{"id":78886,"date":"2022-11-04T19:44:54","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T19:44:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/?p=78886"},"modified":"2024-06-05T15:11:15","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T15:11:15","slug":"massage-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.soothe.com\/articles\/massage-therapy\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need To Know About Massage Therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re stressed and sore, you may think there\u2019s nothing you can do but take some over-the-counter pain relievers and plow through your day. According to the CDC<\/a>, 20 percent of Americans suffer from chronic pain, that’s 1 out of every 5 people. For those of you that continue to look for relief, massage therapy may be a solution worth trying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is massage therapy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of massage therapy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swedish massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed with life, this massage may be able to bring relief. A Swedish massage<\/a> is the classic go-to for major relaxation. Swedish massage is typically a full-body massage<\/a> that uses a soft, gentle touch. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deep tissue massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sports massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While sports massages<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prenatal massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trigger point massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lymphatic massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myofascial release<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot stone massage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A hot stone massage<\/a> is a type of massage therapy. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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