How Massage Therapy Reduces Stress
Our South Miami Massage therapy is the process of working on the body with pressure. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet or with the help of a device. Generally, people go for massage because it reduces stress and any kind of the pain in the body. People can give or take massage at home but there is a therapist who is trained with the skills of doing massage. On the professional front, people are treated by lying on a massage table or sitting on a massage chair or by simply lying on a mat on the floor. Massage therapy has a long history in the cultures around the world. However, scientists are not sure what changes occur in the body during massage and do not agree with the technique. Massage therapy also poses serious threats when not taken by a trained therapist. So, make sure to take a massage from the therapist himself.
A full body massage is a kind of massage which relaxes your entire body. This massage lasts for 50 minutes. The full body massage massages your back, shoulders, legs, feet, arms, hands, and neck. The therapist starts massaging with the back and shoulder, then moves along the body. After you flip over, the therapist works her way back up your body, usually ending with shoulders and neck and often the scalp.
Whether you go for a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, most massages at spas will probably be full-body massages.
There are different types and methods of delivering massage. But, all the massages help us in reducing our stress level. Few of them are as follows:
Active release technique
Active Release Techniques (ART) is a kind of massage treatment for soft tissue injuries, nerve entrapment, and decreased/limited range of motion and flexibility. Each ART sessions consists of an examination of the injured tissue and the treatment of the targeted area. There are 500 different hand motions that are used by the practitioners to treat the affected area.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a technique similar to the principle of acupuncture. In acupressure, physical pressure is applied to the acupuncture points with the aim to clear blockages in those areas. The pressure on the affected area may be applied by fingers, palm, elbow, and toes.
According to studies, acupressure can be very effective in managing nausea and vomiting, helping the lower back pain, tension headaches, stomach ache etc.
Aquatic bodywork
Aquatic bodywork is a kind of massage and bodywork forms performed in water. This includes land-based forms which include Aquatic Craniosacral Therapy, Aquatic Myofascial Release Therapy, etc as well as forms specific to warm water pools like Aquatic Integration, Dolphin Dance, Healing Dance, Jahara technique, WaterDance, and Watsu.
Ashiatsu
The name Ashiatsu is derived from the Japanese, as for foot and atsu for pressure. Ashiatsu is a massage in which the therapist uses his feet to deliver the treatment. This technique uses the heel, sesamoid, arch and whole plantar surface of the foot to offer large compression, tension and shear forces with less pressure than an elbow, and is ideal for large muscles, such as in thigh, or for long-duration upper trapezius compressions.
Ayurvedic Massage
Ayurvedic Massage is also known as Abhyangam in Sanskrit. It is said to be one of the important Ayurvedic therapies. This massage technique stimulates the production of which strengthens the immune system and also helps in detoxification. The other benefits of regular Ayurvedic Massage include pain relief, reduction of fatigue, prevention of aging and bestowing longevity.
Burmese Massage
Burmese Massage has its origins in Thai, Chinese, and Indian medicine. This massage helps to smooth skin and prevents sunburn. This is a full body massage technique which starts from the head and ends in toes. It includes acupuncture, reflexology, and kneading. In this massage, the acupressure strokes are given using elbows, and slow kneading of the tight muscles. This improves blood circulation and quality of sleep.
Bio-mechanical stimulation (BMS) massage
Biomechanical stimulation (BMS) is used for localized biomechanical oscillation methods in which local muscle groups are stimulated directly or with the help of a special hand-held mechanical vibration device. Biomechanical oscillation therapy and training are offered in the areas such as competitive sports, fitness, rehabilitation, medicine, prevention, beauty. It also improves the performance of the muscles and maintains coordination and balance.
Biodynamic massage
The biodynamic massage was created by Gerda Boyesen. It is a combination of physical and energy work and also uses a stethoscope to hear the peristalsis.
Craniosacral therapy
Craniosacral therapy (CST) releases tensions deep in the body by applying a light touch to the skull, face, spine, and pelvis. The Craniosacral therapist believes that this palpation regulates the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and aids in primary respiration.
Foot Massage
It is believed that there are certain points on the foot that correspond to different organs of the body and the stimulation of those points can lead to a significant reduction in the pain. It is also believed that foot reflexology massage can reduce fatigue and promote better sleep.
Lomilomi and indigenous massage of Oceania
This is a traditional Hawaii massage but varies by island and family. Lomilomi therapists use the palms, forearms, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, feet, even sticks, and stones for massage. It may be performed with or without emollient.
Lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic drainage is a technique used to stimulate the lymphatic system. It helps in the reduction of localized swelling. The lymphatic system is a network of slow-moving vessels in the body that carries cellular waste toward the heart, to be filtered and removed. This type of massage helps in waste removal and improves immune function.
Medical massage
Medical massage is a targeted treatment on the basis of the problem. It is the application of a specific treatment targeted to the specific problem the patient is diagnosed with and is administered after a thorough investigation by the therapist. It is also called clinical massage or treatment massage.
Myofascial release
It refers to a manual massage technique that releases fascia and eliminates pain by increasing range of motion and equilibrioception. Generally, this kind of massage includes applying shear compression or tension in various directions, cross fiber friction or by skin rolling.
Reflexology
Reflexology is also called zone therapy. It is an alternative medicine which involves the application of pressure to the feet and hands with a specific thumb, finger, and hand without using any oil or lotion.
Shiatsu
Consisting of palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques, this massage technique helps in stretching, joint manipulation, and mobilization. Shiatsu is a Japanese word which means finger pressure. It is a kind of a Japanese bodywork based on traditional Chinese medicine. A Shiatsu practitioner examines a patient using palpation and pulse diagnosis.
Structural Integration
Structural Integration aims to unravel the strain patterns in the body’s myofascial system and helping it get back its natural balance, alignment, length, and ease. Structural Integration includes Rolfing, Hellerwork, Guild for Structural Integration, Aston Patterning, Soma, and Kinesis Myofascial Integration.
Swedish massage
Swedish Massage is the most commonly used massage. This technique uses five styles of strokes, these are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber or with the fibers) and vibration/shaking. This massage reduces pain, joint stiffness and help the body in restoring its flexibility. It is extremely helpful for the patients suffering from osteoarthritis.
Thai massage
The traditional Thai massage is based on a combination of Indian and Chinese traditions of medicine. It is a deep, full-body massage that clears blockages, and stimulates the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body. It draws on yoga, acupressure, and reflexology.
It involves a number of stretching movements that makes the body more flexible and improves the circulation of blood. According to a study, this massage technique acts as a painkiller caused by osteoarthritis.
Traditional Chinese massage
Traditional Chinese Massage is a kind of traditional medicine which is built on the foundation of more than 2,500 years of Chinese medical practice. It includes herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary therapy.
Trigger point therapy
This deactivates trigger points that may cause local pain or headaches, or pain in other parts of the body. This kind of pain is relieved by manual pressure, vibration, injection. Trigger points were first discovered and mapped by Janet G. Travell (President Kennedy’s physician) and David Simons. Tui `Tui na
Tui na is a Chinese manual therapy technique that includes many different types of strokes. It is used with a combination of acupuncture, moxibustion, fire cupping, Chinese herbalism, t’ai chi and qigong. This improves the flow of chi through the meridian.
Watsu
Watsu is a type of aquatic bodywork performed in near-body-temperature water and includes rocking, stretching of limbs, and massage. Watsu is used for deep relaxation and other therapeutic intent. Other forms include WaterDance, Healing Dance, and Jahara technique.
How Massage Therapy reduces stress?
South Miami Massage therapy is a massage treatment where a therapist manipulates the body’s muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain or decrease stress. But all massage is not created equal! Every kind of massage has its own strategy that range from deep tissue massage to reflexology, where the therapist applies pressure to a specific point on the body in order to relieve pain.
Moreover, the list of ailments massage can be used to treat is just as long as the list of massage types. According to a recent study massage therapy can reduce pain, promote muscle relaxation, and improve both mood and sleep quality. Another study found that after subjects were massaged, the levels of cortisol (a hormone contributing to stress) in their saliva decreased.
There are many techniques of Massage therapy to relieve stress. With some, the client undresses and is covered with sheets during the session, while with others the client remains clothed. The massage therapist may use her hands, elbows or feet to administer the treatment. According to the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the main forms of massage include Swedish, deep tissue, sports, reflexology and trigger point. Certain massage techniques use oils and others use warm stones to release tension and promote relaxation, some do it with hands.
Sometimes, stress can be a motivator when striving accomplishing a goal. This stress is positive and permanent. But, it can also be lethal such as being stuck in traffic or delayed at the airport. However, the American Psychological Association states that stress may also be chronic — during financial difficulties, chronic illness or dealing with family issues. It is not necessarily the event, but rather your body’s response to the event that causes stress. When the brain senses any kind of stress, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and your muscles tighten. The stress and pressures that continue for long periods have a detrimental effect on the body. Massage helps you relax, calming the mind and body and relieving your stress.
A South Miami massage therapy by a well-trained and licensed practitioner may help with conditions that affect your state of mind, including stress, depression and anxiety. Massage helps you shift your thoughts away from everyday worries and allows your body and mind to relax. It also makes you feel that you’re in control over your health and plays an active role in managing chronic illnesses. Many massage techniques are practiced in a quiet and dimly lit room. Some therapists have soft music in the background and use candles or incense to help you relax.
The stress free mind conserves energy by suppressing the digestive and immune systems. With chronic stress, this reaction may lead to decreased immune system activity, which increases the risk of colds, flus and immune system diseases. Massage may help restore normal circulation, improve immune system activity and play a role in restoring normal digestive system function.
However, if stress is constant, the muscles may remain in a slightly tensed state. This may lead to joint aches and pains, headaches, chronic back and neck pain and other symptoms. According to the National Institutes of Health, massage therapy may help relieve your muscle tension. A massage therapist uses various techniques to rub, stroke, stretch or apply pressure to the muscles to help them return to a relaxed state, which in turn reduces your stress-related aches and pains.
