Massage therapy is an ancient art that has existed in one form or another for millennia. Archeologists have found references to massage in historical records from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Japan, and India.
Massage therapy can be used to promote relaxation and relieve stress or anxiety. It can also be used to help treat some physical conditions, especially various types of pain. Athletes often use massage as part of their physical therapy to recover from sports injuries. Massage therapy can also help prevent sports injuries in the first place by helping improve a patient’s flexibility or range of motion.
Types of Massage
Therapists have developed dozens of different types of massage over its long history. Swedish massage is the best-known and most popular type. The therapist will use different movements to manipulate the patient’s muscles. Those movements include long gliding strokes, tapping, kneading, rubbing, and vibrating or rocking movements. Swedish massage can promote relaxation, relieve pain or stiffness, and improve circulation by stimulating blood flow.
Sports massage is designed for athletes and can be tailored to suit the client’s needs. For example, the therapist may use stretching techniques to make muscles less stiff or to increase the flexibility of the patient’s joints. The therapist may also use heat or cold treatments for different purposes.
Deep tissue massage, also sometimes called therapeutic massage therapy, is a more intense type of massage in which the therapist increases pressure in order to reach the deeper tissues. It is used to improve range of motion and relieve deep-seated pain. In many cases, the therapist will concentrate on a specific area, such as the lower back.
Mother-to-be massage, also called prenatal or pregnancy massage, is designed for pregnant women past their first trimester. It helps relieve the stress, pain, and discomfort that can accompany pregnancy. Mother-to-be massage requires modifications of conventional techniques to maximize the patient’s comfort and keep the mother-to-be and baby safe.
Learn More
To get all the facts about massage therapy and which type of massage will work best in your case, consult our team at My Choice Spa & Wellness Lounge in DeSoto. We are proud to offer a variety of massages for our patients to choose from. Contact us today to book your appointment and get started.
