How massage therapy helps the body

Alternative forms of treating the body are gaining popularity these days, and massage therapy is no exception. Many people, however, still believe that massage is just something to be used to relax. Although relaxation is absolutely one of the benefits of massage therapy, it’s only part of the picture. There are many benefits, both physical and mental, to treatment by massage therapy.

As trendy as massage therapy has become in recent years, it is by no means a new treatment method. It dates back to ancient times, where civilizations such as the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians used therapeutic touch as a method of healing the body. In fact, the idea that massage therapy is an alternative method of treatment is primarily a North American notion. In china, for example, massage is considered a primary treatment option and its methods are part of the medical school curriculum in that country.

How does massage therapy actually work? It goes far beyond simply relaxing the body through the massaging in of oils and lotions. Although there is that element as well, massage therapy actually helps to improve the body’s functions, reducing pain and inflammation, restores the body’s systems to equilibrium, increases range of motion, reduces blood pressure, improves circulation and more. Massage is a full-body approach to healing and promoting health.

Massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue of the body. Through varying amounts of pressure, tension and vibration along with specialized movements, the body is encouraged to essentially heal itself. A qualified massage therapist will determine the source of the issue and target those areas of the body for treatment. Massage can help issues that are rooted in problems with muscles ligaments, the skin, joints, organs and more.

The type of problem the patient is experiencing will determine the treatment approach that will be taken. Similar to the way a western medical doctor will diagnose an issue and then proceed with a treatment plan, a massage therapist will also determine how best to treat the issue the patient is experiencing. From there, she will decide which type of massage technique will best work to resolve the issue. Options include deep tissue massage, sports massage, myofascial massage, reflexology Swedish massage, hot stone treatment, shiatsu, trigger-point therapy and more. Each type of massage features specific types and sequences of movements that are designed to particularly treat certain types of conditions, injuries and ailments.

When it comes to massage therapy Burlington residents have a wealth of options for places to go. The important thing is to find a certified massage therapist with a good reputation. Word of mouth recommendations are always a good place to start, but it’s always a good idea to meet with the therapist yourself to get a feel for whether you gel with them and are comfortable in their office. Those are important details because part of what makes massage therapy effective is that you feel relaxed during your treatment.