Massage Therapy
What is it?
The art and science of massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic effect. A therapeutic massage induces deep muscular relaxation while promoting circulation throughout the body.
Massage gives you a roadmap of stress areas in your body. Many times people don’t know how much stress they’re carrying until they have a massage; then they’re able to feel it and let go of it.
Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading and other movements focused on superficial layers of muscle using massage oil or lotion.
Massage therapy improves circulation by bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. It relieves muscle tension and pain, increases flexibility and mobility, and helps clear lactic acid and other waste, which reduces pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.
As the massage therapist stretches and loosens muscles and connective tissues, stress and muscular tension are released. Once you have an awareness of where stress lodges in your body, you can begin to do something about it. You start to educate yourself and your body, and you reverse a negative cycle.
Massage therapy relieves stress. It is thought to help the body’s stress response by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol. Massage therapy also appears to enhance immune function.
Benefits of massage therapy
Massage therapy is recommended for:
-
Chronic stress relief
-
Relief of pain
-
Improved Circulation
-
Muscle rehabilitation/Increased joint mobility
-
Heightened body awareness and energy
-
Pregnancy
-
Health Maintenance
In addition, massage therapy may be effective in the treatment of:
-
Whiplash
-
Headache
-
Back, neck and shoulder pain
-
Athletic injuries
-
Post-surgical rehabilitation
-
Neuralgia including sciatica
-
Arthritis/Rheumatism
-
Constipation
-
Cellulite Reduction
-
Digestive Disorders
-
Recurring muscle disorders
