Years ago, we had not begun to spend research money investigating the many widespread benefits of massage therapy.
Over the last ten years, as medical treatments have become ever more expensive, we have begun to look at less invasive, more patient-friendly processes that aid healing and help sufferers find relief. In study after study the benefit of massage therapy has shown that it:
- Reduces lower back pain and other bodily aches
- It helps soothe infants and promotes digestion
- Increases range of motion in joints
- Decreases illness-related fatigue
- Calms aggressive behavior
- It decreases depression and helps to promote a healthy mind
- It helps your immunity by increasing white blood cell counts
- Improves recovery after post-operative surgery
- Alleviates age-related disorders, sleep disorders, and many more emotional and physical problems
Its many benefits make it the natural candidate for regular health maintenance and the natural choice for practising preventative medicine designed to help individuals extend their quality of life for as long as possible.
There are many different types of massage therapy, including these common types:
Swedish massage
Swedish massage is a gentle form of massage therapy that uses long strokes, kneading, deep, circular movements, vibration, and tapping to help you relax and energize. Studies have shown that it can help alleviate lower back pain and chronic pain. Its ability to relax the body’s muscular system often leaves the individual feeling rejuvenated.
Deep tissue massage
The deep tissue massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries. It can help improve circulation and nutrients to blocked muscle tissue and enhance healing and recuperation. It also releases deep-seated muscle tension and compacted muscles, leaving the body feeling freer and more energized.
Sports massage
This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sports activities to help prevent or treat injuries. As such, it can be a mix between a structural and remedial massage, where the latter targets specific parts of the body to alleviate particular symptoms.
Trigger point massage
This massage focuses on trigger points or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibres that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse. It helps restore the elasticity of the muscle and the full range of motion to limbs, which might have felt ‘tight’ or restricted before.
