Massage therapists need physical stamina to stand for long periods of time and manipulate the body’s muscles. They also need a high degree of empathy to communicate with clients and understand their needs. Some therapists pursue voluntary specialty certifications to demonstrate their expertise in treating particular conditions or injuries.
Massage therapy offers a variety of health benefits, including improved pulmonary function in asthma patients and psychological well-being in those with depression. It can even lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
Body manipulation is massage
Many people seek massage as a way to relieve pain from injuries or everyday stresses, heal muscles after workouts, reduce anxiety and depression, and aid general wellness. Some of the most common massage types include relaxation, deep tissue and sports massage. A therapeutic massage can help improve posture, flexibility and range of motion and decrease muscle tension by releasing tight muscles and tendons. It can also help “close the pain gate” by stimulating competing nerve fibers to obstruct the ones that deliver pain messages to the brain.
Studies have shown that massage may help fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome patients, as well as asthma and bronchitis patients, arthritis patients and carpal tunnel sufferers. However, massage is not recommended for those with blood clots or fractures and should never be done over open wounds. In addition, people with weakened bones due to osteoporosis should talk to their doctor before getting a massage. Cancer patients should also consult their oncologist before receiving massage therapy that involves pressure over a tumor or in an area with lymph nodes removed as part of a mastectomy.
It is a form of therapy
Massage therapy is one of the oldest healing arts and is now widely used as part of integrative medicine. It has many documented clinical benefits and is often part of specific medical treatment plans, such as reducing anxiety in cancer patients or improving the pulmonary function of young asthmatics. It can also relieve pain and improve the psycho-emotional well-being of people with chronic inflammatory bowel disease and increase weight and motor development in premature infants, check out the post right here.
The type of massage you receive depends on your health history, symptoms and goals. It is important to communicate with your massage therapist and disclose any health concerns or medications you may be taking.
Massage can help with a variety of conditions, such as allergies, asthma, fibromyalgia, headaches, migraines, low back pain and myofascial pain syndrome. It is also thought to decrease anxiety and depression by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that regulate mood. It can even help with sleep disorders, such as insomnia associated with menopause and congestive heart failure.
It is a relaxation technique
Massage is a relaxation technique that can help reduce stress, decrease anxiety and relieve pain. It can also improve sleep quality and lower blood pressure. It can also help increase range of motion and flexibility, as well as promote general wellness.
A massage can help increase your body’s parasympathetic nervous system activity, which decreases cortisol and increases levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that stabilize the mood. A massage can also help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia and arthritis, including pain, stiffness and fatigue.
A common side effect is feeling a bit disoriented after the massage (we call this “massage drunk”). Drink some water and you will feel better in about 10 to 15 minutes. It is also important to let your therapist know about any health problems you have or medications you take so they can adjust the massage to your specific needs. Massage may not be appropriate for pregnant women, individuals with high fevers or osteoporosis.
It is a form of exercise
Similar to a personal trainer, your massage therapist is there to help you get the most out of your workouts and to prevent injuries. They know the body and can address tightness more precisely than most people can themselves.
One reason that massage is beneficial after exercise is that it can help reduce lactic acid buildup, which causes delayed-onset muscle soreness. When you receive a deep tissue massage, the muscles are squeezed to release this buildup allowing the fibers to stretch and contract as they should.
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Massage can also stimulate the lymph system, which is made up of organs (thymus, tonsils, spleen, and adenoids) and hundreds of nodes and vessels that run throughout the body. This system moves clear fluid around the tissues, removing waste, cellular debris, bacteria, and dead cells, as well as passing immune cells through to enhance our body’s ability to fight infection. If you are being treated for cancer, talk to your doctor before getting a massage, as there may be times when it is not safe.
