The Many Benefits Of Getting Massage Therapy

When people think of the word massage, the first thing that comes to mind is a nice relaxing session at a spa. While that is a good idea for a massage, many do not understand what kind of other benefits massage therapy can provide to their body. There is more than just relaxing at the moment, and we are going to talk just about some of the benefits.

What is a massage?

A question that is as simple as this one is necessary so we can later discuss the benefits of a massage. The definition of a massage is that any kind of pressing, rubbing, or some sort of manipulation of certain parts of a body, such as the skin, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, counts as a massage.

Because of this definition, a massage can range from something that is just a light touch to something that causes deep pressure on the tissue. Everyone probably had some sort of massage in their life, received from someone else, or performed on themselves, but did you know there are different types?

One such type is active-release massage therapy, which is the one focuses on soft tissue injuries and muscle strain that would lead to chronic pain if left untreated. With active-release massage, the goal is to relieve the patient from the pain they are experiencing and to provide the affected area with a better range of motion.

It is very common to receive active-release massage therapy in Parramatta, as it has some of the best physicians in the area. They are skilled in using the correct active release techniques, as well as myofascial techniques.

Another type of massage that is quite common is sports massage, which is very similar to another kind called Swedish massage. This one involves long strokes and kneading, and it is a great type of massage to recover from sports injuries, as well as to prevent them from happening.

Massages can help with various things

Benefits of massage

We already hinted at some benefits of massages, but in this section, we are going to cover the most common ones. Massages are a great way to reduce stress and increase relaxation, which is why you have probably given yourself a shoulder massage many times.

Other than that, it can reduce pain if done correctly, and it can also help with muscle soreness and tension. When a massage is done by a professional on a bigger surface of the body, it can be a great way to improve circulation, energy, as well as alertness. Some studies have also shown that it is a great way to improve immunity too.

Depending on the type of massage that is given, different benefits can be achieved. Sometimes massages are also an ideal way of therapy for certain conditions such as anxiety, headaches, fibromyalgia, low back pain, nerve pain, upper back pain, neck pain, and any kind of pain that is affecting the previously mentioned tissue.

Of course, in order to achieve all the benefits that a massage can give, it is important that it is done by a professional. Otherwise, the effect of a massage can be underwhelming, and there are also potential risks, which we are going to talk about later. It is also important to note that massages are not a mighty cure and that not all patients can experience all the benefits due to how the body reacts to a massage.

Risk of massage

Many would think that getting a massage does not have a risk. But for example, if you are getting an active release massage therapy in Chatswood instead of at home, you are actually avoiding all kinds of risks. Those who are not trained in giving massages can easily create burns and healing wounds, especially if the massage is not performed with oils.

Bigger risks are things such as bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, and even infections. Of course, people who are not trained in the art of giving massages are not the only ones at the fault of potential risks. Sometimes the patients themselves can be the ones who are causing the risk due to certain conditions that they have.

For example, patients who happen to have severe osteoporosis or a low platelet count are not ideal candidates for a massage, especially one that focuses on deep pressure and increasing blood flow. Because of that, it is important for both doctors and patients to have a discussion about a massage before anything is done.

Massage is very utilized in sports.

Final word

Massages are quite an interesting form of therapy, and they are becoming more used all over the world. The most common place they are used is in sports medicine, but other sections of medicine are considering their values, which is quite interesting as they have been around for thousands of years.