subject: End Your Stressful Day But Also Combat Pain By Means Of A Relaxing Massage Therapist [print this page] 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 for pregnant women;
Infant massage for new mothers;
Sports massage - from weekend warriors to professional athletes
Geriatric massage - for people approaching their twilight years.
When choosing a massage therapist, take as much care as when choosing your primary care physician. Don't be shy about asking questions; it's your body and you have a right to know how it is being treated. Massage therapy delivered at the hands of an untrained massage therapist can have serious consequences.
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.
Most massage therapists are trained in a certain number of modalities. If the massage therapist you're considering isn't properly trained in the one that best suits your needs, you may want to ask for a referral to a different therapist who can better help you meet your goals. If you feel pain or discomfort at any time during your session, advise your massage therapist right away, as this is not normal.
For many of the techniques available, massage therapists use lotions, oils or creams to aid in the procedure. You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothing - depending on the method being used - and cover yourself with a sheet or blanket; the massage therapist should only reveal the part of your body being massaged at any given time.
The environment during your massage is very important and many massage therapists like to use dim lighting, soothing music and candles or incense to enhance the experience and make their clients feel at ease. People getting a massage for the first time may opt to have it performed in their own home, depending on their massage therapist's schedule. Either way, it is an extremely relaxing and healing process.
by: Robert Reynolds
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