What was once considered simply a way to unwind after a hard day at school or work, massage therapy in Canby has now been fully integrated into fitness and wellness programs around the world. Western medicine has embraced the benefits of massage therapy. Massage is a term used to describe any form of rubbing or manipulating the skin, tendons, ligaments and muscles of the body. Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, elbows and forearms to apply pressure to the body, thereby releasing pent up tension.
Massage therapy has evolved into several different forms. Among them, the most common are Swedish massages, sports massages, deep-tissue massages and trigger-point massages.
If you are looking for a gentle massage with kneading and long strokes across the back and limbs using deep circular movements and vibrating the skin, then Swedish massage is for you. The goal of Swedish massage is to relax the body and then to energize it.
Sports massage, as the name implies, is more for the athlete. Like Swedish massage, similar techniques are used but with the goal more focused on injury prevention.
For a much slower and forceful massage, deep-tissue is ideal. The more powerful and controlled movements allow the massage therapist to get deep into the layers of muscle and connective tissue. Like sports massage, deep-tissue massage helps to reduce and even prevent injury.
The last of the messages is trigger point massage. Across the human body, there are several hundred trigger points. These areas are knotted bunches of muscle which are very sensitive. Trigger point massage works on releasing these trigger points.
The benefits of massage therapy in Canby are numerous. Research has shown that massage therapy can be helpful for relieving stress and anxiety, pain, stiffness in the body and immunity boosting. Some research has even indicated that massage therapy can have positive effects on people fighting the fight of their lives: cancer.
In addition to, and sometimes more so, massage therapy establishes a connection between the therapist and the recipient and creates a sense of caring and empowerment. It is important to remember that massage therapy is not meant to be a replacement of regular medical care, rather as a complementary activity.
If you are struggling with injuries such as burns or open wounds, rheumatoid arthritis or a fracture or if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before you get a massage. Massage therapy is generally very safe, but it is not always appropriate for everyone. It is important before you get a massage, especially a more aggressive one, to drink lots of water. After the session, you may feel sore or “out of it.” You should not be in pain, however. During the massage, make sure to tell the therapist of any discomfort you are feeling. The therapist is expecting some dialogue from you as to how the session is progressing and will adjust the pressure as necessary.
