Massage

When was the last time you got a massage? Did you know that in addition to feeling amazing, regular sessions with a massage therapist also have many potential health benefits?

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. There are many different types of massage. This is because there are many different goals. For example, Swedish massage is more gentle using long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize your body. Deep tissue on the other hand, uses more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries. Every therapist and every massage -even with the same therapist- will be different.

This therapeutic service is so much more than just passively lying down while someone touches your muscles. I find it important to note that any massage involves an energetic exchange- not only from the therapist to you, but also from you to them. This unseen exchange is a transfer of emotion, intent, and compassion that can only be measured by experiencing it. A massage therapist’s intent can completely change how it’s received and felt by the recipient. The therapist aims to connect with the client during a massage in order to listen to the body and the signals it sends. When the therapist is completely in tune with the client, intuition tells them very clearly where to massage, how long and how deep. If the therapist has their “heart” in the massage, the result is much more profound and more healing. As the client your only job is to be clear about what you do/don’t want and have an open heart to receive.

Allow yourself to ask the therapist questions about themself, the way they work and styles they specialize in to ensure you’re comfortable with them and feel a level of trust. This should also bring about confidence that you’ll get the most out of your massage. This is also an optimal time to mention any injuries or areas you’d like to focus on. You should inform the therapist of any allergies or even essential oils that you don't like.

I’m sure we’re all aware the occasional massage can add some relaxation to our lives, but what could happen if you added this therapy to your regular self care routine? There are varying ideas of how often one should get a massage as every body has different needs. I recommend first establishing a relationship with a massage therapist you trust so that they can learn your body. The therapist should then be able to gauge how often your body needs work and recommend a schedule for you.

Okay, enough background information, let’s get into the good stuff. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it can directly impact emotional, mental, and physical wellness, making it an ideal therapy for anyone and everyone.

The long term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls. Regular massage can relieve not only stress, but also the conditions it causes like tension headaches or anxiety. This regular practice can even ease depression and it’s symptoms.

Pain can negatively affect the quality of a person’s life and even impede recovery from illness or injury. Massage can be an effective therapy for chronic pain management by moderating inflammation, improving blood flow, and reducing tissue stiffness.

Elite and recreational athletes alike can benefit from massage as it increases range of motion, reduces muscle tension, enhances exercise performance, and prevents injuries. Medical research indicates this therapy can help boost immune system strength by increasing the activity level of the body’s natural “killer T cells”, which kill off viruses. Research suggests regular massages can lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Last but certainly not least, massage therapy can improve your quality of sleep.

So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call or go online to book your next massage at Transcend!