The Health Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a therapeutic treatment that uses gentle manipulation of the soft tissue of the body. Massage techniques are most commonly carried out with hands, fingers, thumbs, elbows, forearms, ankles, feet, or even a specialized device. The main purpose of massage is usually the relief of pain or body tension. Massage therapy was introduced in the Western world after the Renaissance.
The uses of massage therapy
Massage therapy is an effective tool to reduce chronic pain, improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, and eliminate emotional and mental stress. It can be used on its own or as part of other treatments such as deep tissue massage, sports massage, and other specialties such as geriatric and pregnancy massage. The purpose of reducing or eliminating chronic pain is to improve quality of life, decrease patient fatigue, and allow patients to resume daily tasks. Studies have shown that massage therapy is particularly helpful in the reduction of chronic pain among geriatric patients. To know more about the benefits of massage therapy click here.
The method
The massage technique is often associated with friction or gentle rubbing pressure. In massage therapy, the hand or the larger parts of the body using it are stroked or kneaded using massage strokes of different frequencies and/or intensity. This action creates tiny tears in the deep layers of the soft tissues of the body using friction or kneading motion. These tears in the soft tissues, known as microtrauma, release pressure and allow the release of relaxing energy or chi. Massage therapists believe that this chi energy flowing through the body using the microtrauma can move toxins and remove plaque from the body using friction and kneading strokes.
A massage therapist works with the client lying on a massage table. The person's muscles are manipulated to reduce tension and stress by applying slow, light, and coordinated pressure. The length and depth of the strokes depend on the client's condition. Most commonly, a massage therapy session begins with a client lying on a massage table under a sheet of foam, which is then placed over the client's body. A compression garment such as a heating pad is then put over the client's body to reduce stress, and the therapist begins to manipulate the muscles.
Wrapping up
Massage therapy may relieve stress, tension and help maintain or improve physical health. It may also help to manage or reduce the symptoms of common illnesses. But regular massage therapy may not always be able to heal or prevent conditions. When there is no proper follow-up care, massage therapy may sometimes make things worse. Therefore, it is important to consult a medical professional before beginning massage therapy and ask him or her to give you a referral to a good and reputable massage therapist.
