Are you thinking about getting a massage? Are you wondering whether or not it will do any good to your body? Well, massage therapy has proven fruitful when it comes to various physical and mental issues. Here is what you need to know about massage therapy and the benefits you can enjoy.
What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy refers to the manipulation of your soft tissues by a trained, certified masseuse. These soft tissues include skin, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue and muscles. A massage therapist relies on various degrees of movement and pressure to ensure the best result. Massage therapy is actually integrative medicine. Currently, there are numerous medical centers offering massage therapy as part of regular treatment. Massage therapy is categorized into various distinct categories such as the following.
- Myotherapy involves assessing and treating soft tissue pain and injury that might affect overall movement. It’s a massage therapy category that restores and maintains the health and function of the structure of the soft tissue in the human body.
- Remedial involves assessing, treating and rehabilitating the symptoms and causes of biomechanical dysfunction or injury. This type of massage therapy involves the use of specific mobilization techniques to restore normal health and function in the body.
- Therapeutic massage therapy is also referred to as Swedish or Western massage. It’s one of the most common types of massage therapy that promotes overall relaxation of the whole body. This type of massage therapy also promotes relaxation and overall blood circulation.
- Lymphatic drainage refers to a gentle massage treatment that aims to relax the nervous systems thereby improving the immune system.
- Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils from flowers and plants together with massage oil to provide various therapeutic benefits. Some scents have been found to reduce nervous tension.
- Baby massage is often used to help reduce colic, constipation and sleeping issues in infants and toddlers. Also, baby massage therapy can help premature babies to gain weight faster.
- Reflexology involves massaging and applying pressure to the reflex points in the body. These areas respond to pressure thereby stimulating the natural healing process of the body.
- Shiatsu refers to an oriental type of massage that improves overall energy flow by working on certain areas of the body. It works similarly to acupuncture.
- Sports massage is usually applied to athletes before or after their sporting activity to reduce sore muscles or injuries. It involves the use of various massage techniques to improve overall performance. It also improves the overall recovery of overworked muscles.
What Are The Top Physical Benefits Of Massage Therapy?
If you are thinking of getting any type of massage therapy as mentioned above, you should know the various types of benefits you can enjoy. These include the following.
- Relieving Muscle Pain
Do you have sore muscles? Well, massage therapy can help improve recovery time and reduce the soreness on your muscles accordingly. It helps improve overall circulation to the body thereby improving the overall recovery time for sore muscles. It’s prudent to get a massage after an intensive sports activity to avoid sore or painful muscles.
- Managing Pain
Do you suffer from back or neck pain? Do you have pain in any part of your body? It could be pain caused by an injury or an illness but massage therapy can help manage pain. Most people use prescription drugs for relieving pain but they might lead to an addiction. Therefore, you can sign up for various massage techniques to help you manage pain to avoid overreliance on pain medication.
- Improving Overall Physical Fitness
Athletes and everyone else can benefit from getting massage therapy. It can reduce overall muscle tension, prevent injuries and improve overall exercise performance. Getting a massage is a great way of improving overall physical fitness.
- Improving Sleep
After getting any type of massage therapy, your sleep quality will improve dramatically. Therefore, if you have been having restless sleep and have tried everything else out there, maybe a massage might be the answer you need. Getting a massage promotes relaxation and sleep so try it today to improve your sleep quality effortlessly.
Final Thoughts
Massage therapy has been used for many years by various individuals. However, you should be cautious about getting a massage if you are pregnant, have skin rashes, have fractures or have a life-threatening illness unless advised by a physician. Get massage therapy today to enjoy these and many more benefits.