Connect with us

Health

Massage Therapy – Its Various Types and Its Benefits

Massage therapy is one of the many health interventions included in CAM, or Complementary Alternative Medicine. It has principles that center on utilizing and applying the different techniques of massage for muscle manipulation. It makes a person improve and advance his or her body function, speed up the healing process, slow down the muscles and neuron’s reflexes, and boost the well being of a person. Massage therapy even has been used as a recreational massage since it comes as a form of relaxation activity that can be enjoyed by one, two or in groups.

The application of kneads and friction leads to instilling pressure, vibration and tension to the various tissues and muscles that are targeted by the therapy. Targeted body parts can include the patient’s connective tissues, ligaments, tendons, muscles, or joints. Massage therapy can also be performed with the use of mechanical aids or through the manual usage of the therapist’s fingers, hands, elbows, forearm, knees, and feet.

Health problems that can be alleviated with Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy cannot be performed by just anyone. A professional healthcare provider that knows his or her way with massage techniques, along with massage therapy’s advantages and disadvantages, should be the one to do this, and they are called registered massage therapists. They need to take and pass the examination for massage therapists before they can legally perform their duties. With this, they will then be able to relieve and alleviate some of the usual health conditions, like the following:

  • Arthritis, tendonitis, and other inflammatory disorders
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Sprains, strains, muscle spasms, and other sport-related injuries
  • Low and upper back pains
  • Circulatory and respiratory health problems
  • Pregnancy and labor discomforts
  • Injuries and surgeries concerning rehabilitation

Various Massage Techniques and Their Purposes

1.Acupressure, which is a technique originating from the traditional Chinese medicine. It is the application of pressure, either through needles or hands, to various acupuncture points located and scattered in the body.

2.Balinese massage, which has techniques also used in Balinese type of massage. It uses gentle strokes that are enough to build a relaxing and calming atmosphere to a patient. It utilizes kneading and stroking, among others.

3.Deep tissue massage, which is designed to decrease the tension building in the muscles located below the deep surface muscles. It is recommended to patients suffering continuous pain, who are involved in extensive physical activity, and who have various physical injuries.

4.Reflexology massage, which is similar to acupuncture, believes that reflexes are located, scattered and grouped in the different sites of hands and feet, and that each reflex is designated to a certain organ and gland of the body.

5.Sports or Manual Therapy, which is a physical treatment modality made to treat the disability and pain of a client. It consists of techniques that manipulate the various joints and muscles of the body.

Darren Poncelet

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Trending