Massagetherapy is a form of manual therapy that involves moving soft tissues in the body to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, and promote relaxation and overall well-being. It is a hands-on technique performed by trained massage therapists.
Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, if you need a massage, you can choose from about 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. These all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Sometimes, even forearms, elbows, or feet are used.
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, approximately 21% of Americans had some form of massage in 2020. And they have a wide range of reasons for doing so. More and more people, especially baby boomers, recognize the health benefits of massage. They choose among many massage styles to get relief from symptoms or heal injuries, help with certain health conditions, and promote overall wellness.
You may have noticed that different massage styles are popular at different times. And you may have wondered whether each was just part of a passing fad or the latest, greatest massage technique. An even more important question is how to tell whether the latest style will actually help you.
Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Some massage therapists use oils and lotions, others do not. Most massage therapists have clients unclothe for a massage, but some do not. A massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
Before you can decide which massage style is best for you, you need to ask yourself a question. Do you simply want a massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition? Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you're looking for and ask which style the therapist uses. Many use more than one style. The therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.
The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with the movement of joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.
Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage may be therapeutic, relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprains.
Have you ever gone to a county fair, music festival, or conference and envied other people getting chair massages? Or have you ever passed by the chair massage section in an airport? Or maybe you're lucky enough to work at a company that offers 15- to 20-minute massages as a regular benefit. Chair massages are done while you're seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.
A lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage of your tissues designed to help increase the circulation of lymph fluids in your body. Lymph is a protein-rich fluid that moves throughout your body in lymph vessels. It scoops up things like bacteria, viruses, and waste and carries them to your lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes then filter the fluid to get the impurities out of your body. The massage is usually done with light pressure with gentle, long strokes along the skin to increase the movement of lymph through your system.
For this kind of massage, the therapist places warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. The stones may be used as massage tools or temporarily left in place. Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.
Reflexology uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is expected to promote health and well-being.
During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited. Using specially designed massage pillows, the massage therapist will help you get into a comfortable position for this type of massage.
This practice is mostly used to treat headaches, migraines, neck and back pain, stress-related disorders, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and certain neurological conditions. During a cranial sacral massage session, a trained therapist uses light touch and subtle movements to assess and address any imbalances or restrictions in the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
During a trigger point massage session, a trained therapist applies pressure directly to the identified trigger points to help release tension and get rid of pain. The pressure can vary in intensity, and the therapist may use their fingers, knuckles, elbows, or other tools to target the specific areas effectively. The trigger point massage aims to encourage the release of the contracted muscle fibers, improve blood flow to the affected area, and promote relaxation of the muscles.
Your fascia is a connected web of tissues that supports your muscles, bones, organs, and other structures within the body. During a myofascial release session, a trained therapist uses gentle pressure on specific areas of the body to release tightness within the fascial system. The therapist may use their hands, fingers, elbows, or specialized tools to apply pressure and stretch the fascia in a way that encourages it to return to a more relaxed state.
Many types of massage offer benefits beyond simple relaxation. Here are just a few of the health problems that may benefit from massage. However, ask your doctor before using massage for any health condition.
There seems to be a low amount of risk associated with massage therapy. But there have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a nerve injury, blood clot, or bone fracture. The reported cases of side effects are sometimes associated with more intensive types such as deep tissue massage, or they involve patients who might be at increased risk of injury, such as older people.
When looking for a massage therapist, treat it as looking for any other type of medical professional. First, define your goals. Determine what type of massage you're looking for so you can narrow down your search. Ask for recommendations from friends and family. If your inner circle doesn't have a trusted massage therapist they rely on, expand your search online. Check online directories that include reviews. Once you've set your sights on a few professionals, research their credentials. Make sure they are licensed and registered to work in your area. Then, find out what they charge and if that is in your budget. After you have verified that this person seems like a good fit and works in an area that is within a reasonable distance from you, set up a consultation so you can meet them and discuss your concerns. After you have met them, trust your gut on whether this person seems like someone you can trust with your well-being.
Massage therapy is a type of treatment that involves moving the soft tissues in your body to achieve relaxation and overall well-being. There are many types of massage therapy that are done by licensed professionals ranging from hot stone massages to specialty treatments for when you're pregnant. Massage therapy is proven to improve several health conditions. If you think massage therapy is right for you, look into finding the right therapist who specializes in the treatment that will be best for you.
Massage therapy includes a wide range of massages aimed at relaxation and general well-being, while therapeutic massage refers to massage sessions that are specifically designed to address and improve specific health conditions or issues.
Massage therapy is a specific form of bodywork that focuses on manipulating soft tissues through various massage techniques. Bodywork is a more general term that includes a wider range of therapeutic practices, of which massage therapy is one of the many approaches.
Massage therapy is a more general practice focused on relaxation and overall well-being. On the other hand, medical massage is a targeted, outcome-based approach designed to address specific health conditions and injuries under the guidance of health care professionals.
In massage therapy, a massage therapist rubs and kneads the soft tissues of your body. The soft tissues include muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin. The massage therapist varies the amount of pressure and movement.
Even amidst life's toughest challenges, your body is your constant ally, supporting you every step of the way. Massage Heights is committed to helping you live happy and healthier through the power of regular and completely customized massage and facial services.
Diamond Tip Microdermabrasion uses a diamond-encrusted wand to gently exfoliate the surface layer of skin cells. This Add-On service evens skin tone, minimizes the appearance of mild acne scars, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, relieves hyperpigmentation, and more.
Emily Cronkleton is a certified yoga teacher and has studied yoga in the United States, India, and Thailand. Her passion for yoga has laid the foundation for a healthy and inspired life, while her teachers and practice have helped shape her life experience in many ways.
3a8082e126