What Can Massage Do For You?

Therapeutic massage focuses on healing and pain relief. It can help prevent injuries and heal them faster. It also improves sleep and boosts energy.

Massage

Despite its reputation as a self-indulgent luxury, many people find massage therapy deeply relaxing and beneficial.

Massage stimulates the lymphatic system and increases circulation, bringing more nutrients to tissues and organs. It also encourages the body to get rid of waste products and toxins.

Studies have shown that people who receive regular massages experience lower levels of pain and report less need for pain medication than those who do not. Some doctors even recommend massage as part of a comprehensive pain management plan for patients with chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Most commonly, a massage is used to relieve back and neck pain. However, the benefits of massage aren’t limited to these areas, and it can benefit many other parts of the body as well. For instance, a sports massage can help improve the range of motion of joints affected by injury. In addition, a deep-tissue massage can reduce the tension that builds in muscles after a hard workout.

A massage can help to calm the fight-or-flight response that triggers panic attacks in some people. By calming this reaction, a massage can be beneficial to those who suffer from anxiety and depression, as well as those with a history of trauma or abuse. In addition, a relaxing massage can be helpful in improving a person’s mood and reducing stress levels, which can contribute to anxiety.

According to the gate control theory of pain, a noxious stimulus passes through a series of gates before reaching the brain. Some gates transmit the noxious sensation, while others inhibit it. The hypothesis is that massage therapy can close the gates by stimulating large nerve fibers that compete with pain signals, thus altering perceptions of pain.

In one study, massage reduced a patient’s reliance on pain medications and increased their functioning ability. The researchers recommended that massage should be integrated into standard hospital care. This is an exciting development, and it would be great if more medical professionals started to incorporate this type of treatment into their arsenals to help manage the pain associated with many conditions. Until then, it’s important to talk with your rheumatologist or primary care physician before getting a massage.

Increases Circulation

One of the many things massage is known to do is improve circulation. This is believed to be due to both the physical manipulation of soft tissue and chemicals released as part of the body’s relaxation response. Increased circulation can enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells, resulting in improved cellular health and the removal of metabolic wastes.

In addition, the vasodilation produced by massage helps to improve circulation by widening blood vessels and reducing their resistance. This, in turn, can help to reduce the buildup of lactic acid and other waste products within muscles and in joints.

It is important to note, however, that while most massage techniques aid circulation in some way, some methods are more effective than others at improving blood flow. For instance, if a therapist massages your arms and pushes all the glides down into your fingers, this will not be helpful for your circulation. The lymph nodes in your fingers are not able to neutralize the excess fluid, and it will simply start to build up in the joints of your arms and hands. In order to get a good, deep circulation boost from your massage, it is important to ensure that all glides are working their way up towards the heart.

Another excellent way to boost your circulation is to exercise regularly. Even a walk around the mall or workout at your gym can be great for you and your circulation!

It is also worth noting that the chest compressions used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (the “CPR”) can actually move a lot of blood. This is because the pressure that is applied to the chest — literally squishing it with your hands to passively simulate a heartbeat — can actually increase circulation enough to be helpful. So, if you are trying to use your massage to save a life, do not skip the chest compressions! But if you want to see a real, significant increase in your circulation, try out some regular, intense cardiovascular exercise. It’ll be better for you in the long run!

Relaxes Muscles

A massage helps maintain healthy muscles by increasing oxygenation to the tissues and decreasing muscle fatigue. Oxygen is used by muscle cells for energy and is important for cellular exchange. A lack of oxygen results in fatigued and weak muscles which can lead to injury. Massage increases blood flow bringing in more oxygen to the muscles. Massage also reduces the build-up of waste products allowing your body to eliminate them efficiently.

Muscle tightness is a form of hypertonicity which can cause imbalance in the body. Tight muscles can pull posture out of alignment, restrict movement and constrict blood flow. Massages relieve tightness by reducing the high tone in the muscle fibres and increasing elasticity in the tissue.

Tight muscles are able to develop knots which increase pain and restriction, and massages break down these adhesions. The pressure and kneading movements in massages realign the muscle fibres back to their normal plane of motion. This decreases the tightness of the muscles and reduces the occurrence of muscle injuries during exercise or pre event training.

After a massage it is recommended to relax and rest for an hour or so. It is important to avoid anything too strenuous such as a heavy workout or vigorous activity. This is because the muscles have just been manipulated and the body may need time to get back to its normal state.

Showering after a massage is also not recommended because the moisture could cause further irritation to the muscle fibres. Ideally, you should wait to shower until about an hour after your massage to allow the skin to properly absorb the oils and lotions used in the treatment.

In the days after your massage it is recommended to drink plenty of water and eat light foods such as fruits and vegetables. This will help keep your immune system strong and prevent inflammation after the session. This will help you recover faster and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is especially important during the week following your massage to ensure you are able to reap the benefits and maintain the results that you have gained from the therapy.

Relieves Anxiety

Most people are aware that massage relieves muscle soreness and promotes blood flow, but many don’t realize it can help alleviate anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues, yet it is often overlooked. Many people who suffer from it do not seek treatment because they think their symptoms are not severe enough, or they believe there is nothing that can be done to help them feel better.

But studies show that massage has powerful effects on the nervous system, decreasing stress hormones and increasing “happy” chemicals that make you feel good. The act of receiving a massage triggers the body to release endorphins, natural mood enhancers that boost feelings of happiness and euphoria and reduce pain. Massage also helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which slows the heart rate and reduces stress levels.

During massage, the brain sends messages to the body to increase temperature, which causes the blood vessels to expand, and increases circulation. This allows oxygen to reach the tissues and cells, removing waste products and reducing tension. It also helps to decrease the heart rate and blood pressure, which further decreases stress levels.

Anxiety can have a number of physical symptoms, including tight muscles and headaches. In addition to relieving headaches, massage can ease the stress-related neck and back pain that often accompanies anxiety. Massage also helps to loosen tense muscles and joints, which can improve posture and lead to a general sense of relaxation.

A study comparing the effects of massage to standard medical care on chronic pain conditions found that patients who received massage experienced improvements in all three of the outcomes measured: pain intensity, depression and anxiety. In fact, the reductions in pain and anxiety were maintained at a three-month follow-up.

Another study compared the effect of two different types of massage to each other on immediate anxiety levels and intermediate-term occupational stress. This study was limited by problems with recruitment and randomization, but it still showed that hand massage significantly reduced anxiety in emergency nurses during both summer and winter, as well as decreasing sick leave and workload.

Sports Massage – Is It Only For Athletes?

It is a common misconception that sports massage is only for athletes, but anyone who exercises regularly can benefit from it. Regular exercise creates tension and stiffness in the muscles, resulting in injury if not managed properly.

Sports Massage

Amateur athletes put their bodies through the same strain as professional athletes and would benefit from sports massage pre and post events. This will help them recover quickly and prevent injuries. Visit their Website for more information.

The Pre-event phase of sports massage is generally undertaken shortly before a workout or competition to prepare the soft tissue and encourage optimum performance. This type of massage will generally involve a full body massage but focuses on the muscles that will be most active during your event. This is to help loosen the muscles and increase their flexibility, as well as to stimulate feel good hormones in preparation for the activity.

Pre-event massage is different to normal deep tissue massage as the treatment is designed to be done before an exercise or competition, to complement not replace the athlete’s warm up routine. Pre-event massage is typically a short, oil less, specific treatment lasting 10-15 minutes and involves techniques such as effleurage, friction (cross fibre strokes that help to increase muscle elasticity), kneading, compression (deep, short, firm pressure), resistance stretching, counterstrain, light vibration and joint mobilisations.

Having a massage prior to an event will warm the muscles, increase muscle elasticity and encourage feel good hormones, which in turn will enhance performance. It will also help to reduce the body’s natural stress response by reducing cortisol levels which can lead to a decrease in performance.

A pre-event massage can help to identify any problem areas before they become a serious injury, which can be beneficial to the athlete as it will allow them to focus on what’s important and not worry about their injury. This may also give them a confidence boost which can be vital in achieving their goal.

It is important to remember that a pre-event massage should not be performed until the athlete has fully warmed up, and should only take place once the athlete is ready to start their exercise. This is to prevent the body from warming up too quickly, causing it to lose its elasticity and reduce the effectiveness of the massage.

Having a short, post-event massage within two days after an event will also help the recovery process by stimulating fresh blood flow to the area and helping to reduce the likelihood of delayed onset muscle soreness. This can be particularly useful for athletes who are training or competing at the same venue on a regular basis.

Post-event

For those involved in intense athletic activities, a post-event massage is often recommended. These sessions are designed to encourage relaxation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. This helps the body to return to a state of rest, which is important to allow muscles and soft tissue to recover from the stress of intense exercise and competition. In addition, these sessions are designed to help increase vascular and lymph flow. This facilitates the body’s removal of waste products from the muscles, such as lactic acid. This can help prevent delayed onset muscle soreness.

After exercising, the muscles are full of toxins and waste. This waste can lead to pain, fatigue, and stiffness. A post-event sports massage can aid the body’s recovery process by flushing these toxins and waste away. It can also decrease swelling and pain, and encourage flexibility in the muscles. These sessions are usually shorter than pre-event massages and can be done right after the event or a day or two later.

The pre-event phase of sports massage is designed to prepare the athlete for an athletic activity. This phase can include a variety of techniques, including friction, vibration, and tapping. A good pre-event session will loosen the muscles and help them relax, which will improve performance.

During this phase, the massage therapist will apply pressure to the muscle groups that are most affected by the activity. The therapist will also focus on the joints of the involved area, especially those that will be moving during the event. A good pre-event massage should take place about a hour before the event begins.

While it may seem that pre and post-event massage is reserved for elite athletes, it’s important to note that the benefits of this type of massage are applicable to all types of athletic participants. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or simply a weekend warrior, proper athletic recovery can make all the difference in your performance. A pre and post-event sports massage can help you achieve your goals by preventing injury, improving endurance, and increasing the quality of your workouts.

Routine maintenance

Sports massage is a form of deep tissue massage that is specifically optimized for athletes, using techniques tailored to the particular sport they participate in. It is designed to improve range of motion and flexibility, decrease muscle stiffness and enhance performance. It can also help with a variety of problems that are associated with participating in sporting activities including reducing stress, increasing the body’s ability to relax and sleep and lowering the risk of injury.

This type of massage is used to prevent serious athletic injury by enhancing muscle flexibility, stimulating circulation, and improving the overall condition of the muscles. It is most effective when it is done between training sessions and not during an actual competition or event.

In order to achieve the best results, the massage must be targeted at specific areas of the body that have been stressed and overworked during the course of a workout or sporting activity. This can be accomplished by having a session scheduled at regular intervals, such as fortnightly or every six weeks. This allows the therapist to focus on different areas of the body, check in on any historic issues and address any new problems as they arise.

Pre-event Massage

A pre-event massage is a quick and light form of sports massage that should be done approximately an hour before the athlete’s event. This is a great way to stimulate the muscle tissue, increase blood flow, and get rid of any toxins. It is also very beneficial for reducing the symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which are caused by metabolic insufficiency and build up of lactic acid in the muscles.

It is important that athletes participate in a balanced fitness program, and this includes regular exercise, good nutrition and proper rest. It is recommended that all athletes consider adding sports massage to their routine. With the proper technique and timing, this form of massage can greatly enhance an athlete’s physical and mental performance. Athletes at any level can benefit from the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural mood elevators and pain killers, as well as reducing fatigue, muscle soreness and inflammation.

Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation phase of sports massage is geared around injuries and re-establishing muscle balance. It breaks down scar tissue, alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, speeds up recovery, and decreases the risk of re-injury. It also consists of techniques that help restore muscle flexibility and improve range of motion. This type of massage therapy is important for anyone who exercises. Aside from the obvious physical benefits, it reduces anxiety and improves moods and sleep as well.

The first step of a rehabilitation session involves relieving the muscles from stiffness and tightness by applying different massage techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, vibration, and wringing. These techniques increase blood flow to the muscles and improve the removal of waste products such as lactic acid and pyruvic acids that build up in the muscle after exercise. It also improves the movement of nutrient rich blood and helps relieve pain caused by exercise.

In the next stage, the therapist will begin working on deep layers of the muscles that are causing tension and tightness to release the tensed up muscles. The therapist will use their hands and fingers as well as their knuckles to work on the soft tissues. They may also knead the area using the palm of their hand and the heel of their foot to work on the tight areas. This can cause some tenderness after the massage but this should disappear within a few days.

The rehabilitative phase is an integral part of any sports injury treatment. Without it, the injured athlete will take longer to recover and will not be able to perform at their peak. It is recommended that athletes undergo rehabilitative massage on a regular basis to avoid re-injury and to perform at their best.

Aside from reducing the risk of injuries, sports massage can boost performance and improve athletic training. It is especially helpful for professional athletes between training sessions. It can help prevent injuries, prepare the body for competition, and increase muscle movement. It also increases stamina and endurance, improves coordination, and psychologically prepares the athlete to perform their best.