Just about everyone enjoys a massage from time to time, whether it’s provided by a family member or a professional masseuse. However, there is more to a massage than simply feeling relaxing and there are also a variety of different types of massage available. Let’s dig into the massage, learn why a good massage is important and what some of the benefits are.
Relaxation and Stress Relief
One of the top reasons why people decide to book in for a massage is the fact that it relaxes them. Of course, a relaxing type of massage isn’t usually a deep tissue massage, but more of a gentle rubbing and caress of the muscles and skin. Massages have a reputation for relieving anxiety and stress. As the masseuse soothes the body, this action also helps to calm the mind. By the time your massage is done, your body will feel supple and relaxed and your mind will feel calm and clear. It’s about mental health just as much as physical wellbeing.
Relieve Muscle Aches and Stiffness
This major benefit that a massage provides is likely just as common as the point mentioned in the topic above. If a person, young or old or anywhere in between, is suffering from muscle stiffness and soreness, a deep tissue massage is the perfect remedy.
As the muscles are kneaded, squeezed and rubbed, any build up of lactic acid is dissipated. This leaves the muscles feeling normal, free of pain and stiffness. Many sportspeople opt for a massage following a sporting event or game to relieve that muscle tension.
A Massage Is Also Good For a Warm Up
An all-over body massage is not only beneficial following physical activity. It’s also a great way to loosen up and warm up before doing a workout or playing sport. The increased blood flow the massage provides prepares the muscles for the activity to come and also leaves muscles and ligaments looser and ready for action, decreasing the risk of sustaining an injury.
You can even self-massage to some degree before embarking on physical activity if you don’t want to go to a massage parlour. At the very least, you can massage your arms and legs in preparation.
Both this point and the one above illustrate how a massage can help to improve and enhance a person’s physical fitness and keep them injury-free.
A Massage Can Speed Up Injury Recovery
Massages can be beneficial in injury recovery, whether it be a muscle strain or a joint sprain. When the body is stimulated by the massage, blood flow is increased, delivering oxygen and vital nutrients to the body’s cells. This added blood flow provides the injured region with a flood of nutrients to help speed up recovery time.
If you book in for a massage, it’s important to inform the masseuse of your injury, so they will be more gentle and careful when it comes to massaging that part of the body.
Boost Your Immune System With a Massage
Your body is filled with what are known as “killer T cells”. These cells increase the body’s immune system and help to fight off ailments such as viruses. It’s been shown that regular massages encourage the body to produce more killer T cells, thus giving your immune system a strength boost. This leads to better health and less downtime due to illness.
Lowers Blood Pressure
A natural by product of massages is the fact that they lower both the heart rate and a person’s blood pressure. This is a result of the relaxing and calming effect a massage has on the body and the mind. The increase in blood flow produced by a massage also improves circulation, placing less stress on the heart and arteries when delivering blood throughout the body.
Relieve Back and Neck Pain
While it’s advisable to see a chiropractor if you’re suffering from a disc problem in the back or neck, often the pain in these regions is due to muscle stiffness and high-tension in the muscles that support the spine and neck.
Pay a visit to a massage parlour and let them know that you’re currently enduring pain in the neck and/or back, so they can target those areas specifically and ease the tension.
Different Types Of Massages
Let’s now take a look at some of the most common types of massage available, with a brief description of what they are:
Swedish Massage – This is that gentle form of massage that people prefer when they are simply seeking a massage that’s very calming and relaxing.
Deep Tissue Massage – This is a slow type of massage where the masseuse uses their strength to dig deep into the muscles to penetrate all the layers. If you’re suffering from muscle pain or an injury, then you may want to opt for this style of massage.
Sports Massage – A sports massage is not dissimilar to the Swedish massage, as it’s also a more gentle form of massage. It’s commonly deployed to assist sportspeople before or after an event to loosen up muscles, prevent injuries and increase flexibility.
Shiatsu Massage – This is a popular Japanese massage designed for relaxation, stress relief, and the relief of muscle pain and stiffness. It also helps to relieve headaches and improves sleep patterns.
Trigger Point Massage – When you receive this type of massage, the masseuse targets the body’s trigger points. In other words, those areas that are known to commonly knot up and cause pain and stiffness.
These are the most common massages people avail of. There are others, so let’s make a quick reference list:
- Swedish massage
- Deep tissue massage
- Sports massage
- Shiatsu massage
- Trigger point massage
- Hot stone massage
- Aromatherapy massage
- Prenatal massage
- Reflexology
- Thai massage
- Lymphatic drainage massage
- And more…
The Takeaway
A regular massage of any description provides so many amazing benefits. If you’re serious about looking after your physical wellbeing and mental health, then book in for a regular massage from a professional service.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage#lymphatic
