Massage is a proven effective treatment for reducing pain, muscle tension, and stress relief. A study in the Pain Medicine journal found evidence that massage therapy “should be strongly recommended as a pain management option.”
How Does It Help
Therapeutic massage has been shown to improve joint flexibility, relieve lower-back pain, and stimulate the release of endorphins. It can also be used to treat and prevent many other conditions like arthritis, sports injuries, tension, increased blood flow, and enhanced circulation. Another benefit of massage therapy is that it helps individuals become more aware of their bodies and better familiarize them with the pain they experience.
What are the Different Massage Techniques
Swedish Massage: Designed to relax the entire body by rubbing the muscles in long, gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Deep tissue massage: Uses intense pressure and targets the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia. The massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. Acupressure: This type of massage stimulates vital spots on the body to impede pain sensations and stimulate the natural pain relievers of the body. This pressure is applied by using hands, fingers, or other devices.
How Often Should you Receive a Massage
Visiting a licensed massage therapist once a month is appropriate for most people. For individuals dealing with intense chronic pain or condition, it may be appropriate to receive a massage three-to-six times within a shorter time period.
How to Treat at Home
Lower stress: Finding healthy ways to manage stress, such as listening to music, practicing guided imagery, and meditation can improve mood, promote relaxation and ease chronic pain. Exercise: Physical activity for 20-30 minutes 5 days a week improves cardiovascular health. Plus, regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of heart disease, strengthen muscles, and more. Breathe deeply: Individuals with chronic pain have a tendency to hold their breath during a flare-up, or breathe fast and shallow. Simply learning and performing deep breathing exercises can encourage relaxation, ease your pain and boost your overall wellness. Massage Therapy: Therapeutic massage can relieve pain in several ways, including relaxing painful muscles, tendons, and joints. It can potentially help reduce pain by stimulating competing nerve fibers and impeding pain messages to and from the brain. With LaVida Massage, we have experienced massage therapists that understand the anatomy of the body. Each Massage Therapist is professionally licensed and will work to target specific areas to release pain. Eat well: Enjoying a well-balanced diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats, can help you feel better by aiding your digestion, keeping your weight under control, and improving your blood sugar. All of these can greatly reduce stress levels! Book a massage with us today and see what a massage can do to help you manage your stress and pain.