Which type of massage is best?

Pressure points refer to sensitive areas in your body that correspond to certain parts of your mental or physical health. We will show you how to use five of them.

Reflexology uses finger, thumb, and hand techniques for stimulating certain areas on the feet. These are thought to correspond to different parts on the body. It is therefore expected that massage will promote health, well-being, and wellbeing.

According to American Massage Therapy Association, 19% Americans have had massage therapy in 2018. And they have many reasons. Massage is becoming increasingly popular, particularly among baby boomers. They can choose between a range of massage styles in order to alleviate symptoms or to heal injuries.

Massage is the practice of rubbing and kneading the body using the hands. During a massage, a trained massage therapist will apply gentle or strong pressure to the muscles and joints of the body to ease pain and tension.

A 2019 clinical trial found that reflexology could reduce fatigue and pain and improve the quality of sleep in patients with lymphoma.

For this massage, you’ll remove your clothes, though you may choose to keep your underwear on. You’ll be covered with a sheet while lying on the massage table. The massage therapist will move the sheet to uncover areas that they are actively working on.

A growing body of medical research and ancient practices suggest that pressure points on the feet can be used to treat conditions in different parts of your body.

Other studies have found that Thai massage reduces back pain associated with trigger points — tight, painful muscle clusters — in the upper back.

Sometimes, massage therapy may be covered by insurance if it's being used as a treatment for a medical condition. Massage therapy may be covered by insurance companies if it is part of chiropractic treatment.

The massage will include work on your entire body, though your therapist will focus on specific areas that need to be released. You can wear lightweight clothing for the massage, or you can be fully or partially undressed.

Muscle knots can be painful, but they are treatable. We explain your treatment options and when you should see a doctor.

Another type of bodywork is myofascial therapy. It involves the release of stiffness in fascia, which is the connective tissue system that houses each muscle in your body. The therapist will use light pressure to massage any tension areas and then stretch them.