Is Having a Massage Really Good for You?
Having a Massage. When you think about it, mostly what comes into our minds is that good old relaxing feel where the therapist applies the different techniques to help you relieve the stress. But for people to have regular massages and those who have not yet tried or maybe those who rarely go out to get massage sessions, we ask. Is having a massage really good for you? There are even a lot of studies and statistics that show different results in the advantages in getting one.
More about Massage Facts
Different types of massages like the Swedish massage, Shiatsu, Hot Stone massage and more have different approaches and focuses on your body to have wonderful stress relieving effects. In studies and research, it is said that people who have regular massage sessions are found out to have lowered presence of stress hormones. This means that also their body’s immunity have also improved as well. This also tells us that people who have massage sessions tend to be much healthier as well.
Having a massage is like having a regular checkup or maintenance for the body as well. That is why it is recommended to have regular sessions unless you have physical injuries or some medical condition which prohibits you from getting one. There are also massage therapies that are for medical purposed as well which are catered by medical experts and professional therapists for this case. Looking at it as beneficial to us, it is also said that it also saves us money from getting all the meds and other medical expenses. It’s more on prevention than cure as we often say it.
Not all of the time we are able to hook up with regular massage sessions from therapists. Maybe from our schedules or maybe it is not in the budget for certain times, but knowing the basics could also be a great alternative and learn with somebody and have some regular massages on your own time. This can surely be of help. Focusing on certain areas like in the face, using good massage oil in having your own session, and learning different techniques aside from rubbing and applying pressure, you can surely level up the regular massage routine. Stretching, using the fingers and even using heat from the friction on your hands can have great effects and can be added into your massage routines. But then again when in doubt or short on time, just get a professional to always give you the correct massage routines.
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The Different Kinds of Massage
We all know that getting a massage is relaxing as is sounds. When you think about it, you might just be picturing out getting the regular massage like applying pressure to certain parts of our bodies to relieve stress. But the real stuff is that there are various kinds of massage that have their own benefits as well. Let get to know more on the different kinds of massage and their benefits as well. We never know if you might want to try them all out to experience them.
More Massage Kinds for You
Swedish Massage
The most common massage as we speak is the Swedish massage. This kind of massage has the combination of techniques to help the body relax and relieve stress. These consists of long strokes, applying pressure, using hand friction for heat, some percussive taps to the muscles, head massage and more. The therapist makes sure that your whole body has been applied with the different movements to make sure that you will feel like your whole body has been rejuvenated and eased up from stress.
Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu is defined from the term “finger pressure”. Basically. this is the focus of this kind of massage and is derived from ancient Japan techniques in applying a massage. As from its history, Shiatsu aim to fix and restore the energy flow in your body and also has great healing properties as well. This massage is very good body pains, headaches and improves the circulation within our bodies. Definitely, an ancient Japanese technique that has been practiced up to now.
Hot Stone Massage
This is a very different type of massage since it uses hot stones that will be placed to the different key points of the body. Aside from the heat in the stones doing its work on your body, the masseuse also uses these stones to massage the body as well. The heat plays an important role since it helps release stress and tension from your body, as like the warmth of another’s hand soothes you.
Chair Massage
You might have already seen these chairs on malls, offices or parlors, and this is rather quite a nice and very different type of massage. In this setup, the therapist lets you sit in a forward position and relaxes your head in place along with the compartment in the chair. This lets the therapist focus more on your head, neck, shoulders and back to relieve the stress when we get basically from constant and daily movements mostly in our upper bodies. In this way, might say “Sit front and relax”.
READ MOREQuick Relief via 10- Minute Massage
What if you get a quick relief of any stress or any trouble spots in just 10 minutes? Well, a researcher said that yes a short and quick minute massage is enough to relieve some of the sharp body pain and most importantly it helps with your state of mind.
If you didn’t know already, massage actually improves circulation, joint flexibility, and energy flow. In most recent research, it shows that it even help immune system function.
Just like the many benefits of just drinking water, massage actually has its own seemingly magical way to help you flush toxins out of your body. These toxins that come from stress, food, and environment can flood our body at any time of the day. With massage, you are able to prevent these toxins from settling in your muscle fibers.
It also helps loosen and relieve trigger points that are directly related to pain and headaches. The best part is that with just even a short 10-minute massage, you get to have a lot of benefits. This is why a lot of people are offering this service. It’s even shown in conventions.
What other benefit of this short and quick massage is obviously, time. With the fast pace world, everyone is in a hurry. This is evident with all the instant meals we have. But it doesn’t have to be less effective when it comes to massage. Even a 10-minute massage actually gives you immediate result without committing to a half- hour or full-hour massage.
Another benefit is that it targets the most crucial part and doesn’t have to involve the whole body. You can do it while sitting down and not necessarily lying. This is why most of these massages are done on a mobile setting.
There’s a catch however, the therapist should be good enough to pinpoint the most affected area that delivers the most result. Some great massage therapists know where to target and get the most effective outcome. A quick question would help. It is basically the 80-20 effect happening here. It means that when the masseuse is able to hit the ones that really affect your body, then you got a good experience!
These short massages are of popular demand because they are relaxing. With just a couple of minutes, worries and stresses are worked out like magic! Maybe you should try it next time!
READ MOREIs Massage for Relaxation Only?
Do massage provide you something else than just relaxation? A lot of convention massage and mobile massage have been sprouting out because of these added benefits. If you are living under a rock and not tried a massage yet, then you should probably go more and explore the world. For those who have personally experienced a good massage, you know that it only not provides you relaxation but also provides you with so much more.
But let us get to the nitty-gritty of this and delve into studies and real testimonials. What do they say?
The Short Answer
The short answer- yes, it provides more benefits than just relaxation and this has been told in reference to ancient times!
The Long Answer
Well, there are more than 80 kinds of massage out there! The purpose of massage is to primarily help the muscles relax and increase the flow of blood, hence it helps flow oxygen and decrease pain.
But of course, each massage therapy delivers varying results. Here are some of the most common ones that offer real benefits other than relaxation.
Shiatsu Massage – using varying and rhythmic pressure from the fingers on part of the body performs this one. This helps target relaxation on the body and said to provide more energy due to the flow of qi.
Deep Tissue Massage – is a form of therapy that employs pattern of strokes that are deep pressured. This is performed on tight muscles. This way, it resolves tension and gets not just a soothing feeling but a relief on stress.
Swedish massage – a common therapy where long strokes and kneading are used. These strokes produce friction and enhanced flexibility of the body. You will feel rejuvenated and seem to be more flexible after it.
So these are just a quick types of massage that deliver more benefits on top of relaxing benefits. Now you should know that massage also fixes other problems such as low back pain, high blood, migraine, anxiety, and even cancer!
Although, you may think that these claims are unrealistic. Research shows that with frequent massage, people have achieved not so amazing outcome but better outcome nonetheless.
Here are some of them that they have found.
Benefits of Massage
Healing – there has been a study that shows people who get a massage therapy right after an extensive exercise heals 14 percent faster.
Prevents damage – furthermore with a good massage, you will be able to prevent damage of muscle fibers despite using it heavily.
So there might be a thin line of massage and its benefits, for a quick and short massage, you can never be wrong!
READ MOREWhat to Expect on your First Massage Session
Hearing and reading about the good things about having a massage can be very pleasing. But what if you haven’t tried one and your having second thoughts or awkward moments just thinking about it? In the first place, the aim to have a massage is to have relaxation and also to ease those thoughts for first timers or those not really sure in having one, let’s replace those thoughts with relaxing ideas. And what a good way to do that than to know about what you should expect in having a massage.
Preperations and Expectations
First things first, you’ve got to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Make sure your not feeling sick or feeling anything funny before going to get a massage. Also expect that when having a massage, certain pressure will be applied to your body. It would also be advisable not to eat before a massage or if not, just make sure not to get too full after your meal. Drinking water is also good before having a massage. When going to get a massage, make sure your are also calm and not stressed out. Being early with the given schedule can help you avoid rushing yourself to the place and get all stressed up. If you are going to inquire when you get to the place, being early also helps just in case the bookings get filled up so you have the option to wait or maybe go to another massage center.
For massages in medical clinics where professional therapists will do the work, you maybe asked a few questions before you begin your session like medical conditions, problematic areas in your body and other related questions that pertains to your body. For regular spas, you will be given some instructions to follow and basically the therapist will be guiding to in your session.
The Massage
Once you are all freshen up and ready, the therapist will provide you some clothing to wear and some towels or blankets to make sure that only the working areas of the body will be exposed. As you lay down and let the therapist start, make sure to be calm, relaxed and also dont forget to breathe calmly as pressure is being applied to your body.
As your therapist starts, you will also be asked on how light or how hard the pressure you want them to apply during the session. Don’t forget that if it’s painful, never hesitate to tell your therapist to loosen up the pressure or also you may have it the other way around if it’s too soft. Just make sure to relax, enjoy, and the therapist will guide you all throughout the session.
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