The Many Faces of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has long been used to soothe muscles but also has other benefits besides just making you relax. The soothing action of massage therapy has many benefits that science now agrees are true. Massage stimulates the circulatory system providing blood flow and therefore increased nutrition and oxygen to all parts of the body. It relaxes the muscles around injured areas, which reduces the healing time. For those who recently had surgery, massage therapy helps minimize the potential for adhesions following the surgery and edema. It also helps to reduce scarring and realigns scar tissue if it does occur.

It helps people with specific conditions, like TMJ. Dentists now realize that patients get more relief from TMJ with a neck massage than they did from the expensive surgery and mouth retainers prescribed earlier. Migraine sufferers also find help from massage therapy. Studies found that it reduces the amount of medication necessary to conquer the migraine.

For those that want to look better and feel better, the increased circulation from massage therapy causes an improvement to the skin. It not only increases the circulation of the blood but also the lymph system. Baby boomers with aging joints find that it aids in keeping their joints flexible and movement young. It also increases the range of motion and reduces cramping and spasms.

Finally, one of the biggest reasons for a great massage is just to feel happy. Of course, you'll feel good because of the massage, but also because it releases the body's natural happy drug, endorphins. This natural painkiller gives a peaceful, relaxed mentality while it deadens the pain and allows the body to heal itself.

There are several ways that you can receive massage therapy and several different styles of therapy. One of these styles is the Shiatsu massage. This ancient art was used for thousands of years in China to increase the body's stamina and their Chi, energy force. It uses a combination of assisted muscle stretching and acupressure to increase the circulation of both the lymph and blood throughout the body. It reduces stress by eliminating tension and stimulation the flow of toxins out of the body and lowers the blood pressure. You can receive the benefits of this type of massage from a massage therapist licensed in the art or use one of the innovative shiatsu massage chairs. These miraculous chairs provide healing pressure up and down the spine as they add the comfort of warmth, and all in the privacy of your own home.

Swedish massage is perhaps one of the best known and more popular forms of massage. It uses several different movements applied in a firm but gentle manner to bring relief. The techniques employed involve not only the gliding strokes often thought of as a Swedish massage but also kneading, friction, tapping and vibration. The basis for some of the more modern forms of massage comes from the Swedish massage techniques. Sports massage, aromatherapy and deep tissue massage all have their foundation in the Swedish massage. Because of the varying techniques, it supplies many different benefits. One of these is to increase circulation without putting extra burdens on the heart. If you live in an area where Swedish massage is available, you'll often find that you'll have a short wait.

Sometimes this is embarrassing when only covered in a sheet. There are other ways to get the benefits of the Swedish massage and one is through robotic massage chairs that function on the same principal.

Hot stone massage is one method to bring warm healing relief to areas of the body that are tight and painful. The pressure from the stones and the heat they emit create warm comfort to those that have problems with their energy balance and muscle tension. This type of massage is most easily reproduced by massage chairs.

Reflexology massage is also easily reproduced by mechanical means. These types of massage, developed in 1913 by Dr. Fitzgerald, focuses on various zones in the body that cause specific organs to respond. The primary locations on the body that trigger healing blood and energy flow are on the hands and feet. Consequently, reflexology gloves, and socks offer a technological alternative to this type of massage.

Is technology or the human touch better to cure the sore muscles and painful ailments helped by the massage. The answer depends on what you find most comfortable, the number of massages you wish to receive and your philosophy. If you're uncomfortable with another person touching you or don't wish to disrobe and be covered by a sheet, then a robotic massage chair might be just what you want. Others find they like the human touch but can't afford the time and constant cost of repeated visits. In this case, even the best massage chair will be a bargain for the frequent recipient. Visiting a masseuse takes time away from your work and costs a considerable amount of money when done frequently. A shiatsu massage chair or other type of chair is available during your down hours, relaxes you while you're at home at the end of the day and allows you to immediately sleep in the comfort of deep relaxation, something not offered by even the best masseuse.

You can find some great massage chairs Online.