Before you book a massage, ask yourself a question to determine the type of therapy that’s ideal for you. For instance, if you’re looking for a relaxing massage, do you want it to help relieve stress or treat a particular condition? Many providers use various styles. The therapist can customize the massage for you depending on your needs and goals.
Health Benefits of Massage Therapy
Aside from providing relaxation, massage can also help treat various conditions. For instance, massage complements Western medicine and can help treat various conditions, such as cancer. It can reduce pain and inflammation and improve one’s immune system function. Before using it, you must speak with your doctor about its effects on your body. Certain body areas that can be affected by cancer should also be avoided.
Research has shown that massage therapy can help treat back pain, and this is typically what the majority of individuals use massage therapy for. Aside from treating back pain, massage therapy can also help treat headaches. Some studies suggest that it can reduce the severity of migraines.
In a clinical trial, researchers conducted a study on the effects of Swedish massage on knee osteoarthritis. They found that the participants who received one hour of massage per week experienced improvements in their condition.
A review of 17 studies revealed that massage therapy could help reduce depression. However, it wasn’t as effective as other forms of therapy for treating generalized anxiety disorder.
A Few Types of Massage Therapy
Drainage of lymph is a type of massage designed to increase the flow of lymph fluid in your body. This process helps remove toxins and other impurities from the body by separating them from the lymph nodes. It’s done through gentle strokes along the skin.
Sports massage is a therapy designed to help athletes improve their performance by developing and maintaining muscle systems used for a specific sport. It can also help prevent injuries.
One of the most effective forms of massage therapy is deep tissue massage, designed to treat specific muscle strains and soreness. This therapy uses slow strokes to pressure the tissues under your skin. It can also help relieve muscle injuries and chronic patterns of tension.