Massage Therapy
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Massage Therapy 2022

5,000 Years of Relaxation and Pain Relief

You might think that massage therapy is a modern trend that natural healing practitioners are pushing. Massage therapy is part of a traditional holistic system of healing methods that began about 5,000 years ago.

Massage is a great tool for relaxation, pain relief, easing muscle tension and more. Massage therapy involves using different pressures, movements and techniques to manipulate muscles and other soft tissues in the body. With a goal of slowing down your nervous system, massage therapy can be used to release stress and tension, provide relief from symptoms, heal injuries and support wellness.

The future of mental health care is more than awareness...
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Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy = Touch Therapy

Massage Therapy

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MASSAGE AND WHAT THEY ARE

  • Swedish
  • Deep tissue
  • Aromatherapy
  • Sport
  • Trigger point
  • Lymphatic
  • Shiatsu
  • Cranial sacral
  • Abhyanga
  • Thai
  • Myofascial

Swedish

Swedish massage is a type of massage therapy that’s primarily known for its relaxation effects. With this technique, a massage therapist targets muscles with a combination of friction, gliding strokes, and kneading.

Also known as classical massage, this technique is the most common form of massage therapy in Western countries. It’s also considered a core technique that led to the creation of other types of massage therapy. It can help release muscle knots, and it’s also a good choice for when you want to fully relax during a massage.

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage is a massage technique that’s mainly used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and sports injuries. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues. This helps to break up scar tissue that forms following an injury and reduce tension in muscle and tissue.

It may also promote faster healing by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy massages combine soft, gentle pressure with the use of essential oils. Your massage therapist will usually decide which essential oils to use, but you can let them know if you have a preference. Essential oils are diluted before being applied to the skin.

Sport

A sports massage can be done as a full-body massage or on specific parts of the body that need the most attention. Deep pressure may be alternated with soothing strokes, depending on your needs.

Sports massage uses hands-on techniques to manipulate the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the body. Sports massage works to improve the efficiency of the musculoskeletal system and is increasingly popular amongst elite sports performers.

Trigger Point

Trigger point massage is best suited for people who have injuries, chronic pain, or a specific issue or condition.

Sometimes, areas of tightness in the muscle tissues, known as trigger points, can cause pain in other parts of the body. By focusing on relieving trigger points, this type of massage can reduce pain.

A 2018 review found that treatment of head and neck muscles with trigger point therapy may reduce frequency, intensity, and duration of tension and migraine headaches, though more research is needed.

Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD). Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body’s waste. A healthy, active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue to do this.

However, surgery, medical conditions, or other damage can cause fluids to build up in your lymph system and your lymph nodes, a condition known as lymphedema.

If you’ve ever had a surgery on or involving your lymph nodes, your doctor may have suggested lymphatic drainage massage performed by a certified massage or physical therapist.

A 2021 review of 17 studies found some evidence that MLD in early stages following breast cancer surgery may help prevent progression to clinical lymphedema, though it may not provide any benefit for moderate to severe lymphedema.

Shiatzu

Shiatsu massage is a Japanese type of massage and is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension.

A 2018 study found that self-shiatsu significantly improved sleep quality and daytime fatigue in a group of young athletes with sports-related concussions.

Shiatsu massage works the whole body, but your therapist may focus on areas that need extra attention.

Cranial sacral

Cranial sacral therapy or craniosacral massage is a type of bodywork that helps release compression in the bones of the head, low back, and spine. Cranial sacral therapy (CST) is sometimes also referred to as craniosacral therapy. It’s a type of bodywork that relieves compression in the bones of the head, sacrum (a triangular bone in the lower back), and spinal column.

CST is noninvasive. It uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to relieve the stress and pain caused by compression. It can, as a result, help to treat a number of conditions.

The idea behind cranial sacral therapy is that gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis, can help the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system. It can also produce deeply relaxing results.

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is a type of oil massage from the system of Ayurvedic medicine. The oil is warmed and gently massaged all over the body. This type of massage focuses on nourishing the skin rather than deeply massaging the muscles.

Thai

Thai massage is best for people who want a more active form of massage and want to reduce and relieve pain and stress. It can also help improve: flexibility – circulation – energy levels
Thai massage works the entire body using a sequence of movements that are similar to yogic stretching. Your therapist will use their palms and fingers to apply firm pressure to your body. You’ll also be stretched and twisted into various positions.

You can wear loose, comfortable clothing during the massage.

Myofascial

Myofascial release therapy is another type of bodywork that involves releasing stiffness in the fascia, the connective tissue system that contains each muscle in the body. Your therapist will massage and stretch any areas that feel tense with light pressure.

Myofascial release is a type of physical therapy often used to treat myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder caused by sensitivity and tightness in your myofascial tissues. These tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body. The pain usually originates from specific points within your myofascial tissues called “trigger points.”

Myofascial release focuses on reducing pain by easing the tension and tightness in the trigger points. It’s not always easy to understand what trigger point is responsible for the pain. Localizing pain to a specific trigger point is very difficult. For that reason, myofascial release is often used over a broad area of muscle and tissue rather than at single points. Most myofascial release treatments take place during a massage therapy session. Some chiropractors and traditional medical practitioners may also offer it.






Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy

Remember… You are not your body. Your body represents what you eat, what you think, what you feel and what you believe… Pain is a way your body can communicate with you. Learn to LISTEN.

Susan

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