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How Can Massage Help You

Massage is one of the best known antidotes for stress.  Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook on life, and in the process reduces your liklihood of injury and illness.  Massage con also relieve symptons of conditions that are aggravated by anxiety, such as asthma or insomnia.  Because is relieves stress, massage is an excellent supportive therapy for people in psychological counseling or treatment for addiction.

 

Injuries​

Massage can facilitate the healing of injuries such as tendonities that develop over time, as well as ligament sprains or muscle sprains caused by an accident.  Massage reduces inflammation by increasing circulation, which removes waste products and brings nutrition to injured cells.  Certain massage techniques can limit scar formation in new injuries and can reduce or make more pliable scar tissue around old injuries.

Prevention of New Injuries

Massage can help prevent new injuries that might be caused by stressing unbalanced muscle groups, or by favoring or forcing a painful restricted area.

 

Pain or Restriction in Joints

Besides releasing tight muscles that restrict joint movement, massage works directly on your joints to improve circulation, stimulate production of natural lubrication, and relieve pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

 
Posture​

Massage releases restrictions in muscles, joints, and the muscles tough connective tissue coverings, freeing your body to return to a natural posture.  Massage can also relieve the contracted muscles and pain caused by abnormal spinal curvatures such as scoliosis.

 

Is Massage Always Appropriate?

There are some conditions for which massage is not appropriate.  Always tell your massage therapist if you have a medical problem, even a minor one.  Also let your primary health care practitioner know you are receiving massage.

What Can Be Expected When You Receive Your First Massage?

The massage therapist will ask you about the reasons for getting a massage, current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress levels and experience with specific areas of pain.  If necessary, undressing takes place in private and a sheet, towel or gown is provided for draping during the massage.  The therapist undrapes only the area of the body being massaged, ensuring modesty is respected at all times.  The massage takes place on a comfortable padded table.

How Will A Massage Feel?

Massage on normal tissue is almost always a pleasant sensation.  Massage in the area of injury or chronic pain may at first cause some discomfort which usually lessens noticeably in the first few minutes.  Your educated massage therapist knows ways to minimize pain, and will work carefully within what feels right to you.  Always tell your massage therapist if you feel any discomfort so she or he can make adjustments.

Your Personalized Plan

On your first visit, your massage therapist will ask general health questions and review referring practitioner's recommendations.  Your massage therapist will then assess your problem area to determine the best approach, perhaps by checking for restricted or painful movement, gently feeling for tenderness, and looking at your posture.  Your massage therapist will then decide on a plan which will focus on your problem area, along with other areas that may be related.  Your therapist may recommend a series of massages.  The appropriate frequency, duration, and number of massage sessions for you will depend on your problem, its severity, how long you have had it, and your general health.

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