What Happens to Your Muscles During a Golf Swing?

Most of your body is engaged when you swing a golf club. From your shoulders, which provide power during a swing to your core, driving that momentum into a club head, a lot is going on. It can also impact your forearms and lower back, which can lead to stiffness if done repeatedly. Intense muscle contractions are occurring followed by a sudden release, which while it may sound like you’re getting a good workout in, can cause micro-tears and fatigue. 

Common Injuries for Golfers

Proper recovery techniques are essential to rebuild your strength and mitigate body stiffness. Here are some common injuries to look out for:

1. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis):

A golfer’s elbow is a common overuse injury that is caused by repetitive gripping, swinging, and wrist flexion during a golf swing. It results in inflammation of the tendons that attach to the inside of your elbow. Symptoms include pain and tenderness on the inner elbow, weakness in grip strength, and a sensation of stiffness or ache that can extend down the forearm. Without proper recovery and treatment, a golfer’s elbow can significantly impact your performance and comfort while partaking in the sport.

2. Lower Back Strain

The rotational forces required for a strong golf swing often put stress on the lower back, particularly if proper form and posture aren’t maintained. Without proper form, you may experience muscle strains, ligament sprains, or even more serious conditions such as herniated discs. Lower back strain manifests as pain during or after a play, with stiffness, and difficulty in bending or twisting. Addressing these issues early with proper care can help prevent chronic pain and long-term injury.

3. Shoulder Impingements

Repetitive overhead movements and excessive rotation during the golf swing can lead to impingement of the shoulder tendons, particularly in the rotator cuff. An impingement results in pain, reduced range of motion, and weakness in the shoulder, often worsening over time if left untreated. Shoulder impingements can interfere with a golfer’s ability to execute a full, smooth swing.

Preventative Measures for Golfing Injuries

Incorporating regular warm-ups, maintaining proper posture, and focusing on core and flexibility exercises can help mitigate these injuries. Recovery tools like massage therapy are also critical for reducing muscle tension and inflammation, promoting healing, and preventing further strain.

Integrating Theragun® percussive therapy into your wellness routine not only supports injury prevention but also helps you in the recovery process, ensuring you’re always at your best on the links.

When in doubt about your preventative injury or recovery routine, consult your physician for guidance on what is best for you.

How a Massage Benefits Golfers

Golfing targets several major muscle groups in the body. Here are a few ways a massage for golfers can help performance, whether you’re preparing for a tournament or looking to wind down after golfing.

Pain Relief

A massage can help reduce muscle soreness from the repetitive movement of swinging a club and using the same muscle groups over and over.

Injury Prevention

By getting massages regularly, golfers can address tightness that could turn into strains or sprains early on. This also improves muscle elasticity and joint mobility.

Improves Flexibility

Massages can increase your body’s range of motion, relaxing tightened muscles, which can optimize your swing on the golf course.

Massage Therapy for Golfers

At Soothe, we understand the unique physical demands that golfers face and offer specialized sports massage services to support your recovery and performance. Our licensed massage therapists are trained to address muscle groups commonly affected by golfing, such as the forearms, shoulders, and lower back. By focusing on these areas, our sports massages aim to reduce muscle soreness, alleviate tension, and improve flexibility, all of which are crucial for an optimal swing. 

To improve the effectiveness of our treatments, Soothe offers percussive therapy using Theragun®, a device that delivers rapid, targeted pulses to deep muscle tissues. This approach is particularly effective for addressing golfer’s elbow, helping to alleviate pain, reduce stiffness, and improve your range of motion, ensuring a faster and more focused recovery.

Booking a massage with Soothe is convenient and tailored to your schedule. With flexible scheduling options, you can easily incorporate regular massages into your routine, ensuring consistent care and support for your golfing activities, no matter the time of year.

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The question here is: who do you go to first?

Chiropractic care and massage therapy may seem similar, as they both can target movements on one’s back and neck to relieve pain, tightness, or discomfort in those areas. They are quite different, however. In short, chiropractors focus more on addressing the spine and manipulating its alignment while massage therapists focus more on the muscles and connective tissues.

If you are still determining who to start with for your neck, shoulder, or back discomfort, we put together a short guide that goes more in-depth about the differences between chiropractors vs. massage therapists. We also recommend the types of massage that may suit your needs to relieve your own discomfort.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment is a physical, noninvasive approach formulated to restore one’s natural range of movement. The focus of this treatment method is on your spine, joints, and musculoskeletal system. This is a drug-free alternative to approaching pain and discomfort in the body.

The goal of chiropractic care is to address any misalignments in the spine that could be pinching nerves. After this treatment, the body can balance to fix itself. The theory here is that messages from the brain cannot be transmitted properly when their connection is disrupted by misalignment. There is also concern that this could cause lasting health issues if not addressed appropriately. 

A chiropractor will create personalized treatment plans to address one’s unique concerns and needs. This can include one-on-one help with props, the chiropractor’s hands, or movement-based exercises to address sources of pain. An experienced chiropractor should be able to establish a regimen with you that fits your lifestyle. 

State regulatory boards work with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) to set licensing requirements. In most cases, licensing for chiropractors requires a more extensive educational and medical background compared to massage therapists. This makes them an alternative-medicine option to consider if you are unsure of the source of your pain.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a physical, hands-on approach that focuses more on a patient’s muscles and soft tissues. This is typically accompanied by oils and lotions on the body to help relieve muscle tension, pain, and stiffness.

The focus of massage therapy is to provide pain relief and reduce tension. By massaging the muscles, a therapist can improve blood flow to the affected area, which aids recovery. Think of this process as untwisting a tangle in a piece of string or jewelry. There are various methods to manually target where one feels tension to relieve pains or spasms directly at the source. It is common for practitioners to have many techniques mastered, and that is something that can be directly inquired about before an appointment to ensure the provider has the tools and techniques needed to address your specific concerns.

In most states, massage therapists need a license to practice. Licensing requirements may vary, from 500-1000 of training hours required, passing a background check, earning a diploma from an accredited school or program, and passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx). 

With Soothe, your peace of mind is our top priority and we’re proud to have partnered with EvidentID, the trusted solution for our vetting process.

Our community can rest easy knowing that each independent Provider who uses the Soothe platform is fully licensed, insured, and has passed a thorough background check.

Who Should I See For Neck or Back Pain?

This is up to you and your condition. If the pain is severe, a trip to your primary care physician may be necessary. When it comes to a chiropractor vs massage for lower back pain or neck pain, it depends on your source of discomfort.

In some cases, both can go hand in hand to support your treatment needs for pain relief. While a massage can physically relax your muscles and leave you feeling mentally at peace, a chiropractor may help with longer-term effects.

Since a massage is non-invasive, you may experience some relief from your pain with regular massage therapy. The type of massage that you choose may depend on your level of experience and whether your pain is symptomatic of an actual injury. For instance, a Swedish massage, the most common type of Western massage therapy, is relatively gentle, but can help release tension in your muscles, improve circulation, and ease back pain.

Those who are new to massage may find a Swedish massage ideal. It is widely available, and you can find a therapist who can come to you wherever it may fit into your schedule. While this method is primarily for relaxation, it should be noted that the benefits felt immediately after a massage may diminish over time, and regular massages can help with that.

With those who are more experienced with massages and comfortable with more pressure, a deep-tissue massage may suit your needs. Deep tissue massage is a more intense massage experience that reaches the deepest layers of your muscle tissue. You may find more relief with deep tissue massage over time since it works to release chronically tense areas.

If you’re ready to take the first step with a massage, Soothe is here to help you manage your pain and feel better.

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Reflexology (zone therapy) is an alternative therapy method that applies pressure to specific points of the body, such as hands, feet, or ears, to allow the body to relax. This pressure can be varied and targeted to the recipient’s needs.

Though reflexology involves the use of hands, it is not considered a form of massage therapy, technically speaking. Similar to acupressure, reflexology is a complementary therapy that can be used alongside traditional medical treatments. It’s important to note that reflexologists do not diagnose or treat medical conditions; they work to support overall wellness.

How Does Reflexology Work?

In a reflexology session, a practitioner called a reflexologist will apply pressure to various pressure points around the body to improve overall health and wellness.

There are several theories regarding what makes reflexology work. 

One theory comes from traditional Chinese medicine’s belief that the human body is made up of qi, or vital energy. Stress and other negative emotions can block qi, which results in an imbalance of emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual health. Where reflexology comes into play is that there is a belief that it can balance qi.³

A modern theory suggests that reflexology can balance the way that your brain registers pain. When these pressure points are massaged, these relaxing sensations could relieve stress, which can impact the way that you perceive pain.²

A 19th century theory proposes that reflexology stimulates the nervous system. By pressing on various pressure points on the body, it can send messages to the central nervous system. This can help the body relax, and provide various benefits for you.¹

While there are several schools of thought studying reflexology, a 2014 paper claims that reflexology is not a legitimate treatment for any medical condition.⁶

What Can Reflexology Do for You?

Reflexology is something that can be generally applied as an alternative therapy for most conditions. When in doubt, always consult your medical team before booking an appointment.

Potential Benefits of Reflexology

Relaxation

A study shows that a five-minute foot massage resulted in a significant reduction in heart rate and blood pressure, potentially increasing relaxation.⁸

Improved Nerve Functioning

Reflexology can bridge to the central nervous system, targeting and improving what information flows to and from different areas of the body.¹

Healthier Sleep Quality

Balancing the body’s sleep cycle, reflexology can stimulate the nervous system and endocrine glands, allowing people to get more regular sleep.⁵

Stress-Induced Tension Headache Relief

With reflexology’s relaxation qualities, it has been found that this can be extended to improve results on stress-induced conditions, such as tension headaches.⁷

Improvements to Pain Management

By targeting specific areas on the body, the pressure from reflexology can address pain by targeting associated pressure points. This can, for example, include toe reflex point focuses for headache relief, and heel pressure to improve lower back pain.⁴

What Happens During a Reflexology Session?

When it comes to preparing for a reflexology session, just make sure that you are clean and hydrated. Wearing comfortable clothes will also improve your session.

At the beginning of your reflexology session, your reflexologist will begin by asking you questions about your health, diet, lifestyle, and any known conditions. These answers will guide them in developing a specific plan regarding working on particular pressure points in your feet, hands, ears, or a combination of them.

The location will be a soothing one, similar to a spa. Think low lights, soft music, and possibly aromatherapy. You’ll wear something comfortable, and sit back to let the reflexologist do their work. They will be working various pressure points with pressure application, rotation, and finger walking, to name a few methods.

Here’s what they can be looking for when it comes to pressure point work focusing on the feet:

In the foot reflexology chart above, you can see that there are precise mapped spots that reflexologists manipulate in order to meet your wellness goals. Each foot is typically worked on equally during your session.

These sessions are typically 30-60 minutes long, and you will likely leave with a sense of relaxation. Frequency can be determined by what is best for you, which for some may be weekly, others monthly, and even quarterly.

After your session, there really isn’t that much of a recovery time following foot reflexology. Any minor effects such as feeling tired or increased emotions is common, but temporary.

While there is more to be studied and understood about what reflexology is and how reflexology works, the benefits of a self-care routine can improve the quality of life for the recipient immensely.

Soothe has a network of independent reflexologist Pros that can come to your home, hotel, or office to give you the relaxation you need, any day of the week. Book an in-home reflexology massage today. 

Bibliography

1.Begum J. Brain Diseases. WebMD. Published 2024. https://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-diseases
2.Hayes J, Cox C. Immediate effects of a five-minute foot massage on patients in critical care. Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. 1999;15(2):77-82. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/s0964-3397(99)80003-2
3.National Cancer Institute. Complementary and Alternative Medicine. National Cancer Institute. Published May 22, 2024. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam
4.Eghbali M, Safari R, Nazari F, Abdoli S. The effects of reflexology on chronic low back pain intensity in nurses employed in hospitals affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 2012;17(3):239-243. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3696219/
5.Huang H, Chen K, Kuo S, Chen I. Can foot reflexology be a complementary therapy for sleep disturbances? Evidence appraisal through a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2020;77(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14699
6.McCullough JEM, Liddle SD, Sinclair M, Close C, Hughes CM. The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Treatment: A Systematic Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:1-16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/502123
7.Quinn C, Chandler C, Moraska A. Massage Therapy and Frequency of Chronic Tension Headaches. American Journal of Public Health. 2002;92(10):1657-1661. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447303/
8.Wang WL, Hung HY, Chen YR, et al. Effect of Foot Reflexology Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Quality in Adults: A Meta-Analysis and Metaregression of Randomized Controlled Trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020;2020:1-21. doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2654353

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One of the greatest benefits of in-home massage is that there’s no need to travel to receive a spa-quality massage. By ordering a massage to your home, you skip the inconvenience (and the frustration) of parking and driving immediately before or after a massage. Another benefit of enjoying a massage in the comfort of your home is that you can truly customize your experience. Whether you live in an expansive single-family home or a modest studio apartment, you can transform your home into a soothing oasis tailored perfectly to your taste.

Though a massage is sure to be a relaxing experience, there are several ways you can create a relaxing space by preparing for a massage in your home. We compiled our top seven tips to make your at-home massage prep easy

1. Set Aside Space

Clear six feet of space any place in your home that you feel comfortable. This can be in your living room, bedroom, or even backyard. Wherever you decide to set up, make sure that there will be sufficient space for the massage table and massage therapist to move around it. When preparing for massage, you’ll want to make sure your chosen spot is free from distractions like the TV, pets, and other family members so you can truly relax.

2. Give Yourself Privacy

Draw the curtains or blinds in the room you plan on getting your massage in so that you have complete privacy. If you have other family members at home with you, give them a heads up not to bother you until after your massage is complete. When your therapist is finished setting up, they will step into the restroom to wash their hands, giving you privacy to disrobe to your level of comfort and position yourself on the table. Please note, Soothe does not allow fully nude massages.

3. Take A Shower

As part of our Soothe Safe program, we ask that you please shower prior to your therapist’s arrival. Showering before your massage is an important part of upholding our community wellness standards. It also helps in preparing for massage, as the hot water will warm up your muscles and help you feel more refreshed and relaxed. Your therapist will appreciate your consideration, too!

4. Put On Comfortable Clothing

After you’ve showered, indulge in comfortable non-constricting clothing that you can remove easily when it’s time for your massage. Wearing a robe before and after your massage is always a treat. Our Soothe Swedish Robe is the perfect all-season option, with its textured, breathable fabric and comfortable kimono style. If you don’t have a robe, sweats are always a good option.

5. Check In With Your Body

When preparing for massage, take a moment before your session starts to scan your body, starting at the top of your head and extending to the tips of your toes. Do you feel any pain, tension, or stress in specific areas of your body? If so, be sure to tell your therapist so that they can focus on these problem areas.

Consider hydrating and eating a light meal before your massage. This can help you maximize your experience and relax your muscles during the massage. Avoid eating a heavy meal when preparing for a massage at home as it could be uncomfortable, but consider having a meal after the experience to unwind.

6. Silence Your Phone

Make sure to put your phone on silent or do-not-disturb once your therapist arrives. Hearing phone notifications or vibrations will distract your from truly relaxing during your massage.

7. Set the Mood

The final touch to creating a spa day at home is to emulate a spa experience. Our Soothe therapists come prepared with aromatherapy, oils, and music, but they are happy to use your products or music if you prefer. Lighting a candle can make your at-home massage experience a little more luxurious.

Now that you’ve transformed your home into a relaxation-ready oasis, get ready to unwind during your massage and learn how to stay relaxed long after your therapist says goodbye. Preparing for a massage in your home is simple and will make your massage that much more enjoyable.

Ready to book an at-home massage with Soothe? Our top-rated, independent professional massage therapists are available in your area. Book a massage appointment with Soothe today.

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Neck pain is something all of us deal with at some point in life. Studies have proven that massage therapy may help improve a wide variety of different types of neck and shoulder pain. In fact, it’s usually one of the first treatments that come to mind when people experience mild and severe neck pain.

Neck pain is very common. One of the main reasons people experience neck pain is due to bad posture. In fact, nearly 1 in every 5 sessions of massage in the US are booked in order to resolve neck-pain symptoms. If you’re looking to book a massage due to your neck pain, you have a few different options to get relief.

In this article, we’ll be exploring how massage can help with different types of neck pain. If you’re booking a massage to get relief from your neck pain on the Soothe massage app, please make sure you let us know that you’re wanting to get a massage because of your neck pain. You can get the Soothe app on Google Play or Apple.

When it comes to relieving pain in the neck, there’s two types of massage that come to mind over others:

• Deep Tissue Massage: This type of massage uses deep pressure to relieve neck pain.
• Swedish Massage: This massage uses gentle strokes to relieve pain in your neck.

While it’s possible to use other massage types to reduce pain in the neck, these two are the most commonly used.

Here’s the link to book your neck massage with Soothe.

1. Massage for pinched nerves in the neck

Pinched nerves are typically caused by pressure placed on the nerve by joints, muscles, or other structures. Muscle tension and inflammation may be the cause of this pressure. Nerve impingement in either the brachial plexus – located in the shoulder – or disc herniation in the cervical spine can both lead to nerve pain in both the neck and shoulder.

Massage therapy can be a great choice for relieving inflammation in the neck, back, and shoulders, this can help reduce both nerve pain and pressure in those areas.

2. Frozen neck and an appropriate massage treatment

If you have a stiff neck, you already know that it can be a nuisance. While it shouldn’t be time to panic, if your neck stiffness gets worse, you may need to see your doctor. This condition can lead to a sensation of the neck being “frozen” in place, this will limit your movement and significantly affect your normal routine.

The good news, massage is one of the best alternative medicine approaches for treating neck stiffness. Massage can help you improve the mobility of your both neck mobility, which can help you reduce neck pain.

3. Neck strains, sprains, and spasms

Massage of the neck itself may exacerbate symptoms at first, but gentle massage of the back, arms, chest, and legs can also reduce pain in the neck. This is why the Swedish massage is great for neck, back, and shoulder pain. Myofascial release and thorough massage of all the neck, face, jaw, head and throat muscles, this can promote full healing and restore the normal functions of these areas.

For those of you that are active athletes, the right sports massage may be able to help. Sports massage therapy is specifically designed for men and women that live active lifestyles. This massage type has many benefits, so it may be worth exploring if you’re dealing with a neck injury, soreness, or pain.

4. Swedish massage for neck pain

Swedish massage has the ability to lengthen and relax muscles and tissues, this is why it’s a great massage to go with if you’re suffering from neck and shoulder pain. This trial showed notable symptom improvements for neck pain patients receiving Swedish massage on a regular basis. It also stated that patients receiving Swedish massages were able to reduce their pain medication more than other participants who did not receive massage therapy.

Not sure what type of massage to get? Check out our guide on different types of massages and learn how each unique massage can help.

5. Massage for pinched nerves in the shoulder causing neck pain

Pinched nerves can be painful. Even worse, they can cause pain in different areas of your body. For example, a pinched nerve in your back can cause pain in your hips and legs. Due to this, nerve injuries can be difficult to find relief from.

Studies have shown that massage has a positive effect in reducing chronic shoulder pain. Problems from nerves in the shoulder girdle, this is usually coming from the large nerve bundle called the brachial plexus. When this happens, it can lead to pain in the neck, it makes you believe that the neck is the original point of the pain.

When you visit your massage therapist, make sure you’re open and transparent with them. Let them know exactly how you feel. This will help them track down the original source of your pain so that you can find relief, whether it’s coming from the neck, shoulder, or elsewhere. This will also ensure you have the best possible experience.

More massage resources

Soothe has a large library of helpful articles and resources. Be sure to visit the Soothe Help Center here. There, you can find answers to some of the most common massage questions we’re asked.

Here’s some additional links you may find useful.

Book a massage with Soothe

Don’t forget about out Q&A Library also, here you’ll find some of the most common massage questions asked.

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Massage is a great tool for relaxation, pain relief, easing muscle tension and more. Learn more about the common types of massage and their benefits.

What is massage therapy?

Performed by a licensed massage therapist, 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 overall wellness.

Types of massage therapy

There’s a wide variety of different types of massage therapy, massages come in many different shapes and sizes. Here are some of the offerings you might find on a massage therapy menu.

Swedish massage

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed with life, this massage may be able to bring relief. A Swedish massage is the classic go-to for major relaxation. Swedish massage is typically a full-body massage that uses a soft, gentle touch. It’s a great choice for men and women that are brand new to massages. It can help calm your nervous system. Swedish massage is also a good avenue for encouraging a relaxed emotional state of mind which can directly impact your muscles. One of the best massages for both mental and physical rejuvenation.

Deep tissue massage

Repeated activity can make your muscles get tight, you’ll see this a lot with athletes and any person that is active. However, you can get tight muscles from less active activities, this can include driving, sitting, or working on the computer. Deep tissue massage gets into your muscles and tendons to release that tightness, which then can provide pain relief. This massage is a good fit for people with general muscle tightness and chronic muscle pain.

Sports massage

While sports massages and deep tissue massages are similar in many ways, they also differ. A sports massage will often focus on the muscles that take a beating when you play sports or do another repetitive physical activity. Athletes and dancers use their bodies differently than the average person. A massage therapist with experience in sports massage can get in there to break up muscle tightness and address sports injuries.

Prenatal massage

Pregnancy causes a lot of changes to a woman’s body, the added weight alone can cause foot pain, leg pain, hip pain, and lower back pain. Prenatal massages are great for helping moms-to-be relax and can help address the aches and pains of growing a baby. Prenatal massages are wonderful for taking pressure off the hips and can help with swelling in the feet and legs. And when mom is relaxed and feeling well, the baby benefits.

Trigger point massage

Trigger points, or knots in your neck and back, are caused by tiny muscle spasms or tight spots in the tissue. In a trigger-point massage, the therapist uses direct pressure to target those spots and improve blood flow to the areas so they can release. This type of massage can be helpful for people with chronic pain.

Lymphatic massage

Lymphatic fluid has a number of important functions, two important ones include maintaining fluid levels and removing waste products from the body. Lymphatic massage uses a soft touch that’ll help your lymphatic fluid move through the body easier. Lymphatic massage is a great option for people with inflammation and arthritis. It can also be beneficial to people who have had mastectomies, which usually involves the removal of lymph nodes.

Myofascial release

The fascia refers to a web of connective tissue under the skin, it supports the muscles and allows a person to move freely. With a myofascial release, your massage therapist will knead and stretch the muscles and fascia, this is done to work out tightness and tension. This specific massage type is considered to be a form of deep stretching and is often used together with other therapeutic massage techniques. Myofascial release are good for reducing tightness in your back, neck, and shoulders.

Hot stone massage

A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body. If a person is experiencing muscle tightness and pain, insomnia, soreness, or stress, you may want to consider trying a hot stone massage. During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat.

Health benefits of massage

As we learn more about massage therapy and continue to run studies, we’re learning that massage has many benefits. Massage therapy may be beneficial for anyone but it has been noted to help people that suffer from conditions that include cancer, heart disease, stomach problems, inflammation, and fibromyalgia. Before you get your massage, be sure you talk to your massage therapist about any medical issues prior to your first session. You should also consult with your doctor to ensure a massage will be safe for you.

Here are some of the benefits of massage therapy.

Reduces stress and anxiety

That feeling of calm after a massage can aid in reducing stress and anxiety, a study found. Your body has two nervous systems: a sympathetic nervous system that drives your “fight or flight” response in stressful situations and a parasympathetic nervous system that focuses on routine and day-to-day operations that lead to relaxation and rest. A massage is thought to increase your parasympathetic response, which can decrease feelings of anxiety and stress.

Reduce pain, muscle tension and tightness

Many studies have been published that show massage may help reduce pain that includes acute back pain, neck pain, headaches and knee pain. While those results will favor that the relief is short-term, other cases receiving multiple 60-minute massage sessions a few times a week showed longer-term relief.

Improves sleep

Massage has the ability to decrease cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body, it can also increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, these are known neurotransmitters that can stabilize your mood. Studies have shown that massage therapy is beneficial for those who have insomnia related to menopause and congestive heart failure.

Improved blood circulation

Does massage help improve your blood circulation? A 2020 study found that a five minute manual leg massage could significantly increase circulation not only in the affected limb, but in the surrounding areas as well. A 2010 study came to a similar conclusion. Researchers measured the mean skin temperature of 17 healthy volunteers who underwent a 20 minute neck and shoulder massage session. In most cases, the increase in blood flow in the treated and adjacent areas has persisted long after the treatment was finished. 

Improves immune function

Is it possible to boost your immune system with massage? This study suggested that regular massages increase your body’s level of white blood cells, this specific type of blood cells is what attacks bad viruses in your body so you can heal and get better.

Improve energy

Studies have proven that massage therapy is good for you – we do know that it can reduce our fatigue. While massage does not directly increase energy, it helps reduce fatigue and may decrease symptoms that take our energy away, this can result in you feeling better. Studies have taught us that massage therapy can increase circulation, reduce pain and stress, improve our sleep quality and help with our immunity – all of these make us feel better, more energized and less fatigued.

Constipation relief

For anyone that has been dealing with constipation after surgery, this study showed that an abdominal massage may help you with bowel movements. Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in the United States. Approximately 16 out of every 100 American adults experience symptoms caused by constipation.

Regular massages can relieve constipation by helping you release gas and waste products. They may also help treat any underlying or accompanying conditions. For example, regular massage can reduce stress and in turn reduce pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Reduce fibromyalgia symptoms

When it comes to improving mood, sleep, and memory, these studies have shown that using massage regularly for over 5 weeks may improve symptoms of fibromyalgia, this is a chronic illness that causes muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue. This study saw similar results – it shown massage therapy can be effective in easing pain for people who suffer from fibromyalgia.

Relieving cancer pain

For men and women that are taking cancer treatments, the physical, mental, and emotional toll is unprecedented. No words can describe what they’re feeling. Many have turned to massage to help lessen cancer pain, increase relaxation and improve quality of life.

There’s been a fair amount of studies that have been performed to see if massage can help reduce cancer pain. While some of these studies have suggested that massage therapy doesn’t improve cancer pain – others have shown a positive impact.

Who should try massage therapy?

A lot of you reading this article can benefit from massage — it’s a great way to improve wellness, help with pain, ease stress, and much more. If you do have a medical issue, please make sure you check with your doctor and have a conversation with your massage therapist.

For any of you that are pregnant, prenatal massages are safe. In fact, they can be healthy for you and the baby. We still recommend consulting with your treating doctor to ensure massage will be safe for you prior to booking a prenatal massage.

If you do have any questions about massage therapy that weren’t answered here, please be sure to check out our Help Center.

Not sure what type of massage is right for you? No worries, you don’t need find the perfect massage prior to booking an appointment. Many massage therapists specialize in using multiple massage techniques to address your unique concerns. This is why it’s important to tell your massage therapist exactly how you feel, that way they can treat your specific conditions and you can experience a great beneficial massage therapy session.

The different types of massage aren’t exclusive from one another. A massage therapist uses a combination of techniques to help you relax, get rid of tight muscles and address other concerns.

Try a massage with Soothe

Did you know that the Soothe Network of massage therapists are professionally licensed? It’s true, all Soothe massage therapists are required to have a license prior to joining. This ensures you’re going to get a certified therapists for your massage therapy.

And since you can book your massage right at home, you’re just a few clicks away from a professional massage at home! Here’s the link to book your massage.

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Office massage therapy has a lot of benefits and perks, we understand how important employee wellness is. We’ve seen this trend playing out over the last few years. While the pandemic halted employee wellness programs across the world, we’re now starting to see companies once again focus on employee wellness.

In this study, HR.com reported that mental and emotional well-being have surpassed physical well-being as a critical focus for employer wellness programs. In fact, several respondents weighted the most important well-being initiatives as follows:

• Mental and emotional (78%)
• Work environment (70%)
• Physical (66%)
• Financial (56%)
• Social (48%)

In a similar vein, over 64% of companies listed employee mental health as one of their top five HR priorities in WellRight’s survey.

As you can see from the survey, mental health, emotional health, and work environment top the list. Thanks to research and studies, we know that massage can help reduce stress and anxiety. A one-hour massage lowers cortisol in your body while also releasing serotonin. This hormone neurotransmitter is sometimes called the “happy chemical” because it reduces feelings of depression and carries signals between nerves and your body. By lowering cortisol and increasing serotonin, you’re boosting your body’s ability to fight off pain, anxiety and feelings of sadness.

A massage does more than just feel good. It can lower the amount of cortisol in your body. This hormone is produced when your body is stressed. It increases glucose in your bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose and curbs functions that are nonessential in a fight-or-flight situation.

If you’re thinking about adding massage to your employee wellness program or considering launching a new program, it can be very beneficial.

What Is Office Massage?

Office massage generally refers to massage services that are provided for employees at their place of work. This can include both chair massage or table massage. Depending on the massage company you use, a wide variety of different massages may be offered, such as;

• Swedish Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Sports Massage

In some scenarios, office massage events are a one-time occurrence, employers will scheduled them with a spring or summer employee event. Over the last few years, we’ve seen trends moving toward hosting multiple massage events per year. Corporate massage events can occur on a regular basis, they’re usually part of a corporate massage program or some type of wellness initiative offered to employees.

When it comes to hosting corporate massage programs for your employees, these events can occur as many times necessary, or what ever frequency that makes sense for the size of your company. You could have anywhere from one massage therapist once a month, to several massage therapists daily. Or you could fall somewhere in between: a few massage therapists in your office once or twice a week.

Massage programs allow participants to receive regular massage services, which helps them experience the cumulative benefits of massage. Typically, a massage program will be set up with a schedule so employees know when they’ll be getting their massage.

Companies will start a massage program because they want to see an improvement in employee wellness, lowered stress levels, increased concentration at work, and reduced injuries or muscle strain at work.

Why Employers Should Offer Massage To Employees

Companies don’t invest in massage without wanting to achieve specific goals, there’s a reason employers want to offer massage to employees.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why companies use corporate massage programs.

Massage Shows Your Employees You Care: While companies can offer a number of different amenities and perks to employees, massage is one of those that stand out. Massage therapy has many benefits and a large percentage of employees don’t recognize at first because they’ve never had a professional massage before.

When Employees Feel Appreciated, They Work Harder: Appreciation can go a long way, all of us want to feel appreciated for the work we do. 

A study by online career site Glassdoor revealed that more than 80 percent of employees say they’re motivated to work harder when their boss shows appreciation for their work, compared to less than 40 percent who are inspired to work harder when their boss is demanding or because they fear losing their job.

Positive ROI: Investment in perks like massage, reflexology or yoga does have return on investment – if it succeeds in making workers feel supported. At Google, employee satisfaction rose 37% as a result of investing in non-financial employee support initiatives.

Employee Retention: Employees are the heart and soul of your company. In 2022, it’s a lot tougher to keep talent. 57% of workers are open to looking for a new job. That’s nearly 6 out of 10 workers. Employee initiatives can play a role here, massage may help your employees feel more appreciated and less stressed.

Reduce Stress At Work: Another recent study shows that 60 percent of Americans say work is a significant source of stress, a service like onsite massage is an effective way to lower employee stress. You can see the study here.

Is An Office Massage Program Right For Your Company?

Some of the biggest companies in the world that offer employee massage events have something in common – they felt massage was a great initiative and well worth the investment. These are some of the most successful companies of the past century, why would they invest in corporate massage programs and events?

While we’ll never fully understand why, we do know a major majority of employees love working for them. These companies are highly regarded as some of the top companies to work for according to employees. Is it because employees feel that the company has their best interest at heart? Is it because they feel less stress due to massage and health initiatives being offered? Is it because they feel appreciated?

Your employees are your greatest assets and countless studies prove that when employees are happy, they’re more productive. When employees are more productive, more work gets done. Corporate wellness programs can help reduce healthcare costs, you can see what the CDC had to say about this here.

If you’re considering adding additional wellness initiatives to your wellness program, massage can be a great addition. In fact, some companies are implementing corporate massage programs to offer to employees. Either way, Soothe is here to help. We’ve worked with some of the biggest companies in the world, helping them bring massage programs to employees.

Reach out today to learn more about how we can help your company – here’s the link.

If you’re interested in hosting a massage event for a birthday, wedding, bachelorette party, or for the holiday, you can book your private massage event here.

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Here’s a look at how massage therapy can help relieve different types of back pain, and some tips to help you book the right kind of service,

Types of Back Pain

Unfortunately, there are many things in life that can cause a sore back. And all of these things can lead to different types of back pain. These are a few reasons why you might be feeling discomfort:

• Overall stiffness from lack of mobility
• Soreness from overuse
• Strains from bad posture
• Inflammation (generally in the lower back)
• Sciatica pain from pinching or compression in the lower back

Of course, every person is different. If you’re experiencing recurring, chronic pain, it could be a good idea to consult with your doctor. They may recommend some of the back massage techniques listed below, or provide further guidance.

Can Massage Help With Back Pain?

Yes! Studies have found that proper massage therapy can provide relief for different types of back pain, including lower back pain and overall soreness.

However, it’s important to note that a massage won’t necessarily solve all types of back pain. If you’re suffering from issues related to your spine, bones, or organs, be mindful that massage may not be the best course of action.

Since it can be difficult to recommend a specific kind of massage without more information from the client, having a knowledgeable and experienced massage therapist is a crucial part of getting the best relief possible.

Benefits of Back Massages

When massage is the best course of action, there are a number of reasons why it helps to relieve back pain.

1. Increases blood flow.

When blood flow is limited, soft tissues will contract over time. This means muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia will start to tense up and cause pain. Massage therapy addresses this by using back massage techniques by increasing blood flow and bringing circulation back to those areas. 

2. Relieves muscle tension.

From sitting to sleeping to hunching your shoulders over your computer all day long, muscles can become tight and stiff over time. Massage can help relax that back pressure, helping it come back to its natural, un-tense state.

3. Lowers stress.

Stress is unfortunately a part of most of our lives. It commonly appears in our body through physical pain, often in the low back and shoulders. A relaxing massage not only helps your muscles decompress, but it can help your mind unwind, as well. If you can leave a massage feeling less stressed, you’ll likely find that the tight areas in your back are causing you less pain.

Types of Back Massages to Relieve Pain

Depending on what kind of pain you’re experiencing, there are a few types of massage therapy to help a sore back.

1. Swedish massage

One of the most common types of massage therapy, a Swedish massage is relaxing and known for relieving muscle tension. The massage therapist uses gliding strokes and circular motions to work through your soft tissues and muscles. This is helpful in releasing back pressure and pain in over-stressed areas.

2. Deep tissue massage

Similar to a Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage takes things to a higher intensity. The massage therapist still uses their hands to work through the muscles, but they will use more pressure. This allows them to access deeper layers of the muscles. Although it can lead to greater relaxation in the end, it can be pretty intense in the moment.

3. Sports massage

Although these are especially great for athletes, anyone can benefit from a sports massage. They’re geared towards improving and stimulating blood flow, aiding in muscle recovery, addressing injuries, and loosening muscles. If you struggle with a range of motion or mobility, this may be a good option for you.

4. Point massage

Focusing on relieving knots within the muscles, a trigger point massage can do wonders for loosening tight points of the back. Knots can lead to decreased circulation, cause pain in other areas of the body, and limit range of motion. By focusing on a few spots in particular, the massage therapist can relax these stiff sections.

Other massage techniques for back pain

On top of these massage techniques, a therapist may suggest additional methods to enhance your session. 

• Hot stones are commonly placed along the spine during a Swedish massage, as heat has been shown to provide pain relief and increase flexibility in the lower back.
• Percussive therapy – which has become more common with handheld devices like Theragun – can also be used on the back. However, you want to be sure someone with experience is providing the service, as the spine can be a sensitive area for percussion.
• Oils and lotions can go a long way in providing extra relief. CBD has become popular in the massage world for promoting more relaxation.

How to Find a Professional

Depending on the type of back pain you’re experiencing, you may want to look for specific qualities in a massage therapist. Consider what their background and/or specificity is. Have they worked with athletes before, or are they familiar with treating Sciatic pain? Asking a few questions before you book your appointment can go a long way in ensuring you receive the best treatment for your issue.

If you don’t want to go out to a spa for your massage – after all, back pain can make it painful to walk out the door and drive – consider bringing a massage therapist to your home. With Soothe, you can book a professional massage therapist to come to your house. You don’t have to deal with excess movement, helping you find relief as painlessly as possible.

Soothe makes it simple to address your back pain issues, no matter when they arise. You can book a massage in over 70+ different cities throughout the world, planning it weeks in advance or reserving a same-day session. Download the Soothe App to get started!

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There are many different techniques used throughout the world for massage therapy. If you’ve had a massage before, chances are you’ve already experienced techniques used in Swedish massage. One of the things we love about Swedish massage is the ultra-relaxing effect this technique produces. The Swedish massage is designed to relax the entire body and has many benefits for the body and mind. When you book a massage through Soothe, you can select this type of massage and also chat with your provider about its many benefits. 

What Is Swedish Massage?

The Swedish massage is one of the most common and widely used massage types in the world. If you’re planning your first massage, a Swedish massage is a great place to start. The Swedish body massage uses a combination of different massage techniques implemented into a single session to relax and soothe away stress. 

During your Swedish massage therapy session, the therapist will use their hands to work with your soft tissues and muscles – usually using long, gliding strokes and circular motions. This may help relax your muscles, releasing pain and discomfort from the built-up tension you’ve been experiencing.

If you feel overworked, stressed, or have tense muscles, a Swedish massage may be a great way to begin reviving your body and mind. Since this massage is well known for relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and rejuvenating. 

Swedish Massage Techniques

Effleurage: Effleurage is used to start your massage, it helps the muscles warm-up. It’s also used to soothe your muscles at the end of your massage. This technique includes gentle gliding and circular strokes. The massage therapist applies different pressure levels on the body, which loosens knots in your muscles and relieves tension. In total, there are three classes of effleurage – each one is based on the amount of pressure that is used during the massage. These classes include feather stroking, superficial effleurage, and deeper effleurage. The degree of pressure applied depends on your specific needs and wants.

Petrissage: This technique includes a kneading movement. It involves deep penetration into the muscles. The massage therapist will usually compress your soft tissues in a rhythmic fashion. The most common ways of performing petrissage include kneading, wringing, rolling, and lifting. This will help the muscles stretch and loosen. This also may help improve blood circulation in those areas, which can relieve pain and help you feel renewed. Petrissage is a massage technique that can take time. While anyone can benefit from this technique, It’s often recommended for people with injured muscles since it provides therapeutic benefits.

Friction: This technique involves rubbing on the massage area using the thumbs or fingers. The massage therapist may apply pressure in a circular area or linear, and this rubbing can soften and realign your muscles. This technique is great for those of you who may have joint pain or struggle to move your joints.

Vibration: This technique involves rhythmic shaking of the area being massaged. This will loosen up your body and help your muscles relax. It’s possible your massage therapist may use their palms to shake the skin and muscles on your back. They may use their fingers if the massage area is small or sensitive, like your face. Vibration works best for soothing nerves in areas with large scars or knots.

Tapotement: Drumming or tapping is what tapotement refers to. The massage therapist will use rhythmic tapping to stimulate blood flow across the body. Tapotement involves actions like hammering, slapping, cupping, hacking, and tapping. Tapotement promotes the production of endorphins, which help the body relax. This technique relaxes tight muscles and helps in lymphatic drainage. 

What Happens During The Swedish Massage?

While all massage therapists have their own personal ways of giving a massage, there are a few general processes that you’ll experience during a Swedish massage. First, the therapist will lubricate your skin with massage oil or lotion to create a smoother, more comfortable experience as they apply pressure. Your therapist will perform various massage strokes. In a Swedish massage, the strokes are generally long, gliding motions, with some circular movements, generally in the direction of blood flow towards your heart. These movements allow muscle tissue to warm up. This helps release tension and breaks up muscle “knots,” also known as adhesions. 

To get the best massage experience, Soothe always encourages good client-therapist communication. Before the massage is performed, the therapist will likely ask you about any injuries or other conditions that he or she should know about. Be sure to speak up and tell the massage therapist exactly how you feel. For example, you want to be sure to tell them what areas are hurting, painful, or tense. If you have allergies or are pregnant, be sure to inform them.

You should also tell the massage therapist your preference for pressure, which may be light, moderate, or firm. The therapist will likely ask a series of questions to ensure you have the best experience possible. That’s why communication is so important. Soothe wants to make sure to meet all of your expectations. If you let your massage therapist know exactly what you want, he or she can make sure they deliver on that promise.

Origins Of The Swedish Massage

The Swedish massage has an interesting history. In fact, Swedish massage and physical therapy were pioneered by a Swedish physiologist at the University of Stockholm in the early 1800s. His name was Per Henrik Ling.

In the early 19th century, he developed a system called “Medical Gymnastics,” which included movements performed by a therapist. These later became known as “Swedish movements” in Europe and “The Swedish Movement Cure” when they eventually came to the U.S. in 1858. Today, it’s widely known as the Swedish massage.

Another interesting fact: Swedish massage is often used as a foundation massage for other types of Western massage, including sports massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy massage, and full body massage.

Health Benefits

Countless studies and research explain the health benefits of a Swedish massage. One benefit of receiving a Swedish massage is that the technique can help stimulate your lymph system. The function of your lymph system is to circulate nutrient-filled fluids and waste around your body. When your muscles relax, these fluids can move freely around the body. This process also helps increase blood flow and circulation throughout the body.

If you have problems with muscular strain, you may benefit from the Swedish massage. As the therapist works on relaxing your muscles, this can allow your lymph system to flush out the metabolic waste from the muscles, promoting faster healing.

The Swedish massage may also be used as therapy for people who suffer from types of debilitating joint disorders that are painful. This type of massage can help increase the elasticity in the tissues, improve flexibility, and can help reduce pain. A study conducted by Hernandez-Reif, M., Field, T., Krasnegor, J., Theakston, H., Hossain, Z., and Burman, I. reported in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in the year 2000, explains that hypertension and its associated symptoms were reduced through massage therapy. 

Swedish Massage is the best-known massage type for relaxation, one of the main reasons many men and women use it for stress relief. The massage therapist may use oil or lotion and combine long, gliding, and kneading strokes over the topmost layers of muscles. Pressure varies from light moderate, and firm. Often combined with manipulation and stretching of your arms and legs, Swedish massage relieves muscle tension, improves circulation, increases energy, and can help you heal after an injury.

One study found that a single session of Swedish massage resulted in a significant decrease in the hormone arginine-vasopressin, which plays a role in regulating blood pressure and water retention and may positively affect the immune system.

Personal Benefits

While a Swedish massage works great to help people suffering from health conditions, it also benefits people experiencing everyday stresses. It’s no secret that stress can harm your body. We’re human; we stress relationships, work, kids, parents, taxes, politics, and everything else. The more we stress, the more our muscles become tense, making it difficult to relax them.

The pressure used during Swedish massage therapy can help relax the muscles and relieve all the tension that has built up. The touch of the skin can also help to relax you and some have reported it helps clear their mind. If you enjoy firm pressure during a massage, you may also want to consider a deep-tissue massage. 

One more possible benefit we want to touch on is sleep. Sleep is very important to your health; it’s what renews the body and mind. Making sure you get good quality sleep is healthy for your overall well-being. The massage techniques used in Swedish massage are specifically designed to relax your body. This relaxation can help promote better sleep; when performed in the evening, it may also help you fall asleep faster. 

How to Book a Swedish Massage Near You

If you’re interested in booking a Swedish massage, Soothe makes it easy to find a certified massage therapist in your area. If you have questions about this type of massage and other massage services, check out our massage page. Visit our booking page, and we’ll bring the massage to you! 

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