Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin, by using varying degrees of pressure and movement. It's usually done by a professional called a massage therapist and is often used as a treatment for a variety of medical conditions. Massage is the practice of rubbing and kneading the body with your hands. During a massage, a trained massage therapist will apply gentle or strong pressure to the muscles and joints of the body to relieve pain and tension.
Are you interested in learning more about the different types of massage therapy?Different types of massage include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, prenatal massage, reflexology, shiatsu massage, sports massage therapy and Thai massage. Swedish massage is the basis of many types of massage therapy. During a Swedish massage, the masseur will perform several massage movements. Specific massage movements include efleurage (gliding) movements, petrissage (kneading) movements, friction, tapotement (percussion) movements, and vibration.
Swedish massage techniques can vary depending on continuity, depth, direction, duration, excursion, intention, pressure, pace, sequence, speed and touch. Swedish massage movements help warm up muscle tissue, increase circulation, lengthen muscles, release tension and break muscle knots. These different movements combine with joint movement to relax and energize the body. Deep tissue massage delivers deep pressure to release muscle tension. Deep tissue massage focuses on the environment of muscles, bones, and joints, including muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia.
This type of massage is used to improve posture and increase range of motion. Deep tissue massage helps break down scar tissue that forms in muscles due to injury, poor posture, inflammation, and repetitive movements. Hot stone massage is the application of smooth basalt mineral stones that are heated and combined with oil. This type of massage is designed to relieve muscle stiffness and reduce fatigue while restoring body energy. Hot stones can be placed in many different places on the body.
Massage therapists can hold hot stones while massaging the body with long strokes, circular motions, vibration, tapping, and kneading. Hot stone massage helps relieve muscle tension and pain by increasing blood flow to stiff muscles in the body. Hot stone massage can help reduce spasms and increase flexibility and range of motion. This type of massage can also help reduce stress and anxiety. Reflexology is a type of massage used to relieve tension, based on the theory that there are reflex points on the hands, feet and ears linked to different parts of the body. Reflexology works by increasing circulation to the corresponding organ or area of the body.
Reflexology can also work by stimulating the release of endorphins, a group of feel-good brain chemicals that reduce pain and decrease the negative effects of stress. Reflexology benefits include decreased anxiety, headache relief, increased circulation, and promotion of healing. Are you interested in becoming a massage therapist? Ready to Become a Massage Therapist? Upon graduation, students in the Massage Therapy Program will receive diplomas and be qualified to seek entry-level positions such as clinical, medical or deep tissue massage therapists in clinics and wellness centers, spa settings including resorts and franchises as well as self-employment. Feeling stressed? A Swedish massage is the classic option for further relaxation. Swedish massage is usually a full body massage that uses a gentle touch. It's a good choice for people who don't know much about massage.
Muscles can strain from repeated use even from something less active such as sitting driving or hunching over the laptop. It's good for people with injuries general muscle tension and chronic muscle pain. Sports massages are similar to deep-tissue massages but they focus on muscles that take a beating when you're doing sports or doing other repetitive physical activity. Fascia is a network of connective tissue under the skin when you get myofascial release your massage therapist will knead and stretch your muscles and fascia to reduce tension and tension. If you're sore several types of massage can offer relief. An expert from the Cleveland Clinic explains several types including Swedish deep tissue sports and other massages. Traditional massage therapy or basic massage therapy is the most common form not so much a specialty however under the umbrella of basic massage therapy which involves applying pressure movement tension and vibration to soft tissues there are other types of massage therapy specialties. These types of massage therapy specialties include Swedish shiatsu deep tissue sports holistic body work chair hypnosis hypnotherapy children's infant medical prenatal massages. Now you may be wondering what chair massages are? Have you ever seen masseurs working near mall's food court? This is called chair massages in which patient is sitting on his stomach in a chair while masseur works on his or her body.
You can be creative in markets where you work as chair masseur often visiting patients' homes hotels airports convention centers etc. Hypnotism and hypnotherapy are real medical practices that help relieve stress and other symptoms. You may be wondering what is children's massages or why massaging baby? Both are legitimate questions infant massages are type of specialty dedicated to practicing on infants purpose being stimulating growth development developing babies. Medical massages have gained popularity among medical healthcare community much more being talked about these days medical massages differ from basic massages focusing patient's specific ailments injuries seeking specific medical recovery results while basic massages can help with relaxation tension stress pain medical massages could target precise health condition patient. Like children's massages prenatal massages performed pregnant women but this type focuses relieving stress promoting relaxation helping mother-to-be prepare childbirth providing relief from aches pains associated pregnancy.
