What is the right Massage for you?
I Want a Massage, But What Kind?
With massage making the news as America’s number 1 choice of healthcare for pain, stress relief and overall health maintenance, many people are curious about whether or not they could benefit from Massages. Unless they receive a direct therapist referral and are told what kind of massage to inquire about, many never pick up the phone to actually make an appointment.
The diversity of Massage modalities, names and the little explanation of their meanings, may make it intimidating to just call a place and set an appointment.
Don't be afraid by the unknown. Follow these two very important steps and enjoy the benefits of Massage Therapy:
1- Look for a State Licensed Massage Therapist, check his/ her credentials and reviews. Make sure after the first few sections that you are comfortable and relaxed with your therapist, or look for a different one.
2- Instruct yourself, and don't be afraid of making questions and asking for details, in order to get exactly the treatment you are looking for.
There is no generic method of determining which kind of massage is right for you, but we all can identify why we want the treatment and which modalities or kinds are recommended.
Below are some reasons you may want to receive massage and a listing of the kinds of massage and depths of pressure that will be appropriate.
1. Reason: Reduce Pain, Fatigue and Stress. Will increase joy in life.
Types of Recommended Massage:
Swedish Massage- Light to deep pressure or superficial to deep tissue.
Myofascial Massage- Moderate to deep pressure.
Lymphatic Massage- Very light pressure.
Reiki- No pressure.
Structural Integration- Very deep pressure.
2. Reason: Injury and Sports Recovery. Will remove muscular adhesions, lengthen muscles, and release trigger points.
Types of Recommended Massage:
Myofascial Massage - Moderate to deep pressure.
Trigger Point Work- Moderate to deep pressure.
Lymphatic Massage- Very light pressure.
Sports Massage- Moderate pressure.
Structural Integration- Very deep pressure.
3. Reason: Prevent Injury & Maintain Health. Improves local circulation, corrects muscular imbalances, delivers nutrients to the body, removes toxins and debris, and moves the lymphatic system.
Types of Recommended Massage:
Swedish Massage - Light to deep pressure.
Myofascial Massage- Moderate to deep pressure.
Reflexology- Light to deep pressure.
Lymphatic Massage- Very light pressure.
Structural Integration- Very deep pressure.
Reiki- No pressure.
4. Reason: Support in Times of Change or Loss. Reconnect with yourself, others, the world.
Types of Recommended Massage:
SwedishMassage- Light to moderate pressure.
Myofascial Massage - Moderate pressure.
Reiki - No pressure.
The Mith of Deep Tissue Massage
Do you do Deep Tissue Massage? This is the most common question we receive at Stress Management Center. Only because it has become firmly entrenched in our culture that only Deep Tissue is effective. For anything. Deep Tissue refers to the depth of the tissues being worked and most often means the hand and finger pressure applied is going to be hard and many times painful. It actually is not a ‘kind’ of massage but is a Heading to a List of Kinds or Modalities of Massage that could access the deeper tissues and may require a firm, strong hand and finger pressure.
Deep Tissue work is not for all conditions and, in some instances, is contraindicated. For example, if you have low blood pressure, take blood thinners, have skin that bruises or tears easily—Deep Tissue Massage is not for you. There are other reasons to not receive Deep Tissue that you can discuss with your doctor or qualified massage therapist.
There are many types of massage that can be used to produce the same results with varying degrees of hand and finger pressure and accessing the superficial or deep tissues. There is no generic method of determining which kind of massage is right for you, but we all can identify why we want the treatment and which modalities or kinds are recommended.
For more information on each specific type, please visit our website www.massageandstressmanagement.com and go to the tab Massages and Therapies.
