Understanding Therapeutic Massage

There are many types of massage, although they vary a great deal in their goals and ability to alleviate chronic pain and discomfort.

Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the most well-known type of therapeutic massage. This technique relaxes the muscles through long, gliding strokes in the direction of blood flow back to the heart. This type of massage also uses circular pressure, firm kneading, and stretching to relax the body and improve nervous system function.

Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage therapy, although the deeper pressure of this technique can help release chronic tension in the muscles. Deep tissue massage therapy focuses on the deep layers of tendons, muscle, and fascia. Research has found deep tissue massage can reduce stress hormone (cortisol) levels and heart rate by triggering the body’s release of serotonin and oxytocin.

Sports Massage
Sports massage is a specialty form of therapeutic massage designed for athletes of all types, including joggers, tennis players, soccer players, bicyclists, and football players. Sports massage focuses on the areas of the body exposed to repetitive and aggressive movement and stress to reduce recovery time, promote flexibility, reduce fatigue, and boost endurance. An important benefit of sports massage is its ability to target muscle-tendon junctions. Research has found that even a 30-minute targeted massage can boost hip-flexor range of motion among athletes.

Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is a special type of massage designed to relieve the aches and strain of pregnancy without harming mother or child. Massage therapy is a safe and drug-free form of complementary medicine that reduces stress and promotes overall wellness. This type of massage can relieve the discomfort associated with pregnancy, including headaches, edema, cramps, stiff neck, backaches, and sciatica.

Prenatal massage can also ease stress on weight-bearing joints for improved blood circulation and reduces nervous tension.

Massage Therapy & Chiropractic Care

Massage therapy has proven beneficial effects on the nervous system, working to relax the nervous system without pain or side effects. Because massage therapy relaxes the nervous system, it is usually done before chiropractic treatment to make the chiropractic adjustments more effective. This is because the muscles are often so stiff from chronic pain and spinal misalignment that the body resists adjustments. By relaxing the body through massage first, the chiropractor will be able to more easily make realignments to get to the heart of the issue.

Massage is also beneficial for people who have a physical injury such as from sports, a car accident, or any other activity. Massage relaxes the immune system while improving blood circulation to help the body heal itself.

Chiropractic care and massage therapy are complementary forms of treatment that have the same goal: natural and complete well-being. Both can be used as either preventative or restorative medicine to help you maintain your health and live pain-free.