Guest Contributor: Kelly Kilpatrick
5 Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy
Over the last several years, massage therapy has become a much more widely-used treatment for a variety of ailments, including stress and anxiety-related tension, muscle and joint pain, injury management and many others. Some people regularly visit a massage therapist, while others only make the time for therapy when injured or in pain. There are several benefits of regular massage therapy, some of which are listed below.
Reduction of Stress Levels
Receiving regular massage therapy can benefit clients by reducing their overall stress levels. Having a standing massage appointment, whether weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly, can have a dramatic effect on the individual’s ability to manage stress. Many people harbor stress in certain isolated parts of their body and carry this around with them in their daily lives. Adjusting these affected areas and releasing the tension that has built up regularly goes a long way in helping these people.
Increased Flexibility and Mobility
Due to daily routines and lack of exercise, many patients have lost a great deal of flexibility and mobility over time. Visiting a massage therapist regularly, along with an exercise regimen prescribed by a doctor can go a long way toward increasing an individual’s flexibility and mobility by focusing on specific muscle groups and working to retrain the body. After a few regular sessions, patients feel more flexible and able to take on new physical challenges.
Decreased muscle and Joint Pain
By working through problem areas and ridding the musculature of troubling knots and tension, the body begins to adapt to its realignment. Over time, the necessity to work hard on problem areas becomes less and less necessary, as the patient has learned to use their body without the constant pain of having knotted up muscles affecting their daily life. The body will begin to adjust itself according to the therapy it receives, and if done regularly, the benefits will be hard to ignore.
Release of Toxins
Our bodies store many toxins in muscle tissue, and tense knotted muscles have far more toxins stored up than healthy flexible tissues. Working on these areas will release many stored up toxins that affect a wide variety of issues related to the human body. Regular therapy will help eliminate these toxins and by drinking the right fluids and making a few dietary and lifestyle changes, patients will begin to feel very different indeed.
Overall Increased Quality of Life
Because of all of these things, the quality of life for a patient undergoing regular therapy is certain to increase. Reducing toxins, being more flexible, and having less stress are just a few ways regular massage therapy can help the average person. Of course, if there are any issues with which massage therapy could adversely affect your health, it would certainly benefit you to visit with a physician before initiating any long-term plans related to your body.
This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of massage therapy jobs. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com
You can receive the "5 Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy" in San Antonio when you receive massage therapy at Massage By Ben. Call 210-269-3314 to make your massage appointment or receive more information.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Another Five Common Types Of Massage
It seems as though there are hundreds of types of massage. Well, maybe not hundreds but there are quite a few. Have you wanted to go for a massage session but hesitated because you didn’t know what type of massage to get? Massage can be used for all sorts of purposes and there are numerous techniques that range from deep relaxation to highly effective methods that relieve a wide range of muscular pains and dysfunction. Among the types of massage that are most popular are Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Myofascial Release, Head Massage, Acupressure, and Rolfing Structural Integration.
1. Lymphatic Drainage Massage - Lymphatic drainage massage is a type of massage therapy that assists the body in achieving a free-flowing lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of very tiny vessels and ducts that move fluid, called lymph, throughout the body and is responsible for carrying metabolic waste (toxins) away from healthy cells and carrying germ-fighters to cells when they are under attack by viruses. Though fluid moves through the lymphatic system, it does not have its own pumping mechanism like the circulatory system does therefore lymphatic drainage massage manually speeds up the process. Lymphatic drainage massage is usually very gentle and soothing.
2. Myofascial Release - Myofascial release is a type of massage designed to address restrictions in the connective tissue of the body called fascia. Restrictions in fascia limit movement in the joints, make your muscles seem stiff, constrict blood flow, contribute to postural abnormalities, and are often responsible for pain. During myofascial release the massage therapist applies sustained gentle to moderate pressure into the fascial restrictions. As the pressure is maintained the fascia softens and begins to release the restriction resulting in sensations of relief, increased circulation, and decreased pain.
3. Head Massage - Also known as Champissage or Indian Head Massage this type of massage is quite popular in Europe and is gaining popularity in the United States. Based in the principles of Ayurvedic Medicine, this type of massage is focused on the face, head, neck, and shoulders and is intended to release energy blockages. The energy blockages are believed to cause many common ailments including stress, pain, aches, and even hair loss. Head Massage is a very relaxing way to relieve common aches and pains.
4. Acupressure - Acupressure is a type of massage using pressure on the same specific points of the body as used in Acupuncture in order to reduce stress, tension, and pain while promoting overall health. During an Acupressure session the therapist uses fingers, knuckles, elbows, or a pressure bar to address the acupressure points with varying degrees of pressure. By stimulating points in various areas of the body energy flow is enhanced, circulation improved, and a sense of wellness instilled.
5. Rolfing Structural Integration (Rolfing) - Named for its founder, Dr. Ida Rolf, Rolfing is a technique used to improve the body’s posture or structural alignment by manipulation of connective tissues during a series of sessions. Achieving structural integration by aligning the body’s joints correctly in gravity is believed to improve overall health, and definitely improves the client’s ability to move fluidly with less effort. In many cases improved structure decreases chronic pain. While many recipients of Rolfing report it as being somewhat painful to receive, advances in technique have reduced the amount of pain felt while receiving Rolfing.
All of the massage techniques described here can help you receive the health benefits of massage. Of course there are many more massage therapy techniques available that are relaxing, stress reducing, and that relieve chronic tension and pain. You actually don't have to know what type of massage to ask for, you just need to know what you want to achieve. Do you just want to relax? Reduce muscle soreness? Relieve pain? Improve posture? Ask your massage therapist what they recommend for your particular health needs and get massaged today.
For Massage Therapy in San Antonio please call me at 210-269-3314 or see my website Massage By Ben
1. Lymphatic Drainage Massage - Lymphatic drainage massage is a type of massage therapy that assists the body in achieving a free-flowing lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of very tiny vessels and ducts that move fluid, called lymph, throughout the body and is responsible for carrying metabolic waste (toxins) away from healthy cells and carrying germ-fighters to cells when they are under attack by viruses. Though fluid moves through the lymphatic system, it does not have its own pumping mechanism like the circulatory system does therefore lymphatic drainage massage manually speeds up the process. Lymphatic drainage massage is usually very gentle and soothing.
2. Myofascial Release - Myofascial release is a type of massage designed to address restrictions in the connective tissue of the body called fascia. Restrictions in fascia limit movement in the joints, make your muscles seem stiff, constrict blood flow, contribute to postural abnormalities, and are often responsible for pain. During myofascial release the massage therapist applies sustained gentle to moderate pressure into the fascial restrictions. As the pressure is maintained the fascia softens and begins to release the restriction resulting in sensations of relief, increased circulation, and decreased pain.
3. Head Massage - Also known as Champissage or Indian Head Massage this type of massage is quite popular in Europe and is gaining popularity in the United States. Based in the principles of Ayurvedic Medicine, this type of massage is focused on the face, head, neck, and shoulders and is intended to release energy blockages. The energy blockages are believed to cause many common ailments including stress, pain, aches, and even hair loss. Head Massage is a very relaxing way to relieve common aches and pains.
4. Acupressure - Acupressure is a type of massage using pressure on the same specific points of the body as used in Acupuncture in order to reduce stress, tension, and pain while promoting overall health. During an Acupressure session the therapist uses fingers, knuckles, elbows, or a pressure bar to address the acupressure points with varying degrees of pressure. By stimulating points in various areas of the body energy flow is enhanced, circulation improved, and a sense of wellness instilled.
5. Rolfing Structural Integration (Rolfing) - Named for its founder, Dr. Ida Rolf, Rolfing is a technique used to improve the body’s posture or structural alignment by manipulation of connective tissues during a series of sessions. Achieving structural integration by aligning the body’s joints correctly in gravity is believed to improve overall health, and definitely improves the client’s ability to move fluidly with less effort. In many cases improved structure decreases chronic pain. While many recipients of Rolfing report it as being somewhat painful to receive, advances in technique have reduced the amount of pain felt while receiving Rolfing.
All of the massage techniques described here can help you receive the health benefits of massage. Of course there are many more massage therapy techniques available that are relaxing, stress reducing, and that relieve chronic tension and pain. You actually don't have to know what type of massage to ask for, you just need to know what you want to achieve. Do you just want to relax? Reduce muscle soreness? Relieve pain? Improve posture? Ask your massage therapist what they recommend for your particular health needs and get massaged today.
For Massage Therapy in San Antonio please call me at 210-269-3314 or see my website Massage By Ben
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