For a time, massages were seen as a luxury only available through spas and upscale health clinics. Today, however, as more people have realized the benefits of massage therapy, there are numerous opportunities and facilities. Massage therapy is now offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals, airports, and even shopping malls. If you are looking to get massage therapy for the first time, there are a few considerations and benefits to think about.
A massage is a general term for a process that requires pressing, rubbing, and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Different types of massage therapy range from light touching to deep pressure. A Swedish massage is a gentle technique that involves kneading and circular movements to help you relax and feel energized. A deep tissue massage uses slower, more forceful pressure to target the deeper muscle and connective tissue layers. A deep tissue massage is used to help with muscle damage and pain. A sports massage is another gentler approach geared towards athletes to help prevent and treat injuries. Finally, trigger point massage techniques target tight muscle fibers that form after injuries or heavy use.
From injuries to relaxation, there are many reasons why you might choose to see a massage therapist. Depending on the type of massage, they can be used to treat certain health conditions, relieve pain, or improve your overall wellness. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of massage therapy.
1. Pain Relief from Massage
There are many reasons why you might experience back pain or discomfort in your neck and shoulders. If you have this type of chronic pain, you know it can be frustrating to find relief or get comfortable. Additionally, pain in the back or neck could also lead to frequent headaches and other pains elsewhere. Pain relief is one of the major effects of massage therapy. Aside from relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow, many also believe that pain is relieved because the touch receptors in the area are activated and block pain signals coming from your brain.
2. Improved Mood
Massages were so tied to fancy hotels and high-end spas because they were the epitome of relaxation. Massage therapy has been shown to have an impact on hormones. During massages, studies have shown that the stress hormone cortisol drops by more than 30 percent. Additionally, the “happy” hormones like dopamine and serotonin are known to rise by the same amount during massage therapy. Aside from hormones, pain receptors under the skin can stimulate the vagus nerve to calm your nervous system, slow your heart rate, and lower your blood pressure. Stress relief and improved mood are benefits of soothing massage therapy.
3. Muscle Recovery Massage
After a tough workout, your muscles can be inflamed and sore. While this is a good sign that your workout was beneficial, it also means that you might be in some pain. Massage techniques promote increased blood flow that can help alleviate muscle soreness faster and encourage recovery. Additionally, massages after a workout can have a protective impact and prevent soreness in the future. If your muscles ache or burn after a tough workout, you might consider massage therapy instead of skipping the gym the next day.
4. Help During Pregnancy
Pregnancy can have a significant impact on many parts of your body. Many pregnant women have prenatal massages to help improve circulation. During pregnancy, blood cells are tasked with more jobs, and it can decrease your blood volume, causing problems for you and the baby. Massage techniques promote blood flow and help improve circulation to help keep your vascular system healthy during pregnancy.
No matter if you’ve had a tough workout, have chronic headaches, or need to relieve some stress, massage therapy can provide many health benefits. You can speak with your doctor to better understand the effects of massage therapy and decide if it is right for you.
