With today's high-stress lifestyles and careers, massage therapy may be one form of treatment many people are indulging in to help de-stress, relieve tension, or simply get some alone time full of pampering. Generally speaking, Massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues. While pressure can range from light to deep, it can be one of the most pleasurable experiences a human being can enjoy. Since ancient times, massage has been used as a treatment for stress or pain. It is most commonly known to relieve tension in your muscles, reduce muscle soreness. reduce anxiety and help you relax. Interestingly, there are many other benefits that go far beyond stress and pain relief. Massage is also known for releasing natural painkillers in your body, and it even boosts your immune system!
There are a wide variety of massage styles available. Here are some examples:
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue Massage • Sports Massage
Chair Massage
Stone Massage
Geriatric Massage
Pregnancy Massage • Baby Massage
Reflexology
Energy Work
Thai
Hot stone Aromatherapy massage
Trigger point
Shiatsu
The best option is to give them all a try and see what works best for you. Everyone seems to have their own favorite.
Receiving a massage on a regular basis can have a great impact on your physical and mental health:
1. Better sleep. If you’ve never had a massage before, you’ll be amazed by how well you sleep that night. There’s a lot of speculation on why massage helps your ability to sleep, but there’s no doubt that it does. If you struggle to sleep, get a massage and see for yourself how much it helps. 2. It undoes the damage of sitting all day. A massage might be the most perfect cure for the harm that sitting all day causes to your body. It will help to straighten out your back and neck. Massage will decompress your spine and make you feel years younger. If you spend all day sitting in a chair, a massage is a necessity. 3. Massage is a great relaxer. You’ll never feel more relaxed than you will after a good massage. It seems to squeeze all the stress out of your body and leave you feeling like a sleepy, relaxed teddy bear. 4. It increases white blood cell count. Massage has been shown in numerous medical studies to boost white cell count. It boosts your immune system and reduces the likelihood of becoming sick. 5. Massage enhances focus. Relaxation and focus are related. Massage has the ability to clear your mind and allow you to focus more intently. Those that struggle to focus on a task often find that massage is helpful in this regard. 6. Reduced depression symptoms. Again, no one is sure why, but a regular massage helps to prevent depression. It also reduces the symptoms of depression when you’re feeling down in the dumps. If you've been feeling emotionally under the weather, a massage is worth a try. 7. Enhanced posture. Studies show that massage can help your posture. If you’re prone to slumping or hanging your head forward, massage might be the answer. Many people report feeling taller after a massage. This is the result of better posture. 8. Increased flexibility. Flexibility is primarily a function of nervous tension. Massage helps to lower the amount of tension in the muscle. Enhanced flexibility is the result. 9. Reduced pain. It might be logical to assume that massage would increase pain when you consider that the massage therapist is squeezing, pushing, and pulling on your body. However, the opposite is true. The massage itself could be painful temporarily, but you’ll feel less pain after the massage than before. 10. Injury prevention. Massage does wonderful things for your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Many professional athletes receive regular massages to help treat and prevent injuries.
Possible Risks of Massage Therapy Massage is generally safe as long as it's offered by a trained therapist. However, massage isn't the best de-stressing method for everyone, and you should seek the advice of your physician if you have certain conditions, such as: • Burns or open wounds in areas to be massaged • A recent heart attack • Cancer - you'll want to avoid direct pressure on the tumor area • Deep vein thrombosis • Unhealed fractures • Rheumatoid arthritis in the area to be massaged • Severe osteoporosis Some other risks may include internal bleeding, nerve damage or temporary paralysis if the massage is done improperly. Make certain the therapist you choose is licensed and has the proper training. Before making an appointment for a massage, consider the possible risks and talk to your physician. This will help ensure your safety and make your massage a rewarding one.
What to Expect During a Massage
Questions & Concerns. Your therapist should ask you about any health concerns, why you're seeking a massage, and if there are any medical conditions that they should be aware of.
Clothing. Expect to disrobe, unless you're receiving a chair massage. Most likely, you'll be expected to remove most of your clothing and given a robe to wear during the massage.
Positioning. Most massages require that you lie down during your massage and roll over from front to back or vice versa. You'll also experience hands-on touching, but it should never be inappropriate.
Allergens. Oils and lotions that contain scent are typically used during massage. If you're allergic to certain scents, oils, or lotions, ask your therapist for an alternative.
Pain. You should never feel more pain than temporary discomfort often experienced while the therapist works out a knot or on a sore muscle area.If you're experiencing pain greater than temporary discomfort, tell your therapist right away.
If you’ve never had a massage, you’re in for a treat. If you’ve had a massage, why aren’t you having them more often?Massage is a great activity to include in your health regimen.