Fight stress but also free your mind by way of an invigorating massage therapist
Massage therapy – the practice of using touch to manipulate the soft tissue muscles of the body – is a form of bodywork administered by a skilled massage therapist in a variety of locations. It is performed for a number of reasons, including the treatment of pain, decompressing tired and overworked muscles, reducing stress, rehabilitating from surgery or sports injuries, and promoting general health.
There are over 80 different massage techniques, referred to as modalities. The main differences are the types of strokes used and the amount of pressured applied during the massage. For some techniques, a massage therapist may use short, fast strokes while others are administered using shorter, choppier strokes. The amount of pressure used will differ, but all are designed to relax and heal the body.
How long does it take to feel the benefits from a massage? Depending on your physical condition and your goals for overall health improvement, your massage therapist can perform your massage in anywhere from 5 or 10 minutes up to a full 2 hours. There are also various forms of massage therapy targeted for specific client types, such as:
Prenatal massage, which many massage therapists administer to pregnant women;
Infant massage to address conditions of new motherhood;
Sports massage which therapists use to address overextended muscles and ligaments and to keep an athlete’s body in peak condition;
Geriatric massages used by many massage therapists to treat the effects of aging.
So how do you know how to choose the right massage therapist to suit your needs? As with anything else, you need to do your research and ask questions. This is your body’s health at stake and if you choose a massage therapist who’s unqualified or inexperienced, you’ll probably end up regretting it. So don’t be shy about it – you have a right to know!
So how does massage therapy work? Most professional massage therapists work by appointment only. Before beginning your session; your massage therapist should have a discussion with you to review your overall medical and health history and discuss what your goals for improvement include. By knowing this, you and your massage therapist can decide together which techniques are right for you.
As discussed before, there are many techniques – or modalities – used in massage therapy. If after the initial discussion with your massage therapist it is determined that you need a type of therapy other than what he or she is trained in, they may refer you to another specialist. If during your massage therapy session, you experience any type of discomfort, inform your massage therapist immediately.
Some massage therapists prefer to use oils or lotions while administering various techniques, but that’s entirely up to you and him/her. Depending on the type of massage you choose, you may be asked to disrobe. You will then be given a blanket, sheet or towel to cover your body, so only the area being treated will be exposed at any given time.
Massage therapists administer their massages in a variety of different settings … some public … some private, but most are dimly lit. The use of incense and/or candles is common, as is the presence of soothing music in the background. Massage therapists use these to put their clients at ease, especially if it is their first time. Some may travel to their clients’ home or office to provide the massage therapy, depending on the client’s schedule and location.