Did you know that 44% of Americans reported that their stress levels have increased over the past five years?
Stress is not only a burden for your mental health, but it can cause physical strain as well. As the weight of work, relationships, and household duties piles on, people look for more ways to unwind.
One of the best ways to relieve tension and pain is through massage therapy. That’s right; this isn’t only reserved for luxury vacations. This guide will go through the most common types and benefits of massage therapy.
Get ready to change your life. Let’s get started.
Types of Massage Therapy
There are different types of massage therapy, each with its own unique attributes. Some are better for muscle pain and tension, while others focus on specific sports injuries. These are the five most common types of massages.
Swedish Massage
If you’re new to massages and looking for something gentle that will relieve your tension, a Swedish massage is sure to please. It helps relax muscle knots and will have you feeling completely relaxed the entire time.
You’ll remove most of your clothes and will be covered by a sheet as you lie on the massage table. Then the massage therapist will move the sheet to uncover areas they’re working on.
The therapist will use kneading, vibrations, tapping, and passive joint movement techniques for a heavenly 60-90 minutes.
Deep Tissue
If you’re looking for a massage with a little more pressure, a deep tissue massage is a great option. Anybody with chronic muscle problems such as soreness or injury will find relief. Deep tissue massages help relieve chronic muscle pain, anxiety, and tight muscles.
During the massage, your massage therapist will use deep finger pressure and slow strokes to relieve tension from the deep muscle layers.
Hot Stone Massage
Don’t be intimidated by hot stone massages. They’re great for alleviating muscle pain and tension. This is also the perfect massage to get after a tough work week.
A hot stone massage is similar to a Swedish massage, but hot stones are used instead of hands. It improves blood flow, relieves pain, and promotes relaxation.
Hot stones will be placed on different areas around your whole body. There may be some massaging with hands involved too.
Trigger Point Massage
If you play a lot of sports and suffer from an injury, you might want to look into getting a trigger point massage. These are best suited for chronic pain or a specific issue or condition. Sometimes there are tight spots in specific muscle tissues, known as trigger points, and they can cause pain in various parts of the body.
You can expect broad, flowing strokes combined with deeper pressure. Your therapist will focus on specific areas that need to be released.
Reflexology
Everyone experiences fatigue at some point, but if you’re looking to restore your natural energy for an extended period of time, reflexology is a great option.
This uses gentle but firm pressure on different pressure points of your feet, hands, and ears. This is also a great option if you’re not comfortable being touched on your entire body.
List of Benefits of Massage Therapy
Now that you know about some of the options you have regarding massage therapy, it’s time to look at all the benefits. Pretty much everyone can benefit from a massage, but for some individuals, it can completely change their health around.
Whether you decide to get a massage as a monthly self-care endeavor or you’re committed to a weekly squeeze, the benefits will be obvious as soon as the massage is over.
1. Decreases Pain and Speeds Recovery
If you are physically active, you’re familiar with the muscle soreness that appears after a workout. You can get a massage before or after this soreness and experience a decrease in that pain. You’ll also speed up tissue recovery.
2. Improved Sleep
With 1 in 3 Americans not getting enough sleep, anything that can get you more hours of snoozing is welcomed. Adding a regular therapeutic massage to your wellness routine can help resolve any issues that interfere with a good night’s sleep. You’ll be less stressed, your pain will be alleviated and anxiety will be diminished.
3. Increases Circulation and Lowers Blood Pressure
Massage therapists can increase blood flow through the body. This can help with fluid retention, tight muscles, and cold extremities, which occurs when there is too much lactic acid in the body.
The right massage will help increase that circulation and lower blood pressure.
4. Relieves Anxiety and Depression
Part of the beauty of massage therapy is that it is completely relaxing. You lay on the massage table, take deep breaths and enjoy the massage. There will often be relaxing music and calming oils that will help calm you.
This type of tension release is perfect if you’re looking to alleviate any anxiety or depression that you’re feeling.
5. Restores Ease of Movement
Massages loosen up your body’s soft tissue. This improves your overall range of motion and flexibility at joints. Massage therapy can also break up adhesions and scar tissue, encouraging better blood flow. This makes massages helpful to people who suffer from stiffness and are reluctant to move because of pain.
Get Relief With Massage Therapy
Why go through life dealing with chronic pain and stress? There is a myriad of options when it comes to finding relief. One of the most tried-and-true treatments is massage therapy.
Now that you know the most common types and benefits of massage therapy, you can hurry to the best wellness center in your area and make an appointment. You’ll be amazed by how quickly your overall mood and health improves.
If you live in Kentucky and want the best of the best when it comes to massage therapy, then be sure to contact us and make an appointment today!
