Types of massage therapy and health benefits

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Nowadays, there are many different types of massage therapy with diverse techniques and movements. However, in general, massage therapy manipulations use hands and fingers to apply pressure, massage on muscles and soft tissues, or use both forearms, elbows, and feet. Does proper massage have health benefits?

In the United States, more and more people perform massage, massage therapy, especially postpartum women, because they believe that massage brings many health benefits. There are many types of massage therapy that postpartum women can choose to help ease symptoms or heal wounds. It also helps treat and promote certain health conditions. Below are the most common types of therapeutic massage.

1. What types of massage therapy are there?

Depending on the time, there will be different types of massage and more popular than other types of massage. However, is that type of massage out of vogue or is the new massage technique better and more suitable for health?
In general, the types of massage therapy used range from basic movements from long and smooth strokes to light and short presses. When massaging, you can apply massage oil or lotion.
For the most part, the client is not wearing any clothing, however, some treatments may allow the client to wear clothes. Each massage session usually lasts from 5 minutes to 2 hours. Before deciding to choose a type of massage therapy, you need to know what the purpose of massage is, to help you relax, relieve stress or treat the symptoms of an illness that is affecting your health. .
Before booking a massage, let the practitioner know the purpose of your massage so they can advise on the right type of treatment, as one or more massage styles can be applied depending on each person together.
The therapist will customize a massage for each client based on the client's age, condition, needs or goals. Here are 10 popular types of massage therapy, of which, the first 4 techniques are more common.
1.1 Swedish Massage Therapy Of the 10 types of massage therapy, Swedish is the most popular, with basic movements ranging from long, strong presses along the muscles to gentle, rhythmic tapping movements across layers. muscle at the top.
Swedish massage has the effect of reducing muscle tension, helping to relax and increase vitality, even helping to recover from injury. Swedish massage therapy consists of 4 main movements:
Effleurage: Gentle, soothing strokes to relax soft tissues, warming up muscles before performing techniques that affect deeper tissues. Petrissage: Massaging, applying deep pressure to the underlying muscles. Friction: Rotation penetrates deep into the tissue layers, creating friction to increase blood circulation. Tapotement: Clap with the edge of your hand or cup your fingers.

1.2 Deep Tissue Massage Therapy Deep tissue massage is the best way to work on painful, hard areas of the body. The masseuse will perform slow, focused, deliberate massaging movements to apply pressure to layers of tendons, muscles, tendons, or deep tissues under the skin.
Although massage is less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage is a therapy that works to relieve chronic stress and aid in the treatment of muscle injuries, such as back sprains .
1.3 Sports Massage Therapy Sports massage therapy helps athletes who normally use certain muscle systems to exercise and play sports. There are many techniques for performing this type of massage and athletes will be treated before, during and after attending sporting events.
This type of therapy also makes the muscles more flexible, thereby preventing some common sports injuries. In addition, it also helps to stretch muscles, support healing after sports injuries.

1.4 Massage Therapy Chair Massage therapy can be performed with an on-site massage chair. The chair works on the neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands.
1.5 Japanese Shiatsu Massage Therapy Shiatsu massage therapy uses the fingers to apply rhythmic pressure to acupressure points on the body. Shiatsu massage helps relieve congestion at acupressure points.
1.6 Thai Massage Therapy Thai massage uses the masseuse's own body to adjust the client to a variety of positions. Thai massage includes muscle compression, joint movement and acupressure.
1.7 Lymphatic Drainage Massage Therapy Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a type of gentle massaging of tissues to help increase lymphatic circulation in the body. Lymph is a fluid made up of proteins that travels throughout the body in the lymphatic vessels.
Gentle massage with long strokes, light pressure along the skin has the effect of increasing the movement of lymph in the body.
1.8 Hot Stone Massage Therapy For this type of massage therapy, the therapist will place warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. Hot stones are considered a temporary topical massage tool. Used in conjunction with other massage techniques, hot stones relax the body as they transfer heat deep into the body.

1.9 Reflexology Massage Therapy Acupressure uses the hands, thumbs, and fingers to stimulate certain areas of the feet. Each organ in the body will correspond to the areas that are stimulated. This type of massage therapy enhances mental and physical health.
1.10 Pregnancy Massage Therapy During pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes major changes. Pregnancy massage can help ameliorate these changes by reducing stress, reducing swelling in the hands and feet, and reducing muscle and joint pain.
To be able to conduct massage therapy during pregnancy, the technician will use a massage pillow specially designed for pregnant women to help the pregnant woman get into a comfortable position during the massage.

2. Health benefits of massage therapy

Massage not only helps the body relax, many types of massage also bring certain benefits. In general, therapeutic massage brings the following benefits:
Cure back pain Cure headaches, especially migraines, thereby helping to improve sleep. Pain relief for some osteoarthritis diseases such as osteoarthritis of the knee. Relieves symptoms of some cancers or side effects of cancer treatment, such as reducing fatigue, nausea, pain, swelling, and depression, while also helping to improve the immune system. However, before proceeding with massage therapy, it is necessary to consult a doctor because the areas with tumors or in the disease stages cannot be massaged. Reduces depression, anxiety, and depression. Nowadays, there are many types of massage therapy with certain benefits for your health. Consult your doctor or therapist for advice on choosing the right treatment.

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Reference source: webmd.com