Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation.
PRE-NATAL
Pregnancy massage has been found to reduce stress, decrease swelling in the arms and legs, and relieve aches and pains in muscles and joints. It's a popular complementary therapy during pregnancy for back pain, when choices for pain relief, such as medication, are often limited. Not only can massage be physically beneficial, but the human touch can be comforting and provide emotional support during pregnancy. Massage therapy has been found to reduce anxiety and depression.
The Benefits of Prenatal Massage:
- First and foremost, prenatal massage makes you feel good. It nurtures and pampers the body at a time when it needs it most. In addition to soothing the body and dissolving stress, a trained touch delivers a wide range of psychological and emotional benefits.
- It's a safe and relaxing way to relieve pregnancy's common discomforts like backaches, carpal-tunnel syndrome, leg cramps and shakes, headaches, heartburn, fatigue, hemorrhoids, nasal congestion, sciatica and shortness of breath.
- Prenatal massage does more than benefit the mother. Everything a pregnant woman does � from her diet and fitness to her relaxation and relative state of contentment - also directly affects the child she is carrying. Study after study has proven that calmness in the mother leads to healthier in-utero development.
- Regular prenatal massage can help prepare you for labor by making the pelvis more supple.
- Just like a regular massage, prenatal massage:
- improves circulation
- aids lymphatic flow
- removes toxins
- promotes relaxation
- raises endorphin levels
- eases neck, back and joint pain
- relieves muscle spasms and cramps
Myofascial Massage Therapy is a deep tissue massage technique that can effect profound changes in the connective tissue enveloping the musculature and, consequently, in the muscles themselves. This technique is often indicated for chronic pain, tension, lost range of motion, postural imbalances or distortions, guarding and otherwise unmoving tissue. By releasing restrictions in the soft tissue, this work can aid in establishing freer and flowing movement and balance in the body.
THERAPEUTIC / DEEP TISSUE
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain. When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the massage therapist often uses direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles.
Unlike classic massage therapy, which is used for relaxation, deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Limited mobility
- Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)
- Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Postural problems
- Ostearthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle tension or spasm
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