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What
is massage?
Massage
is rubbing the soft tissues of
the body, such as the muscles.
Massage may be helpful in
reducing tension and pain,
improving blood flow, and
encouraging relaxation.
Massage therapists usually
apply pressure with their
hands, but they can also use
their forearms, elbows, or
feet. There are at least 80
different types of massage.
Some are gentle, and some are
very active and intense.
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example, Swedish massage is
very gentle and is often used
to promote relaxation, improve
blood flow, and relieve muscle
tension. The therapist uses
long, gliding strokes and
kneading and tapping
techniques on the top layer of
muscles in the direction of
blood flow to the heart. This
may also include moving the
joints gently to improve range
of motion. |
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A
deep tissue massage is more
active and intense. It is used
to treat long-lasting muscle
tension. The therapist applies
slow strokes (with the
fingers, thumbs, and elbows)
using intense pressure to
reach deeper layers of the
muscles than those reached
with a Swedish massage
technique.
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| You
can use self-massage to unwind
after work or school, or to
energize yourself in the
morning. You can easily
massage your feet, hands, or
neck while doing other tasks
or while relaxing.
Self-massage works best if you
are in comfortable clothes and
are sitting or lying in a
comfortable position. Use oil
or lotion to massage bare
skin.
Trigger
point massage is less gentle
and can sometimes be
uncomfortable. The therapist
applies firm pressure to knots
or tight, tense muscles that
have been overused or injured,
continuing until the muscles
relax. Let your massage
therapist know if you feel any
discomfort during the massage.
Some
people feel that massage works
because the touch is healing.
Touch also communicates a
sense of caring.
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| Massage
therapy involves the
manipulation and rubbing of
the soft tissues of the body,
with particular focus on
muscles and pressure points.
Massage therapy may be used as
part of physical therapy, or
on its own to help relax areas
where muscles are tight. In
other cases, massage therapy
may focus on pressure points
of the body that are thought
to give relief from pain or
health problems in other parts
of the body.
There
are numerous forms of massage
therapy. Most people find a
method or two that they like
and then stick with
practitioners who use this
form. Often people find a
particular massage therapist
who makes them feel
comfortable and remain loyal
customers of that massage
therapist.
People
use massage to promote
relaxation and relieve pain.
It can also relieve muscle
tension and may improve blood
flow, relieve pressure on
nerves, and restore normal
joint movement.
Most
studies on massage show that
massage reduces anxiety,
improves blood flow, and
decreases muscle tension.
Always
tell your doctor if you are
using an alternative therapy
or if you are thinking about
combining an alternative
therapy with your conventional
medical treatment. It may not
be safe to forgo your
conventional medical treatment
and rely only on an
alternative therapy.
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