Massage Therapy

Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, the benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching. As an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, massage therapy has also proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, including low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, and more. And, as many millions will attest, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.

The Benefits Of Massage
What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments? Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can:

·  Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.

·  Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.

·  Ease medication dependence.

·  Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.

·  Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.

·  Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.

Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.                   

·  Increase joint flexibility.

·  Lessen depression and anxiety.

·  Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.

·  Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

·  Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.

·  Reduce spasms and cramping.

·  Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.

·  Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.

·  Relieve migraine pain.

A Powerful Ally
There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:

·  Decreased anxiety.

·  Enhanced sleep quality.

·  Greater energy.

·  Improved concentration.

·  Increased circulation.

·  Reduced fatigue.

Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.

The Different Types of Massage Therapy

There are more than 80 modalities or types of massage, and a massage therapist will generally be familiar with a range of modalities, depending on the type of work they do and the setting they work in. The American Massage Therapy Association states that the five most commonly practiced massage modalities are:

• Swedish- the therapist uses long strokes, kneading and friction on the muscles and moves the joints to aid flexibility
• TriggerPoint / Neuromuscular- the therapist uses a variety of strokes and applies deeper, more focused pressure on “knots” -myofascial trigger points that are painful to touch
• Deep Tissue- therapist uses patterns of strokes and deep finger pressure on parts of the body where muscles deep under the skin are tight
• Sports Massage- uses Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage techniques adapted to deal with the effects of intense physical exertion on the body and eases stiffness and pain. Techniques are specifically designed to prevent and treat sports injuries. There are also techniques for use during or right before taking part in the sport to prepare the athlete to perform at their absolute best.
• Shiatsu- therapist applies varying rhythmic pressure from the fingers on parts of the body that are believed to be important for the correct flow of body energy
  Other popular techniques include:
• Abdominal/visceral massage or visceral manipulation-the therapist uses deep but gentle manipulation of the abdomen to free tissue restrictions and improve abdominal organ function
• Active Release-the therapist applies pressure to the affected muscle, while the client performs the muscle’s usual movement to free adhesions and improve muscle function
• Infant massage-parents are taught by a qualified instructor in massage techniques to help relax their child, as well as enhance the parent-infant bond.
• Infant massage-parents are taught by a qualified instructor in massage techniques to help relax their child, as well as enhance the parent-infant bond.
• Thai  massage involves the client being placed on the floor, and the therapist uses hands, arms, elbows, legs and more to apply pressure to the client while also passively stretching and moving the clients limbs,
• Extremely popular, hot stone massage uses heated, smooth stones that are placed on specific areas on the client, while other areas are massaged. A warmed stone is even used to apply some of the massage strokes.
• Myofascial release is a gentle therapy that strives to release adhesions that result from strain or injury to allow the muscles to work at their best.
• Rolfing takes at least 10 sessions to be effective. It is a technique that frees adhesions that bind muscles and muscles groups using manipulation and education to aid clients.
• Alexander technique is a system of retraining the client to use proper posture by re-educating the body to break bad habits, resulting in conscious and proper movements that maintain muscle health.
• Bowen is a gentle, hands-on technique that has increased in popularity over the years. The therapist performs a series of gentle hand movements and has been successful to treat clients of all ages.
• Cranio-sacral therapy is a system of very slight movements and pressures that are said to affect the spinal fluid system. Clients remain fully clothed and the session’s length depends on the severity of the imbalances in the client’s system. It has been extremely successful for treating colicky infants.

Massage Therapy Sessions

Sessions may range from 15 minutes to 2 hours, with 60-90 minutes being the norm. On an initial appointment, therapists will explore the client’s medical history, any symptoms they’re experiencing, and the desired outcome. If there are no contraindications, the therapist will discuss modalities and proceed with the massage.

Depending on massage type, a client may be seated fully clothed in a specially designed padded chair, or partially to fully undressed and lying down on a padded table. When undressed, the therapist will drape all parts of the body with towels or sheets, except the area to be massaged. Oils or massage lotions may be used to reduce friction on the skin.

Our licensed massage therapist at Skinspirations(MM22778) is Jennifer Wilson (MA37275), who provides customized massage therapy as well as Lipomassage, a body contouring & cellulite, treatment. Contact Jennifer today at 727.599.6772 and arrange a session tailored to your needs.