Benefits of Massage
MASSAGE: It’s
real medicine
The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase
health and wellness.
Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissue
in the body for the purpose of normalizing them. Practitioners use a variety of methods including applying
fixed or moveable pressure, holding, or causing movement to the body. Therapists
primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms & elbows.
Touch is the core ingredient of massage therapy
and also combines science and art. Practitioners learn specific techniques for massage and use their
sense of touch to determine the right amount of pressure to apply to each person
and locate areas of tension and other soft-tissue problems. Touch
also conveys a sense of caring, an important component
in the healing relationship.
When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate
in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness and even muscle spasm.
Massage improves circulation, which increases blood
flow, bringing fresh oxygen to the body tissues. This
can assist the elimination of waste products, speed
healing after injury, and enhance recovery from
disease.
Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general
well-being & enhance self-esteem,
while boosting the circulatory & immune systems to benefit blood pressure,
circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. It
has been incorporated into many health systems,
and different massage techniques have been developed
and integrated into various complementary therapies.
Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage:
- Strengthens the immune
system
- Treats musculoskeletal problems
- Rehabilitation
post operative
- Rehabilitation after injury
- Reduces blood
pressure
- Improves circulation of blood & movement
of lymph fluids
- Helps relieve stress & aids
relaxation
- Helps Relieve muscle tension & stiffness
- Fosters
faster healing of strained muscles & sprained
ligaments; reduces pain & swelling; reduces
formation of excessive scar tissue
- Reduces muscle
spasm
- Provides greater joint flexibility & range
of motion
- Enhances athletic performance; treats
injuries caused during sport or work
Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy:
- Fosters
Peace of Mind
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental
alertness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability
to monitor stress signals & respond
appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm thinking & creativity
- Emotional
benefits
- Satisfies needs for caring nurturing
touch
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Reduces levels
of anxiety
- Creates body awareness
- Increases awareness
of mind body connection
Which massage is best for you?
SWEDISH
If you just ask for a massage, it’s
probably what you’re getting. Expect
long, gentle, soothing stokes and general relaxation. With concentration
to areas that may be stiff or painful. The
therapist will use their hands and fingertips
with moderate to light pressure.
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
It’s more intense than Swedish. The therapist targets the muscles
and tendons just under the skin and the deeper ones by using more pressure. Stretches
may be included
HOT STONE MASSAGE
The therapist rests and moves hot
stones along your body. The
stones are heated in water, applied to the
body the heat increases blood flow to the
muscles.
AROMATHERAPY
This is a Swedish massage combined
with essential oils. The essential
oils are custom blended for the individual and their needs. The
oils enter the body thru the skin for a very
deep sense of relaxation.
What can you except during a massage?
No matter what kind of massage you
choose you should feel calm and relaxed during
and after your massage. When you go for a
massage you can expect to:
*Answer a few questions. You will be asked to fill
out a brief medical history, if there are any areas of pain. The
massage therapist will speak with you before the treatment about any issues you
may have.
*Disrobe. You will be asked to undress and lay
on the massage table. You will be completely covered. The therapist
will leave the room and knock on the door to see if you are ready to begin. The
massage therapist will keep you properly covered at all times and make you feel
comfortable.
*Have oils and lotions used on the skin. Massage therapist
use oils, lotion, cream and or gel during a treatment to reduce friction while
massaging the body. Most are hypoallergenic. If you’re allergic to
any ingredients commonly found in body oils or lotion tell you’re massage therapist.
*Never feel significant pain. Pain that’s more significant
than momentary discomfort could indicate that something is wrong. If a massage
therapist is pushing too hard, tell him or her to ease up on the pressure. Your
massage therapist should receive feedback from you to determine how best to massage
you. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels
like a knot. It’s likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist
works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.
*Spend about an hour. Most table massages take
about an hour up to two hours. Actual hands on time is 55 minutes. Allowing
time for dressing and undressing.
A HEALTH CARE TOOL
For many conditions and injuries, massage may be a means to help you
feel more relaxed and less anxious and to reduce pain. And will give you
better range of motion and flexibility. It’s one of several useful tools
for managing your health, BUT IT DOES NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF STANDARD
MEDICAL TREAMENT. ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSCIAN WHEN SEEKING TREAMENT.
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