What conditions can be treated with massage therapy?
Massage therapy — the hands-on manipulation of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue using varying degrees of pressure by a trained therapist — can help those with a variety of health conditions including, but not limited to, the following:
- Back pain
- Headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer
- Stress injuries
- Daily stress and tension
- Acute and chronic problems
- Anxiety and depression
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Fatigue and insomnia
- Myofascial pain syndrome
Massage is often prescribed in conjunction with other therapies or to enhance other treatment methods. It can also help reduce the need for pain medications.
What are the different types of massage therapy?
There are many different types of massage therapy. Some of the techniques most commonly used for pain and stress relief include:
- Swedish massage, a gentle relaxing therapy
- Deep tissue, or rehabilitative massage, for treating muscle injuries
- Sports massage, to help prevent or repair sports-related injuries
- Trigger point massage, which focuses on tight muscle fibers resulting from injury or overuse
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
Added to your health and wellness routine, or as part of your treatment plan for a health condition, massage therapy offers many benefits including:
- Reducing muscle tension
- Enhancing your ability to exercise
- Improving your cardiovascular health
- Improving balance for older men and women
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Increasing range of motion
- Reducing chemotherapy-related nausea
- Improving circulation
- Improving posture
- Strengthening your body’s immune system
- Improving your overall quality of life
What can I expect during a massage therapy session?
Initially, your therapist asks about health conditions, areas of concern, injuries, or which areas of your body you’d like to receive therapeutic massage. Based on your specific condition or reasons for getting a massage, your massage therapist may recommend a specific type of massage that is most effective for treating your issues. In most cases, you undress to your comfort level and lie on a massage table under a sheet or blanket.
Your therapist massages one part of your body at a time, working the muscles and other tissues as needed. They may ask you for feedback regarding the level of pressure so they can adjust their technique accordingly. After the session, it’s important to hydrate yourself to flush toxins from your body.
Massage therapy is a complement to many other treatments, or it can be a stand-alone relaxation technique. Call one of the offices in Brooklyn or Midtown for an appointment or schedule your massage using the online booking tool.
