Making the Most of Massage Therapy
When most people think of massages they think of relaxation. While it's true that a good massage is one of the best ways to relax and unwind, massages also have healing effects.
Massage is the manipulation of soft tissues, typically by stroking or kneading with the hands. Areas targeted by massage include the muscles, joints and lymphatic areas. Massage is a great tool for healing injuries such as back pain, ridding a person of stress and boosting circulation.
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What is Massage Therapy?
Massage is a very hands-on therapy, which makes some people uncomfortable. However, once a person experiences a massage for the first time, he or she will more than likely enjoy the experience. For most massages, a massage therapist will ask the patient to lie on a massage table. He or she will then drape the patient with a cloth before beginning the massage.
Massages can either be relaxing and comfortable, with the massage therapist using gentle strokes, or they can be deeper massages in which the therapist vigorously kneads the tissue. While massage plays a part in healing and can make the entire body feel good, it particularly affects the musculoskeletal, lymphatic and nervous systems.
Massages can also accomplish the following:
- boost a person's energy
- creat an overall sense of peace and relaxation
- speed up the healing process.
Although no risks are involved with massage therapy, massage is not recommended for people who have certain infectious disease or who are prone to blood clots.
Depending on the patient's needs, many types of massage therapies are available, including:
- aromatherapy massages
- craniosacral massages
- holistic massages
- lymphatic massages
- reflexology massages
- shiatsu massages
- sports therapy massages
- Swedish massages.
Sports Therapy Massage
Sports therapy massage is often a combination of Swedish massage and shiatsu. This particular field of massage has grown increasingly popular, as it can increase performance in athletes, whose bodies can become tense and tired after hours of competition and practice. It is also a proactive way for athletes to avoid injuries and can help lower an athlete's heart rate and blood pressure, boost blood circulation and rid the body of any lingering pain and tension.
What is Holistic Massage Therapy?
Much like sports therapy massage, holistic massage therapy is another form of massage that is highly effective and beneficial to the body. Many of the practices used in holistic massage therapy are based on ancient Eastern methods that treat the mind, body and soul as one unit. According to some practitioners, massage is a good way to move a person's life force throughout the body, thus putting a person back in balance.
Water Massage Therapy
In water massage therapy, a person floats in a warm pool of water while a massage therapist stretches them. Sometimes, water massage machines, which massage a person with targeted jets of water, are also used in water massage therapy. Water massage therapy is a great way to unwind and can increase a person's circulation, reduce muscle tension and lower blood pressure.
Massage Therapies for Arthritis
Anyone who has suffered with arthritis will tell you that they would do anything to get rid of the pain. One way to alleviate arthritis pain is through massage therapies for arthritis. People with arthritis particularly benefit from reflexology, Swedish massage and shiatsu. Massages therapies for arthritis can also rid the body of toxins that could crystallize in the blood and joints and aggravate arthritis.
Massage Therapies for Stress and Pain
Studies have shown that with the proper massage therapy, stress can be eliminated and pain can be decreased. When people seek massage therapies for stress and pain, a massage therapist will typically perform what is known as therapeutic massage.
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