Massage Basics

The benefits of a massage are exponential. Along with the extreme relaxation you will feel, there are numerous other responses that will increase your quality of life. There are a number of way in which these benefits can occur, but here are a few massage basics worth knowing:

Massage therapy has been proven effective for treating different types of headache, including reducing migraines, and improving sleep. Back pain is also decreased as studies show massage helps take away the need for painkillers by 36% on average. The stress hormone cortisol is also reduced by up to 50%. A great massage promotes flexibility and releases tension in cramped muscles. A great massage will also eliminate toxins from your muscles and fat due to an increase in oxygen around your body.

Massages are shown to be 86% effective in reducing pain and are used by a variety of a clients. Out of the United States population, around 20% experience at least one massage each year. That number increases to 40% when looking at the past five years, and it is not just women. One out of every ten men say they experience a massage.
Healthcare industry workers tend to be big fans of massage therapy as well. Many massage therapists, around 73%, receive their referrals directly from health care professionals. Overwhelmingly, massage therapists (around 96%) believe that massage should widely be considered a part of the healthcare field.

For those new to the world of massage, it may seem overwhelming trying to determine which massage would be best for you. Here are some of the most popular types to help point you in the right direction:

Swedish Massage: the most common type of massage therapy. This is perfect for newbies or those not a fan of deep tissue massages that could create a lot of pressure. Long, stroking motions will be used to help propel your body into a relaxed state and you will leave feeling wonderful.

Deep Tissue Massage: best for giving attention to stiff, painful trouble spots. For those knotted muscles that are tied up, the deep tissue massage will release that tension. A deep and strong motion technique is used to get the best results.

Sports Massage: a specific routine for those that are athletes or victim to chronic pain. Every sport is different and creates unique wear and tear on specific muscle groups depending on the activity. Sports massages are developed to help with these muscle groups and are used by top athletes from across the world.

Reflexology: a relaxing way to relieve stress through the hands, feet and ears. Reflexology helps stimulate certain areas of each of those regions that correspond with different parts of the body. Although it cannot fully treat any medical condition, it has been proven to help aid treatment of anxiety, asthma, cancer, diabetes, headaches and kidney function.

Lomi Lomi: also known as ‘Hawaiian,’ this is a deeper, more intimate style. Lomi Lomi, directly translated from Hawaiian, means to knead, rub. or smooth. During this type of treatment, the body is rubbed continuously and smoothly. Aside from relaxation, some of the positive impact from Lomi Lomi include release from depression, anxiety, and muscle tension.

Massage Chair: a more expensive home remedy to massage therapy. Specially designed chairs can provide full body massages from the comfort of your home. This is great for light massage needs as they do not have the ability to pinpoint specific needs. Typical costs of a massage chair can be between $3,000 – $8,000.