Stress Release Massage
Posted on June 7, 2009
Filed Under Massage Therapy | Leave a Comment
CAM refers to Complementary Alternative Medcine. Every state has its own rules for certification and because of this a massage can be different from place to place. That said; massage, from a trained therapist, can be very helpful in treating aches and pains, whiplash, stress and a number of other medical conditions. If you are seeking medical massage, make sure that your therapist and doctor work together to formulate a plan that will work best for you.
When considering massage for stress relief there are a number of techniques that are commonly utilized. A Swedish massage is a gentle treatment that focuses upon relaxing the client through long strokes, kneading and friction. In a spa setting you will generally find therapists who do mostly Swedish massage. Another relaxing massage is a Hot Stone massage. Stones, usually basalt, are heated in water and then used to perform the massage. The combination of heat and massage is profoundly relaxing. Aromatherapy can be included in any massage to increase the relaxation effect.
While both Swedish and Hot stone massages provide some pain relief, their objective is relaxation. If you are in need of pain relief you want to try Deep Tissue massage, also known as Trigger Point Therapy or Neuromuscular Massage. Points in our muscles that are not relaxed are often called trigger spots. Commonly called ‘knots,’ these areas refer pain to other regions of the body, especially when pressed. A Neuromuscular therapist knows how to get these areas of tension to release; allowing the muscle to return to normal function, alleviating your pain.
Another effective massage for pain relief is Myofascial Release. Much gentler in nature than Neuromuscular Massage, myofascial release is best suited to areas that are very tender, for example the lower back and glutes. Although myofascial techniques can be used anywhere in the body, the work is slow by design, making it virtually impossible to do an entire massage utilizing the technique. Therapists trained in myofascial release will usually incorporate it in a massage where needed.
Each complaint is treated with a specific plan and massage. The more you can tell your therapist about your health history the better the treatment plan will be. Many common ailments, like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis can be treated with massage therapy. It is always good to involve your physician in treatment plans; your results will be better if everyone is working toward the same goal.
Research into the effects of massage therapy continues constantly. Studies have shown that regular massage can help lower blood pressure, improve immune response, help manage back pain and improve range of motion, among a number of other benefits. If only for the reason that massage is such a pleasure, you should include it in your life from time to time. You might just be surprised at how much better you feel.
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