Why You Need a Massage
Most of us have tried out a massage at some point or another, and we all know how relaxing the experience is. Many of us have also wondered- given the pricing and time commitment of getting regular massages- are they really necessary? Will the benefits outweigh these cons and result in a worthy experience? To be able to make an educated decision for yourself, let’s dive into the topic of massage therapy as a whole.
History of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy dates at least all the way back to 3000 BCE. Hindus in India have long practiced Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine that aims to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda believes that massage helps to restore the body’s natural balance, and gets the individual back in sync with the environment.
Principles of massage then began to make their way around the world- we saw it applied to Chinese medicine and later used in the spiritual training of Buddhists and Taoists. We credit the ancient Egyptians with the development of reflexology, which involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears. We know that the Japanese created Shiatsu, which uses pressure along the body’s energy pathways (meridians) to balance the flow of qi (life force energy). The people of Ancient Greece started using herbs and oils in conjunction with massage to prepare athletes for competitions, and the Roman Empire placed a huge emphasis on massage therapy for healing emperors. In the early 1800s, a Swedish doctor of gymnastics developed the techniques that we now know as Swedish massage. All of this is to say- for thousands of years, people have worked to strengthen and add on to the foundation of massage therapy because they believed in its ability to heal the body.
Types of Massage
Over time, massage therapy has developed into a multitude of disciplines. It’s nearly impossible to list all of the types of massage, but we will briefly explore 9 of the most common types.
Therapeutic Massage: combines a variety of techniques depending on the needs of the individual. Therapeutic treatments involve slow strokes, varying pressure, and medical massage techniques such as myofascial release (manipulation of connective tissue called facia), trigger point therapy (compression therapy on pain referral points), and stretching.
Swedish Massage: uses slow, gliding strokes and kneading in a light to medium pressure. These rhythmic strokes allow the body and the the mind to fall into a state of deep relaxation.
Chair Massage: focuses on the areas of your back, shoulders, neck, arms and hands with the most tension. This massage is given over your clothes, so it’s perfect for anyone who may be uncomfortable with stripping down.
Lymphatic Massage: utilized to stimulate the movement of the lymphatic fluid in the body to assist in cleansing and detoxifying the connective tissue. The lymphatic system sits right under your skin, so this is a very light pressure massage.
Prenatal Massage: for expecting mothers focused on relieving physical pain and tension, promoting a healthy pregnancy. Each prenatal massage is customized to the individual’s needs as the body fluctuates and changes throughout pregnancy.
Deep Tissue Massage: targets deeper muscle layers with firm pressure to release knots, tightness, soreness, etc. May be too intense for those with a preference towards light to medium pressure.
Reflexology: focuses on pressure points in feet, hands, and ears to aid in functioning of vital organs. Great for those who don’t want to be touched across the entire body.
Sports Massage: deeper pressure on problem areas to heal muscle overuse or injury and increase performance.
Shiatsu: therapist typically uses fingertips, knuckle, or elbow to loosen muscles and free blockages to one’s natural energy flow.
Benefits of Regular Massage
Now that we know a little more about the different types of massage and their unique approaches, we can explore all of the benefits that they have to offer. While each of these types of massage have varying goals, they can generally accomplish similar results. These may include but are not limited to:
managing chronic pain and injuries
promoting relaxation, stress relief, and better sleep
improving range of motion, flexibility, and mobility
boosting circulation
reducing tension
cleansing and detoxifying lymphatic system
improving immune system
regulating blood pressure and nervous system
reducing swelling and inflammation
improving posture
releasing endorphins (natural pain relief) and stabilizing hormones
How often should I get a massage to really reap the benefits?
The short answer? Massage therapists generally recommend monthly massages, about every four weeks. The long answer? The ideal frequency for a massage largely depends on the individual. You will want to assess different elements of your lifestyle, such as levels of activity, stress, and pain, health concerns or conditions, and your budget. Examining these factors will leave you well equipped to make this decision and as always, consult with your massage therapist and/or physician to find a frequency that works well for you.
Interested in trying out a massage with us? Book your appointment here.
*Massage therapy is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. A massage can not be a substitute for medical care.