Is your body feeling sore and stiff, has suffered an injury, or are your muscles shouting to feel relaxed? If yes, getting the right massage therapy is the best solution you can go for.
Body massage is not always a luxury but a necessity in many situations. Massage therapy is a great way to release stress and stiffness from the body and mind.
Massage therapy should not be limited to athletes but should be a regular part of one’s life to stay healthy.
Massage therapies are of different types and are for various purposes.
Most people do not understand the importance and benefit of massage therapies and replace them with over-the-counter pain relievers, which is the last thing that you can do for your weary body.
If you are new to the massage world, follow this guide to understand the wonders of massage therapy and choose the best therapy.
Massage therapy- your body’s best friend.
Your body will thank you and love you if you decide to take on massage therapy.
Massage therapy involves different techniques and movements (like kneading, rubbing, etc.) to create varying pressure levels to heal, soothe and relax the muscles, tissues, and ultimately your mind.
Massage therapy is an ancient practice to deal with body issues, and now with technological advancements, the age-old techniques have been elevated to a new level.
If you want to heal your muscles after an injury, prevent your muscle and tissues from getting injured (if you are an athlete), stay healthy, release stress, or relax your mind and body, opting for the right massage therapy is all you need.
Different massage therapies and when to choose them.
Massage therapies come in a lot of varieties and types. The different massages target different issues, and one massage that works for an individual will not necessarily work for another.
Massage therapy can vary in pressure, the type of stroke and movement being used, use or no use of a topical solution or oil, use of hand or special tools, and the duration. A massage can be as short as 5 minutes or as long as 2 hours!
Choosing the right massage therapy is vital to getting effective results. Before selecting a massage, you should be clear about why you need the massage.
Each body is different and has varying needs and requirements; therefore, massage therapy should also be chosen accordingly. Choosing massage therapy can also affect your age, body condition, past injury history, and goals.
Let’s have a look at the different massage types and when to choose them:
Deep Tissue Massage:
If you are looking for a deep pressure massage to relieve the soreness and tightness of muscles and reduce muscle pain, then a deep tissue massage should be perfect.
Muscles can get sore and painful when repeatedly used for the same purpose, even if it is a simple activity like sitting.
Driving, working long hours on a laptop, or studying in the same position for a long time regularly can cause the muscle to tighten and stiff.
In a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist will use high pressure, slow strokes to get to the deepest parts of the muscles and tissues.
It is a more focused massage as it targets the problematic spots relieves them of strain and stiffness. A therapist will use different therapeutic oils or lotions to make the massage more therapeutic, soothing, and effective.
A deep tissue massage is preferred to relieve pain from body areas like the shoulders, neck, legs, and back. It is a high-pressure massage, so if your body is sensitive to pressure, then your experience will not be enjoyable.
In fact, it is not recommended if your body cannot bear high-pressure strokes.
Swedish Massage (Relaxation Massage):
One of the most common types of massage is the Swedish massage which is generally taken to relax your body and mind. This is generally a full-body massage done by applying light or medium pressure through long strokes.
The strokes can be of different types like rubbing, taping, circular movements, and kneading. The massage is carried out with aromatic oils to relax your mind and create a soothing effect.
An hour of Swedish massage therapy will do wonders for your body. It is best to take this message if you want to relax, feel light and manage stress hormones. It can also relax your stiff muscles and relieve you of pain.
Sports Massage:
Athletes are the ones who need massage therapies the most. Their body goes through a lot of work and needs relaxation and great care.
Excessive working out of the muscles can also result in injuries that are best dealt with in sports massage therapy.
If you are an athlete in Calgary, you can go for sports massage therapy in Calgary to relax your muscles, stay fit and healthy, and prevent your muscles from getting injured.
Sports massage therapy also helps increase flexibility and strength of the muscles and release anxiety and chronic pain.
A sports massage therapy is similar to deep tissue massage but focuses more on the desired body part. It can be full-body but usually is focused on specific body parts only.
The strokes in a sports massage can vary from high pressure to low pressure depending on the body condition and requirements.
Prenatal Massage:
Having a baby is not an easy task. The growing baby causes lots of stress and pain in different body parts.
Prenatal massage is designed explicitly for moms-to-be facing pains and aches in different body parts or looking to relax their body and mind.
Prenatal massage is beneficial for the baby as well because a happy, relaxed, and stress-free mom will make the baby feel calm and grow healthy.
Prenatal massages should be carried out by specialists only because, if done wrongly, they can cause harm to the baby and the mother.
It is somewhat similar to a Swedish massage as it uses light pressure only. The main focus areas in a prenatal massage are the hips, legs, and lower back.
Trigger Point Massage:
As the name suggests, trigger point massage focuses on relaxing trigger points of the body. A spot muscle spasm or a muscle knot is generally referred to as a trigger point.
Trigger point pain is not limited to the specific spot but will gradually reach surrounding areas making it uncomfortable and painful.
Trigger point massage is best for such chronic pain. It is a great way to untie knots in a muscle and relax it and reduce stiffness in a particular region.
The massage is carried out on specific areas only, with deep pressure strokes to reach the deep tissues and muscles and broad, rubbing strokes to relax the muscles.
The focus of the massage is to relax the trigger spots and increase blood flow to the affected areas.
Conclusion:
Massage therapies are a great way to rejuvenate your body, improve body wellness, improve sleep, reduce anxiety levels, manage stress, get rid of chronic pain, prevent your body from injuries, make the muscle more flexible, and strengthen body immunity.
Different massage therapies will give you different benefits, so choosing the right massage therapy for your body is very important.
The wrong choice of massage therapy can do you more bad than good. So be mindful before choosing the perfect massage therapy.
I am Kate, a dedicated health advocate. My purpose is to educate you regarding the most current wellness trends, offer science-backed insights to enhance your understanding, and present actionable tips to support you on your journey towards a healthier and happier life. Let us commence this wellness path together!