Massage
Massaging has been practiced for thousands of years. More and more people recognize the health benefits of massage. They have the ability to choose from a wide variety of massage styles to relieve their symptoms, heal their injuries and certain health conditions, and promote their overall wellness.
Here is some information you can use to help you decide what types of massage will work best for you.
Which Massage Styles Are Best?
Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Before you can decide which massage style is best for you, you need to ask yourself a question…
- Do you simply want a massage for relaxation and stress control?
- Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition?
Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you’re looking for and ask which style the therapist uses. Many of them use more than one style. In some cases, the therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.
Here is a list of some of the more popular massage therapy styles. The first four are especially popular.
Swedish Massage
It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on the topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with the movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. Also, it may even help after an injury.
Neuromuscular Therapy Massage
Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.
Sports Massage
Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training — before, during, or after sports events.
Hot Stone Massage
For this kind of massage, the therapist places warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. The stones may be used as massage tools or be temporarily left in place. Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.
Pregnancy Massage
During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massages may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited.
What Are the Health Benefits of Massage?
Many types of massage offer various benefits beyond simple relaxation. Here are just a few of the health problems that may benefit from massage. Ask your doctor before using massage for any health condition, though.
- Back pain;
- Headache;
- Osteoarthritis;
- Anxiety.
Massage should not be done in any area of the body with blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, weakened bones (such as from osteoporosis or cancer) or where there has been a recent surgery.
Massage therapy appears to be generally safe for cancer patients, they should consult their oncologist before having a massage that involves deep or intense pressure.
Pregnant women should consult their health care provider before using massage therapy.
If you are dealing with a serious health condition check with your health care provider before seeking massage therapy and make sure you inform your massage practitioner of any health conditions that may affect the work.
Make An Appointment!
Treatment Pricing
At the Practice: £65.00
Home Visits: £65.00*
Booking Information
Appointments last approx
30-60 minutes
For same-day appointments please email office@myfamilyclinic.co.uk