Massage Therapy

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Pain Management

Swedish massage can help manage chronic pain caused by conditions like sciatica and osteoarthritis Tell your massage therapist about the parts of your body that are in pain, so she can target those areas using a stroking motion to increase blood circulation and smooth out muscle tension – both of which help reduce pain..

The benefits of increased blood flow

Your massage therapist will use long, stroking motions in the direction of your heart to increase your blood flow by “opening” the blood vessels. This ensures your muscles are getting enough nutrients and oxygen. Your body will also remove disease-causing toxins more efficiently.

Rehabilitation for muscle injuries

Using kneading and friction, your massage therapist will treat existing injuries like adhesions, which is scar tissue that can bind muscle tissue together. This can cause stiffness, limit flexibility, and cause pain. By relaxing the muscles, you can experience relief.

Increased flexibility

When adhesions are “broken up” you now have a wider range of motion. To help prevent injuries and get the most of your workouts, it’s recommended to use a combination of massage and stretching.

Reduced stress

There’s nothing like an expert massage in tranquil setting to relax you, physically and mentally. In fact, massage therapy can lower the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. This can reduce or eliminate tension headaches, boost your energy, and help you sleep better.

Improved Immune System

Another benefit of lower cortisol levels: your immune system grows stronger. That means you’ll be sick less and enjoy life more.

Massage Techniques

There are many different massage techniques. Swedish massage, sometimes called classic massage, works well for tension relief because it can loosen tight muscles, especially in the lower back, shoulders, and neck.

Swedish massage is also very relaxing, making it an ideal introduction to massage for those new to the treatment.

Deep tissue massage, as its name implies, goes after the inner layers of your muscles, tendons, and fascia (dense connective tissue) to increase blood circulation and reduce inflammation. It uses similar techniques as Swedish massage, but the massage therapist applies stronger pressure.

Deep tissue massage is ideal for people with injuries and athletes, as well as those facing fibromyalgia, lower back pain, and other conditions that cause chronic pain.

A sports massage is perfect for helping with recovery after sports and even preventing sport-related injuries.

There are two types of sports massage: pre-activity and post-activity massage.

Pre-activity is all about reducing the changes you’ll get injured by using stretching to achieve a full range of motion.

Post-activity massage focuses on helping injured muscle tissue (and relieving soreness) by removing soreness-causing toxins.

Important things to consider before your massage:

Let your massage therapist know about the injuries you’ve suffered. Make sure they understand the severity of your injuries, when they happened, and if you’re in pain.
Be clear about comfort levels. Let your massage therapist know if there are parts of your body you do not want touched.
What are your expectations? Think about the purpose of your massage. Is for simple relaxation or recovery from injury?
How much pressure? Tell your massage therapist the level of pressure you want.
Pre-massage prep. Take a warm shower or soak in the tub.
Stay hydrated. Be sure to drink water before and after your massage

What happens during the massage?

Talk to your massage therapist about your problem areas, which is why you are there in the first place. It’s important to note that how undressed you are is up to you. Of course, any areas you need worked on should be exposed.

The massage therapist will work on your problem areas, kneading and stroking as needed. After the massage, the therapist will leave the room to allow you to get dressed.