Massages have been used since ancient times, mainly to relieve pain. Today, massages have continued to treat various health conditions and psychological disorders such as anxiety and stress. Our licensed and trained massage therapists at Axon Health Associates offer massage therapy to treat multiple symptoms of different health conditions.
What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage involves kneading and rubbing the body using various techniques to manipulate muscles and soft tissue in the body. Massage therapy helps ease tension and pain by applying gentle pressure and moving techniques.
Massage therapists rub, move, hold and press the body to help heal injuries, relieve symptoms, stress, pain, and improve blood circulation. Massages are meant to enhance wellness and general well-being and are suitable for people of all ages. Typically, massage therapists use oil, lotions, or talcum powder to let their hands slip and glide easily during treatment. A thin piece of cloth or sheet may also be used.
Massage therapy is part of integral medicine and can be combined with other treatments. It describes various techniques varying in intensity, pressure, and touch when administering the treatment.
Health Benefits for Massage Therapy
According to research, massage therapy can help relieve the following health conditions:
- Increases relaxation
- Relieves muscle tension
- Promotes faster healing in soft tissue injuries
- Improves sleeping disorders
- Relieves constipation
- Improves high blood pressure
- Boosts immunity
- Reduces cancer pain
- Improves chronic low back pain
- Helps improve chronic diseases
- Increased joint mobility and flexibility
- Promotes better circulation
- Reduces stress, depression, and anxiety
- Relieves pregnancy pain and swelling
- Myofascial pain syndrome management
- Relieves fibromyalgia symptoms
- Temporary arthritis and joint pain relief
- Improved skin tone
- Improves sleeping disorders such as insomnia
- Stimulating the lymphatic system
- Tension headache relief
Types of Massages
There are various types of massages, with the most common being:
Deep tissue massage: This gives special attention to painful, stiff spots in the body caused by injuries. The massage gets into the deep muscle layers and tissues.
Prenatal massage: This helps expectant women to relax and relieve aches, pains, pressure, swollen feet, and legs. It helps reduce the stress and demands of the growing baby.
Swedish massage: This is the most common type; done on the whole body using a gentle touch. The massage relaxes the emotional state of mind and calms the nervous system using kneading, long-flowing strokes.
Sports massage: Uses various approaches to relax muscles, promote flexibility, and improve healing before and after sporting activities. The massage can be performed before, during, and after sporting or repetitive physical activity.
Trigger point massage: Recommended for chronic pain, injuries, or specific conditions. The massage focuses on the pressure points to relieve pain.
Reflexology: This stimulates the reflex maps on the feet, ears, and hands using gentle to firm pressure. It relaxes the body and is ideal for people uncomfortable with being touched on the whole body. It reduces pain, stress and speeds up recovery.
Hot stone massage: Best suited for those with stress, poor blood circulation, tension, and muscle pain. The method uses warm stones placed on strategic areas in the body to ease muscle tension, soothe and relax the body.
Aromatherapy massage: Involves using essential scented oils combined with gentle pressure for emotional healing. The oils are diluted and applied to the skin while inhaling the scents through a diffuser. It boosts mood, relieves pain, and reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
Lymphatic drainage: Increases circulation of lymph fluids in the body. It is a whole-body treatment that boosts the immune system and relaxes the nervous system.
Chair massage: Done while sited and focuses on the neck, shoulder, back, arms, and hands to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
Cranial sacral therapy/ massage: Helps release tension and compression in the lower back, spine, and head bones. The technique involves gentle manipulation of the spine, skull, and pelvic bones to improve the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
Massage Considerations
There are circumstances and conditions where massage therapy is not recommended, such as:
- If you have fractures or broken bones are suspected
- If you have skin rashes, cuts, or infections
- Life-threatening illness
- If you have an active fever
- Overly high blood pressure
- Varicose veins
- Pregnancy
- Skin cancer
- Recent injuries and operation
- Contagious diseases such as the flu or cold
Massage therapy is safe, and risks are rare. If you are interested in a weekly or monthly session, call Axon Health Associates for a relaxing and pain-relieving massage. Our massage therapists will discuss your needs and any health risks you may have before treatment. Contact us today or schedule an appointment online.
Wall Street Office