Massage comes with several advantages. Head, back, shoulders or full body, there are several health benefits of massage. Massage is a very powerful tool that will help you to maintain your health and general well-being. Anyone can take it and there is no need to visit an upscale health club or a luxury spa. Today, massage therapy is offered even by doctors especially chiropractors in a medical process. You can avail it in clinics, hospitals, businesses and even airports.
Types of Massage
Massage is actually pressing, rubbing and manipulating the muscles and skin, tendons and ligaments. It may involve deep pressure or light strokes and there are different types of massage. However, the most common types are:
1. Swedish Massage
This is a gentle form of massage. It uses long strokes, deep circular movements, kneading, tapping and vibration. It helps to relax and energize.
2. Deep Massage
This technique uses slower and more forceful strokes. It targets the deeper layers of the connective tissue and muscle. It helps in healing muscle injuries and damages.
3. Sports Massage
This is the same as Swedish massage but is aimed to heal injuries due to sports activities.
4. Trigger Point Massage
This focuses on tight muscle fibres after overuse or injuries.
Different Styles of Massage
Different styles of massage are popular and required at different times and therefore you may think which will be the best one for you. However, it all depends on your bodily needs and conditions. This is the reason you should consult a pro for this. It will ensure the best results and no damage to your muscles, joints and ligaments.
Some therapists will use oils and lotions while others may not, and a few may undress you while others may not. A massage session may last for 5 minutes or 2 hours depending on the need.
The Best Style for You
You will need to ask you a few questions to determine which style of massage is best for you. Find out whether you need a massage for relaxation or stress control. Are you suffering from any condition and want a relief from its symptoms or is it for your general well-being? You must be sure of it, and let the therapist know about your need. Accordingly, the therapist, they may use a single style or combine a few styles and even customize the style considering your age, need, condition and goals.
The Real Health Benefits of Massage
The health benefits of massage are known dates back to centuries. If you really want a proof of its physical and psychological benefits, there are dozens of studies that will help you back your research.
- A massage improves your health, ease muscle soreness, reducing stress after exercise.
- It drops the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increases the feel-good hormones dopamine and serotonin.
- Foam rolling or kneading will reduce pain symptoms of diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Apart from pain reduction massage is also good for depression relief. The most significant of all benefits is that it can surprisingly improve the function of your body immune system.
Few Other Long-Term Benefits
Medical studies have shown that massage helps people suffering from breast cancer and leukaemia. It is also effective in reducing emotional pain. There are several MIRs done to show that massage increases circulation of blood in the areas of the brain that helps in stress and mood regulation.
Massage stimulates the pressure receptors under your skin thereby increasing vagal activity. It helps to improve your nervous system and improves the autonomous functions of the heart. It improves breathing rate, digestion and produces a calming effect to drop the cortisol level and other stress symptoms.
