Conditions treated through Massage Therapy

Benefits of getting a massage from a Registered Massage Therapist

Massage therapy seeks to enhance the overall health of the body by improving circulation, joint function, soft tissue mobility/plasticity, and normalizing the body's ability to withstand stress. As such, a number of problems, conditions, complaints, or the general health status of individuals may be improved by the application of therapeutic massage.

Below are some conditions that can be improved through MassageTherapy:

  • Asthma
  • Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Chronic and acute pain
  • Circulatory problems
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Myofascial pain
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Sports injuries (including pulled or strained muscles and ligaments)
  • Stress
  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

Moreover, clinical research has shown massage therapy can:

  • Be more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies.
  • Promote relaxation and alleviate the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer patients.
  • Reduce post-traumatic headaches better than cold pack treatments.
  • Lessen pain and muscle spasms in patients who have undergone heart bypass surgery when part of hospital-based surgery treatment.
  • Stimulate the brain to produce endorphins.
  • Improve confidence by encouraging patients to effectively cope with their pain.

Some Examples of Massage Treatments

  • Effleurage: Slow, rhythmic, gliding strokes, usually in direction of blood flow toward the heart. Usually the massage therapist uses the whole hand, gradually applying an increasing amount of pressure.
  • Petrissage: Kneading, pressing, and rolling muscle groups. The massage therapist will take hold of the tissue and alternately tighten and loosen his or her grasp.
  • Friction: Steady pressure or tight circular movements across the muscle fibers without moving across the skin, often used in areas around joints.
  • Deep Tissue Massage: Slow strokes and deep finger pressure on areas of the body suffering from chronic muscle tension or areas that simply ache or feel contracted.
  • Sports Massage: Focuses on the use of massage to assist training, prevent injury, and aid healing in case of injury or soreness.