What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy consists primarily of hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, specifically, the muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints for the purpose of optimizing health.
Massage therapy treatment has a therapeutic effect on the body and optimizes health and well-being by acting on the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. Physical function can be developed, maintained and improved; and physical dysfunction and pain and the effects of stress can be relieved or prevented through the use of Massage Therapy.
Types of Massage
- Swedish Massage is perhaps the most popular type of massage therapy. It is comprised of five basic strokes: effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking.
- Lymphatic Massage aims to stimulate the body’s lympha system by applying light, gentle, repetitive strokes. A healthy lymph system requires that muscle cells are able to contract smoothly in the walls of lymph vessels so that muscles can shepherd lymphatic fluid through the vessels, lymph nodes, and the rest of the body. Lymphatic massage isn’t fit for those looking for a more intense, hard-pressured massage. Instead, it is excellent for those who want to detox their body of toxins or to reduce swelling post injury or surgery.
- Deep Tissue Massage utilizes slow friction and deep pressure on areas of the body that are dealing with chronic muscle tension, aches, or pain. It is helpful for people who have hypertension in various areas on the body, such as the neck or shoulders, in order to focus on a particular complaint. It can be used in combination with other massages to balance the experience.
- Prenatal Massage helps reduce swelling, back and neck pain and improves circulation in pregnant women.
- Sports Massage is one of the fastest growing forms of treatment for athletes to help prevent injuries and to enhance performance. The therapist applies a range of techniques including therapeutic soft tissue massage, gentle mobilization and stretching techniques to restore function to muscles and joints before, during and following sporting participation. Sports therapy is founded upon an intimate understanding of the structure and biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Sports Massage is becoming increasing popular as more and more people are turning to natural healing.
- Trigger Point Therapy utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. A trigger point is an area within soft tissue structures that is characterized by local tenderness and/or referred phenomena which can include pain, tingling, numbness burning or itching. The therapist applies firm pressure to these points which helps to clear the trigger point by repeatedly flushing the blood and accumulated toxins out of the trigger point. This creates conditions that foster healing.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
• Reducing or eliminating pain.
• Improving joint mobility.
• Improving circulation.
• Improving lymphatic drainage.
• Reducing muscular tension.