If you’re confused and sore, it’s possible you’ll suppose there’s nothing you are able to do however take some over-the-counter ache relievers and plow by way of your day. But licensed therapeutic massage therapist, Victoria Bodner, LMT says you don’t have to smile and bear it.
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit tutorial medical middle. Advertising on our website helps help our mission. We don’t endorse non-Cleveland Clinic services or products. Policy
Massage is a superb software for leisure, ache reduction, easing muscle stress and extra, says Bodner. She stuffed us in on among the frequent kinds of therapeutic massage — and how you can discover the one which’s best for you.
Types of therapeutic massage remedy
Massages are available in all sizes and shapes. Here are among the choices you would possibly discover on a therapeutic massage remedy menu.
1. Swedish therapeutic massage
Feeling confused? A Swedish therapeutic massage is the traditional go-to for main leisure. Swedish therapeutic massage is often a full-body therapeutic massage that makes use of a mild contact. It’s an excellent decide for folks new to massages.
“It can help calm your nervous system. Swedish massage is also a good avenue for encouraging a relaxed emotional state of mind which can directly impact your muscles,” says Bodner.
2. Deep tissue
Your muscle tissue can get tight from repeated use — even from one thing much less energetic like sitting, driving or hunching over your laptop computer. “Deep tissue massage gets into your muscles and tendons to release that tightness,” Bodner says. It’s good for folks with accidents, basic muscle tightness and power muscle ache.
3. Sports therapeutic massage
Sports massages are just like deep-tissue massages, however they zero in on the muscle tissue that take a beating while you play sports activities or do one other repetitive bodily exercise.
“Athletes and dancers use their bodies differently than the average person,” Bodner says. “A massage therapist with experience in sports massage can get in there to break up muscle tightness and address sports injuries.”
4. Trigger level therapeutic massage
A knot in your neck or a decent spot in your again is called a set off level. “A trigger point is a tiny muscle spasm or tight spot in the tissue,” Bodner explains. In a trigger-point therapeutic massage, the therapeutic massage therapist makes use of centered and direct strain to focus on these spots. This will increase blood circulation to the areas, serving to them launch. This sort of therapeutic massage can be useful for folks with power ache.
5. Myofascial launch
The fascia is an online of connective tissue below the pores and skin. “It supports the muscles and allows us to move freely,” Bodner explains. When you get a myofascial launch, your therapeutic massage therapist will knead and stretch the muscle tissue and fascia to work out stress and tightness. “It’s a form of deep stretching often used together with other therapeutic massage techniques,” she says. “It’s great for opening up tightness in the neck, shoulders and your upper and lower back.”
6. Lymphatic therapeutic massage
Lymphatic fluid has a number of necessary features, together with sustaining fluid ranges and eradicating waste merchandise from the physique. Lymphatic therapeutic massage makes use of a mild contact to assist lymphatic fluid circulation extra freely by way of the physique.
“Lymphatic massage is great for people with inflammation — including people with illnesses like arthritis, as well as people who have had mastectomies, which often involve removing the lymph nodes,” Bodner says.
7. Prenatal therapeutic massage
Prenatal massages are nice for serving to moms-to-be calm down and can assist deal with the aches and pains of rising a child. “Prenatal massages are wonderful for taking pressure off the hips and can help with swelling in the feet and legs,” Bodner says. “And when mom is relaxed and feeling well, the baby benefits, too.”
What therapeutic massage is greatest?
Not positive what sort of therapeutic massage is best for you? You don’t must zero in on the right passage earlier than reserving an appointment. In truth, therapeutic massage therapists usually combine and match methods to handle your distinctive considerations.
“The different types of massage aren’t exclusive from one another,” Bodner says. “A massage therapist uses a combination of techniques to help you relax, get rid of tight muscles and address other concerns.”
Surprising causes to e-book a therapeutic massage
Stress, ache and muscle stress aren’t the one causes to e-book a therapeutic massage. Bodner suggests some lesser-known causes to get hands-on remedy:
- Pre- and post-surgery: “Before surgery, a massage can help calm your nervous system, so you’re in the best possible place for healing,” she says. “After surgery, it can break up scar tissue and keep blood flowing to help you heal.” Be positive to ask your physician for the all-clear earlier than reserving a post-surgical therapeutic massage.
- Car accidents: After a crash, your physique might be holding onto plenty of stress. Massages can assist you launch and calm down.
- Trauma and nervousness: “Our body language changes with our emotional state,” Bodner says. Massage will be one part of remedy for trauma and nervousness. “It may help your body and brain release some of the negative emotions,” she provides.
- Cancer remedy: Research means that therapeutic massage might assist sufferers cope higher with the unwanted side effects of chemotherapy and radiation remedy for most cancers.
“There are so many good reasons to see a massage therapist,” Bodner says. From head to toe, your physique shall be so glad you probably did.
