Massage therapy is a great tool for those who are looking to take advantage of the many benefits to reduce pain, increase their well-being and prevent injury.
Previously massages used to be available through spas, but today you can get a massage with a registered massage therapist in health clubs, health and wellness clinics, businesses, hospitals, and even at an airport. There are many health benefits you can gain from getting a massage from a registered massage therapist. If you have never received a massage before read on to learn more about the benefits.
WHAT IS A MASSAGE
- Rubbing of your skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments to relax you or release tension
- Gentle, light and deep pressing is applied depending on the issues you wish to resolve
WHAT ARE SOME TYPES OF MASSAGES
- Swedish
- Deep Tissue
- Sports Therapy
- Trigger Point
- Myofascial release
- Lymphatic massage
- Prenatal massage
Massage therapy with its many health benefits can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques such as physiotherapy to speed up recovery from any injuries or chronic pain. For those with acute pain, massage therapy can help alleviate or reduce any pain someone is feeling.
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
- Reduce Pain
- Reduce muscle soreness
- Reduce Tension
- Improve blood flow and circulation
- Increase energy
- Lowering of heart rate and blood pressure
- Reducing Stress and Anxiety
- Increases relaxation
- Helps with Sleep
- Boosts immunity
- Reduces Recovery Time
- Helps with flexibility and sports
- Improves posture
- Helps with balance in older adults
- Flushes toxins
- Relaxes the mind
- Regulates blood sugar levels / Helps with Diabetes
- Helps with post-operative pain
- Helps with fibromyalgia pain
- Enhances sports and exercise performance
- Helps relieve tension from headaches
- Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain
- Reduces join replacement pain
- Increases range of motion
- Decreases migraine frequency
- Reduces chemotherapy related nausea
- Eases depression symptoms
- Improves ADHD
Besides the many benefits, many people enjoy getting a massage because they feel better and more relaxed.
Risks involved for those with medical conditions
Massage therapy is great for most people but for those who have certain medical conditions should contact their doctor and make sure their massage therapist is aware of any issues before starting a treatment.
Some medical conditions include:
- Fractured Bones
- Infections
- Wounds
- Burns
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Severe osteoporosis
- Sever Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
If there are any concerns, please contact your doctor before starting any treatment.
what happens DURING a massage?
Before your massage your therapist will ask you about your medical history and any symptoms that you have. You should explain to them any pains and what you wish to get out of the massage. If there are certain areas you wish not to be massaged due to injury or any other reason please inform the therapist.
After learning about your health history, allergies and any acute or chronic pains, your massage therapist will explain what they will focus on and any techniques they may use.
During your massage session, you will undress only to the point you are comfortable. Your therapist will leave the room while you undress and you will then lie under the sheet on the massage table, usually face down unless your massage therapist tells you otherwise.
Your massage therapist will start slow and evaluate the areas of interest you pointed out during your assessment and find out how much pressure can be used to help reduce any pain. Your massage therapist will use oil or lotion to make it easier to massage. If you feel you may be allergic to any oil or lotions, please inform the therapist.
Massages can go up to 90 minutes but on average most people get a 60-minute massage. During your massage you should feel relaxed. During your session there may be music in the background, or your massage therapist might talk to you. If you wish to have no music or want to relax and not talk ,you can tell them you prefer a quiet massage.
Finally, if you want more pressure or light pressure you can tell your massage therapist. Massage therapists will look for tight areas and try to massage it out, but if the pain is uncomfortable, you should let your therapist know.
At the end of your session, your massage therapist will inform you that they are done and then leave the room. You can then get dressed and meet your therapist outside the room. You can discuss with them what felt great and what still needs to be worked on. Let them know about how you felt about the massage pressure and anything else that can help with any future massages.
Your Health Insurance plan may cover massage therapy
Massage therapy has changed over the years and now many health insurance plans cover therapeutic massages by a Registered Massage Therapist. As each plan is different you should contact your insurance provider to see what is covered.