You might believe that the only thing you can do if you’re anxious and sore is to take some over-the-counter painkillers and get through the day. Victoria Bodner, a certified massage therapist, argues that you don’t have to put up with it.
According to Bodner, massage is a fantastic technique for unwinding, relieving pain, reducing muscle tension, and more. Learn more about the advantages of the common massage methods.
What is massage therapy?
A professional massage therapist uses a variety of pressures, movements, and methods during massage treatment to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues in the body. Massage treatment can be used to relieve stress and tension, treat symptoms, mend injuries, and enhance wellness by slowing down your nervous system. Are you looking for Massage Therapists? Perfect London Massage offer you professional massage treatments at your home.
Types of massage therapy
There are several types and sizes of massages. The following services could be available on a massage therapy menu.
Swedish massage
Do you feel stressed? For serious relaxation, a Swedish massage is the traditional go-to. Swedish massage normally uses a light touch and is a full-body massage. It’s an excellent option for those who have never had a massage. It might assist in calming your nervous system. According to Bodner, Swedish massage is a useful tool for promoting a calm emotional state of mind, which can positively affect your muscles.
Deep tissue massage
Even less physically demanding activities like sitting, driving, or hunching over a laptop can cause your muscles to become stiff over time. Deep tissue massage, according to Bodner, “gets into your muscles and tendons to alleviate that stiffness.” It helps those who have persistent muscle discomfort, generalized muscle tightness, and traumas.
Sports massage
Similar to deep-tissue massages, sports massages concentrate on the muscles that are overworked during sports or other repetitive physical activities. According to Bodner, “athletes and dancers use their bodies differently than the normal individual.” “A massage therapist with sports massage experience can get in there to loosen up tight muscles and treat sports injuries.”
Trigger point massage
Trigger points include knots in the neck and tight areas of the back. A little muscular spasm or tight area in the tissue is what Bodner refers to as a trigger point. The massage therapist targets those areas with targeted, direct pressure during a trigger-point massage. This facilitates their release by boosting blood flow to the affected locations. People with persistent pain may also benefit from this kind of massage.
Myofascial release
A network of connective tissue under the skin is called the fascia. Bodner says, “It supports the muscles and gives us freedom of movement.” Your massage therapist will knead and stretch your muscles and fascia during a myofascial release to relieve tension and tightness. She describes it as a type of deep stretching that is frequently combined with other therapeutic massage techniques. It’s excellent for loosening up tightness in the upper and lower back, as well as the neck and shoulders.
Lymphatic massage
Lymphatic fluid serves a variety of vital purposes, including regulating the body’s fluid balance and eliminating waste. The goal of lymphatic massage is to improve the body’s ability to move lymphatic fluid more easily. Lymphatic massage is beneficial for those who have inflammation, particularly those with conditions like arthritis and those who have undergone mastectomies, which frequently entail the removal of lymph nodes, according to Bodner.
Prenatal massage
Prenatal massages are excellent for relaxing expectant mothers and can assist with the aches and pains associated with growing a baby. According to Bodner, prenatal massages are excellent for relieving hip discomfort and can reduce swelling in the feet and legs. And the baby gains when mom is at ease and in good health.
Health benefits of massage
Although massage therapy may be helpful for anybody, it has been shown to benefit people with a number of illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, stomach issues, and fibromyalgia. Prior to your initial session, make sure you discuss any medical concerns with your therapist. These are a few advantages of massage therapy.
Reduces stress and anxiety
According to a study, the sense of serenity that follows a massage can help lessen tension and anxiety. Your body has two neural systems: the sympathetic nervous system, which controls your “fight or flight” reaction in tense circumstances, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for daily activities that promote relaxation and rest. A massage is believed to boost your parasympathetic response, which helps lessen anxiety-inducing feelings.
Improves sleep
A massage can lower your levels of the stress hormone cortisol and raise your levels of the mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Studies have demonstrated that massage treatment is helpful for people with menopausal and congestive heart failure-related sleeplessness.
Lessens pain and muscle tension
Numerous studies have examined how massage therapy may reduce pain, including severe back pain, neck discomfort, headaches, and knee pain. The findings suggest that alleviation can be transient rather than long-lasting, and in certain circumstances, getting many 60-minute massages a week was more effective than getting fewer or shorter massages.
Improves immune function
How can a massage affect the immune system? According to a study, regular massages boost your body’s production of white blood cells, which fight illnesses.
Relieves constipation
An abdominal massage may aid with bowel motions for people who are experiencing constipation following surgery, according to a research.
Lessens fibromyalgia symptoms
Studies have indicated that employing massage for five weeks may relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes fatigue and pain in the muscles and joints as well as sleep, memory, and mood.
Relieves cancer pain
The physical and psychological toll on those receiving cancer treatments is significant. Many people have turned to massage therapy to reduce their discomfort from cancer, unwind, and enhance their quality of life. Numerous research have been conducted, some of which claim that massage therapy does not reduce cancer pain while others demonstrate a beneficial effect.
Who should try massage therapy?
A massage is a terrific approach to enhance wellness, relieve pain, and more for many of us. Consult your doctor and the massage therapist if you have a medical issue before getting a massage. A prenatal massage can help women who are pregnant reduce pain and edema.
The benefits of visiting a massage therapist are numerous, according to Bodner.
Not sure which massage style is best for you? It’s not necessary to find the ideal massage before making a reservation. In order to address your particular needs, massage therapists actually frequently combine approaches.
The various massage modalities are not mutually exclusive, according to Bodner. “A massage therapist employs a variety of techniques to aid in relaxation, the release of tense muscles, and the treatment of various issues.”