Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection.
Pressure points are sensitive parts of the body that correspond with different aspects of your mental and physical well-being. How to use five pressure points.
Myofascial relief therapy, another type of bodywork, involves releasing stiffness from the fascia. The connective tissue that holds every muscle in the body is called the fascia. Your therapist will gently massage the areas that are feeling tight and apply light pressure.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese form of physical therapy, has been a popular way to manage back pain. Learn how it works.
Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certification requirements.
Thai massages use the body of the therapist to move the client around in various positions. This massage includes the compression of muscles, mobilization joints, and acupressure.
Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, if you need or want a massage, you can choose from about 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. These all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Sometimes, even forearms, elbows, or feet are used.
Shiatsu massage is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension. It’s a Japanese type of massage that:
According to American Massage Therapy Association (19%), approximately 19% Americans had received massage in 2018. They have many reasons. Many people are beginning to recognize the health benefits that massage can bring, particularly baby boomers. They can choose from several massage styles to ease pain, heal injuries or treat specific conditions.
You can check out a massage school in your area or find a massage therapist who works at home if you want to find massages at a more reasonable cost.
One of the most appealing aspects of massage therapy is the sense of calm and relaxation it can bring.
This massage involves placing warmed stones on selected areas of the body such as the acupressure points. The stones can be placed on the body temporarily or used as massage tools. Hot stones can be used together with other massage techniques to soothe and relax the body by transferring heat deep inside.
A lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage of your tissues designed to help increase the circulation of lymph fluids in your body. Lymph is a protein-rich fluid that moves throughout your body in lymph vessels. It scoops up things like bacteria, viruses, and waste, and carries them to your lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes then filter the fluid to get the impurities out of your body. The massage is usually done with light pressure with gentle, long strokes along the skin to increase the movement of lymph through your system.
Hot stone massaging is a type massage therapy. It provides a variety of health benefits as well as relieving muscle tensions and pain. Learn more.
Sports massage is a good option if you have a repetitive use injury to a muscle, such as what you may get from playing a sport. It’s also a good option if you’re prone to injuries, because it can be used to help prevent them.
A lymphatic drain massage is a gentle massage that works on your tissues and helps increase circulation. Lymph is a fluid rich in protein that flows throughout your body via lymph vessels. It takes in things like bacteria, viruses and waste and then carries them to the lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes filter the fluid and remove impurities from your body. For lymph to move more freely through your body, massage is often done with light pressure.
Before you decide on the best massage for you, ask yourself some questions. Is it just relaxation or stress control that you are looking for? Are you looking for symptom relief or treatment for a particular health condition? Make sure to let the therapist and the therapist you are looking for know before booking a massage. Many therapists use several styles. Your age, condition or specific goals may dictate how the therapist customizes your massage.
A 2018 study found that self-shiatsu significantly improved sleep quality and daytime fatigue in a group of young athletes with sports-related concussions.
