You’ve heard all about the benefits of massage therapy and all the different types of massage, but you haven’t made the leap yet. You had so many questions.
What is the benefit of massage? What kind of massage do I need? What do I wear, or don’t wear?
Here are short overview of the different types of massage therapy to choose from, what to expect during your first massage, and other important details to know.
What is massage therapy? Performed by a licensed massage therapist, massage therapy involves using pressure, movement, and different techniques to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues in the body. With the goal of slowing your nervous system down, massage therapy can be used to release stress and tension, relieve symptoms, heal injuries, and support health.
Many people say that massage can seriously relax your mind and body, and you already know that a firm massage has impressive health benefits, such as better blood circulation, increased immunity, relieving anxiety, and even improving sleep quality. But beyond the obvious, there’s a lot to ask about the wonders of massage. Some therapies are quite close and personal, so in order to avoid awkward moments, wasted money, and (most importantly) potential pain, it’s important to know about them.
Deep Tissue Massage
Often used for chronic problems, deep tissue massage is usually more focused on a specific area of the body. A deeper, specific massage can be intense but painless. This work is beneficial for correcting postural and muscular imbalances.
Swedish Massage
This is a general massage and something you will often receive in a spa setting. Soothing the nervous system with long, relaxing strokes, the Swedish massage is great for reducing stress.
Swedish massage is a great place to start for those new to massage therapy. Your therapist can treat your whole body or tailor your treatment to the specific problem area you have.
Reflexology
Dedicated to the feet only, reflexology works by working with specific acupressure points on your feet and ankles. Reflexology theory states that there are appropriate points on the feet for every area of your body.
Headache? Rub the space between your big toe and big toe to soothe it.
Sports Massage
Used before, after, and between sporting events, this type of massage is adapted to specific athletes. Designed to increase performance, prevent injury and reduce recovery time, sports massage is beneficial for every stage of training.
Before the massage, provide your therapist with your complete medical history. No, you don’t have to include the appendicitis you had when you were 10. However, make a list of all current relevant medical problems. Most therapists will ask you to complete a detailed intake form, which will give you the opportunity to do so.
Benefits of Massage You Should Know
