Can Massage Therapy Benefit Your Health Long-term?

Dr. Jan Dorrell encourages patients to try out massage therapy treatments at Ottawa Health: Performance and Rehabilitation for general well-being and physical health. As one of the oldest traditional natural healing approaches used by Chinese, Indians, and Ancient Greek, massage therapy may be the solution to many physical ailments, you have.

What Is Massage Therapy?

It is a physiotherapy treatment done to address various physical and psychological conditions. Massage therapy near you involves strategically kneading, adjusting, and manipulating the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Massages are among the most common types of physiotherapy near you, practiced for their benefits to general health.

Massage therapists in Ottawa offer massages by identifying areas of physical disturbance and discomfort. Through various deep, long, or short strokes, a massage therapist will apply pressure to targeted areas of your body, targeting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Do Massage Therapies Differ?

The needs and preferences you have when approaching a therapist near you for massage therapy treatment will determine the kind of technique used. Based on the kneading technique and pressure applied for your treatment, massage therapies are different. The common types of massage therapies are:

1. Swedish Massage – is also called therapeutic or Western massage and is common for patients looking to relax and rejuvenate. Therapists employ deep, circular motions, vibrations, and long kneading strokes for a Swedish Massage.

 

2. Deep tissue Massage – is among the most intense massage therapies, employing deeper and more forceful strokes than Swedish massage. The goal of a deep tissue massage is to target the connective tissues and deeply layered muscles. It is a common approach for physiotherapy to promote healing after physical injuries.

 

3. Sports Massage – are specifically done on sportspeople to promote quick recovery after injuries or prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. This type of massage works best to target the muscles and ligaments exposed to repeated use or overuse.

 

4. Hot stone Massage – is also popular among patients seeking relaxation, more so when experiencing muscle tension and soreness.

 

5. Aromatherapy Massage – the technique uses approaches that will cause promote emotional healing, which is why it is the best approach for patients dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Aromatherapy massage relies on essential oils that you inhale as your skin slowly absorbs them.

 

6. Trigger point Massage – they rely on strong and deep pressure to address any tightness in your muscles. Your therapist will target the trigger points of your body that are likely to result in chronic pain and disorders.

When Is Massage Therapy Needed?

Various people need massage therapy for different reasons. Some reasons may be medical, while others are personal preferences to promote body wellness.

1. Chronic and acute back pain

2. Stress, anxiety, and depression

3. Fatigue and burnout

4. Muscle tension, misuse, and overuse

5. Insomnia

6. Hypertensive disorders

7. Physical injuries

8. Digestive disorders

Generally, anyone can get a massage for any part of their body, whether for relaxation or physiotherapy. Therapists may only disqualify you from massage treatment protocols under some of the following conditions:

1. Fractured bones and open wounds

2. Certain types of cancers like cancer of the bones

3. Pregnancy – particularly high-risk pregnancies. However, you can talk to your doctor about trying out prenatal massages that use mild pressure to reduce muscle tension and pain during pregnancy.

4. If you have other life-threatening conditions, especially those associated with the heart or brain

What Are the Benefits of Massage Therapy for Your Health?

Do you have friends who keep insisting that you need to get a massage? Many people capitalize on Massage Therapy Benefits for general relaxation of the body. Women consider massages as an act of self-care, while some men take up massages to relieve tense muscles. Either way, you will stand to benefit greatly from massage therapy. Some other benefits you should capitalize on are:

1.  Overcoming stress and anxiety – by lowering the stress hormones in your body

2.  Improving blood circulation throughout your system

3.  Improving immunity levels and function – particularly for patients with terminal illnesses

4.  Dealing with muscle tension – especially due to long hours of work.

5.  To boost joint flexibility and ligament mobility

6.  Relieving migraine headaches

7.  Lowering your blood pressure and heart rate

8.  Countering poor sitting and sleeping postures that may misalign your spine

9.   Alleviating soreness and discomfort in your muscles

10. Promoting speedy recovery of soft tissues and muscles after accidents and injuries.

11. Improving your skin tone – thanks to improving circulation of blood in all areas of your body

12. Promoting mental alertness, focus, and concentration.

13. Encouraging adequate and good quality sleep

14. Reducing irritability and restlessness – especially in infants with severe colic symptoms.

Summary:

If it is your first time considering massage therapy for physical wellness, find your way to a massage therapy spa near you to make relevant inquiries about the various techniques viable for your treatment to match your needs and preferences.