Therapeutic massage is an effective method for treating a variety of symptoms and conditions affecting the human body. This powerful form of tissue manipulation can reduce stress, digestive disorders, headaches and pain resulting from sports injuries. It may also help you sleep better, relieve joint pain and reduce anxiety. The Consumer Survey held by the American Massage Therapy Association states 72 percent of people surveyed say the main reason they sought massage therapy in the past year was due to physical health problems. Today, professionally applied massage therapy is as easy as calling us on the phone.
Massage Techniques and Their Meaning
Therapeutic massage is the term used most often when describing the pressing, manipulating and rubbing of the skin’s layers, musculature, tendons and ligaments in the human body for pain relief and improved circulation. Various massage methods use different pressures ranging from light stroking to deep tissue pressure. The most commonly sought techniques include:
Swedish Massage
Known to be the most commonly applied method of traditional Western massage; strokes aimed towards the same area as the heart, using either active or passive manipulation of the joints. It is especially effective for stress, anxiety, tight muscles, tension headaches, joint tightness and blood circulation. It is a gentle form of therapeutic body massage that incorporates longer strokes, deeper kneading and circular movements.
Deep Tissue Massage
Similar to the Swedish massage, but geared more towards applying deeper pressure to the tissues. It’s beneficial in treating chronic muscle pain and tension. Massage therapy relieves pain within the deep layers of muscle, tendons and protective tissue layers that surround and protect the muscles, bones and joints. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reports that individual blood pressure results were lower following a deep tissue massage lasting one hour or less. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reports massage methods such as the deep tissue technique reduce stress hormone levels and pulse rate while elevating mood.
Additional Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy helps you strengthen and improve your overall health with expertly applied, therapeutic manipulation of the skin and muscles. Most health experts agree when people are under continual stress, they are vulnerable and susceptible to disease and injury. When stress and poor sleeping habits join, it is the immune system that suffers. A healthy diet, regular massages, and sensible exercise can help you keep your body’s immune system strong and powerful against disease.
For more information on massage therapy, contact us today at Mac Med Spa and book a consultation at our office in Milford, Framingham or Hopedale!
