Massage Therapy

Benefits of Massage Therapy as reported by Mayo Clinic

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Some specific conditions that massage can help include:

Anxiety
Depression
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headache
Insomnia
Nerve pain
Postoperative care
Scar tissue
Soft tissue strains and injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders

Physical benefits

For most patients, massage therapy is an important part of specific medical treatment plans to help them return to daily activities. For example, massage therapy is helpful after joint replacement surgery or injury.

Physical benefits of massage include:

Improved circulation
Decreased muscle stiffness
Decreased joint inflammation
Better quality of sleep
Quicker recovery between workouts
Improved flexibility
Less pain and soreness
Strengthened immune response

Mental benefits

Massage also has many mental health benefits. Even people who are focused on the physical benefits say they feel less stressed after getting a massage.

Other mental benefits include:

Lower stress levels
Improved relaxation
Improved mood
Decreased anxiety
More energy
Increase feeling of wellness

After a massage

It's common to feel relaxed, tired or even sore after a massage. This is because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist. After a massage, it may feel like you completed a workout. It is possible to experience a headache or nausea after a massage.

Some people think that massage must hurt to help. But a massage doesn't need to be painful to be effective.

If your massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during a massage.

Finding a massage therapist

Like choosing other health care professionals, it's important to be a conscious consumer when selecting a massage therapist. Ask your primary care provider or someone else you trust to recommend a reputable business or therapist.

Don't be afraid to ask a potential massage therapist questions such as:

Are you licensed, certified or registered?
What is your training and experience?
How many massage therapy sessions do you think I'll need?
What's the cost, and is it covered by health insurance?

A skilled therapist has a vast toolbox of techniques that can be incorporated based on your needs, and he or she will respond and modify these techniques based on your feedback.

Massage therapy is safe and effective for people of all ages. It's not only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. It's a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are looking for a stress reliever.