What Does Massage Therapy Treat?

Introduction:

When you hear “massage,” relaxation springs to mind. Yet, its benefits extend far beyond mere pampering. Discover why regular massages are essential for holistic well-being and the diverse conditions they address.

Key Takeaways:

• Massage therapy treats various conditions including anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and stress-related tension.
• Research supports massage benefits such as improved circulation, pain relief, and enhanced flexibility.
• Different types of massages cater to specific needs like deep tissue for pain relief and aromatherapy for relaxation.

What does massage therapy treat?

Massage therapy treats a wide range of conditions including anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and stress-related tension, offering benefits such as improved circulation and pain relief.

When you hear the word massage you instantly think of relaxation. It is a chance for you and your body to completely unwind. After all, who doesn’t love to be pampered? Nevertheless, it is imperative to note that the benefits of massages run a lot deeper than this. There is a wealth of different reasons why individuals should book themselves into the spa on a frequent basis to receive this kind of treatment. So, what does massage therapy treat?

What does massage therapy treat?

Massage therapy can help to treat a wide range of conditions. It can help with lowering anxiety and pain for people who have chronic illnesses, for example, cancer, and it can lower the physiological burden that stress has on us. It can also help in terms of treating conditions like depression, low back pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, fatigue stemming from cancer, and also stress-related tension.

Research has proven that massages can help in terms of increasing lymph flow and blood circulation, lowering blood pressure, and reducing heart rate. It also aids in terms of relaxing your muscles, increasing endorphins, and improving your range of motion, all of which can enhance medical treatment. When you have a therapeutic massage, it does not enhance muscle strength, yet it can stimulate muscles that are inactive and weak. This can help in terms of compensating for inactivity and lack of exercise caused by injury or illness.

Massage therapy can help with a whole host of different conditions that are related to stress, such as the following:

• Repetitive stress injuries
• Pain, including neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, and muscle tension
• Migraines and headaches
• Fatigue
• Depression and anxiety

Massage therapy cannot only assist with stress-related injuries and illnesses but a whole host of other conditions as well. This includes fibromyalgia, asthma, bronchitis, hypertension, recovering from major surgery, breast cancer and other types of cancer, carpal tunnel, arthritis, common cold and flu, migraines and headaches, sports injuries, muscle sprains and strains, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, rotator cuff syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, and more. Of course, you need to listen to your expert to determine which course of treatment is best for you.

Why are massages good for your health?

Before we start looking at the different types of massages that are available, it is vital to establish why they are so good for you. With that being said, let’s take a look at the benefits of massages in further detail. You may be surprised to learn that they offer much more than a chance to relax and be pampered.

• Improved circulation – Massage therapy is great for your health because it improves the body’s circulation which in turn enhances waste elimination and also nourishes cells.
• Helps to heal scar tissue – Particular styles of massage can help the body when it comes to healing scar tissue. It is also beneficial when it comes to the healing of muscle, ligament, and tendon tears.
• Pain relief – Individuals experiencing any sort of pain – such as tight muscle aches – are often advised to book themselves into a spa for this treatment.
• Improved energy – You will notice that you feel revitalized and that your energy levels will have increased.
• Nerve compression release – This is in relation to the likes of sciatica and carpal tunnel.
• Enhanced flexibility – Last but not least, another reason why massages are beneficial is that they improve an individual’s range of motion and overall flexibility.

Different Massage Types :

The benefits of massages are there for all to see, however, there is not just one type of massage treatment. There is a great selection for you to choose between and here are some of the most popular:

• Deep tissue – This is extremely beneficial for those who are suffering from pain or are feeling particularly tense. It goes deeper than the surface of the top muscles.
• Hot stone – This treatment involves the use of heated stones in order to penetrate into the muscles and relieve tension.
• Medical/injury-specific massages – You can also get a massage from companies like Motus as part of your physical therapy or occupational therapy. This will be part of a wider treatment plan.
• Aromatherapy – This treatment incorporates using a wealth of different essential oils in order to invigorate energy centers, uplift spirits, and help you to relax.
• Reflexology – This massage involves using certain acupressure points in the feet, hands and even ears. These points all coincide with every different system, gland, and organ in the body. It is all about stimulation and self-healing.
• Swedish – Let’s end on the most popular massage of them all; the Swedish massage. This involves the use of five different styles of massage strokes, such as kneading and gliding.

How often should you get a massage?

Unfortunately, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It all depends on the individual in question. For instance, if you are someone who suffers from aches and pains then you may be advised to go on a weekly or biweekly basis. Nevertheless, for the average individual once a month is recommended.

Where can you find the best massage?

You obviously need to know where to get the best massage. For this, you will need to do research into the local spas in your area. Take the time to do this properly. You need to make sure the person treating you has the correct experience and qualifications because if a massage is not carried out properly, it can actually cause damage. You can also read reviews that have been left by people who have had the massage in question before. If you’re in the Orange County area, you should stop by OC Wellness for the best massages in Southern California.

Hopefully, you now know everything you need to know about massages. There is no denying that this is something everyone should have on a regular basis. However, the type of massage you go for depends on your unique situation and what you hope to gain from the experience.