Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, if you need or want a massage, you can choose from many 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.
According to a 2007 American Massage Therapy
Association survey, almost a quarter of all adult Americans had at least
one massage in the previous year. And, they have a wide range of
reasons for doing so. More and more people -- especially baby boomers --
recognize the health benefits of massage. They choose from among many
massage styles to get relief from symptoms or to heal injuries, to help
with certain health conditions, and to promote overall wellness.
Here is information you can use to help you decide what types of massage will work best for you.
What Are the Health Benefits of Massage?
Many types of massage offer benefits beyond
simple relaxation. Allure Day Spa Team of Professional Massage Therapists can help you to choose right massage for you.
Here are just a few of the health problems that may
benefit from massage. Ask your doctor before using massage for any
health condition, though.
- Back pain . More than one study has shown the effectiveness of massage therapy for back pain. In fact, one 2003 study showed it worked better than acupuncture or spinal modification for persistent low back pain -- reducing the need for painkillers by 36%.
- Headache . Another type of pain -- headache -- also responds to massage therapy, as shown by more than one study. Massage therapy can reduce the number of migraines a person has and also improve sleep.
- Osteoarthritis . In the first clinical trial looking at the effectiveness of Swedish massage for knee osteoarthritis, participants who received a one-hour massage either one or two times a week had improvements in pain, stiffness, and function. The control group had no such change.
- Cancer. Used as a complement to traditional, Western medicine, massage can promote relaxation and reduce cancer symptoms or side effects of treatment. It may help reduce pain, swelling, fatigue, nausea, or depression, for example, or improve the function of your immune system.
- Anxiety. A review of more than 12 studies shows that massage helps relieve depression and anxiety. It lowered levels of cortisol by up to 50%. And massage increased levels of neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.
Which Massage Styles Are right for You ?
You may have noticed that different massage styles
are popular at different times. And you may have wondered whether each
was just part of a passing fad or the latest, greatest massage
technique? Even more important is how can you tell whether the latest
style will actually help you?
Styles used in massage therapy range from long,
smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Some massage therapists use
oils and lotions; others do not. Most massage therapists have clients
unclothe for a massage, but some do not. A massage can last anywhere
from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
Before you can decide which massage style is best
for you, you need to ask yourself a question. Do you simply want a
massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief
or help with a certain health condition? Before booking a massage, let
the therapist know what you're looking for and ask which style the
therapist uses. Many use more than one style. Or the therapist may
customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special
needs or goals you have.
What follows is a list of some of the more popular massage therapy styles.
Swedish Massage
The most common type of massage is Swedish
massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as
light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is
also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension,
Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even
help after an injury.
The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:
- Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
- Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
- Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
- Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand
Neuromuscular Therapy Massage
Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain
involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented
form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points),
circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical
problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to
certain painful, stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage
therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of
muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin.
Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage
can be quite therapeutic -- relieving chronic patterns of tension and
helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.
Sports Massage
Developed to help with muscle systems used for a
particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help
athletes in training -- before, during, or after sports events. You
might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it
may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury.
Hot Stone Massage
For this kind of massage, the therapist places
warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as
acupressure points.
The stones may be used as massage tools or be temporarily left in place.
Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite
soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.Reflexology
Reflexology uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques
to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to
correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is
expected to promote health and well-being.
Pregnancy Massage
During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication
and other medical options may be more limited. Using specially designed
massage tables, the massage therapist will help get you into a
comfortable position for this type of massage.
Call Allure Day Spa 212 6445500 to schedule your Massage Experience or book online http://alluredayspa.com/index.html and get 10% off 60 or 90 minutes massage till the end of October.
