6.9% of U.S. adults utilize massage therapy. Massage therapy offers more than relaxation.
Massage offers a myriad of physical and mental benefits. Massage is also versatile; you can opt for a simple and relaxing massage or a seriously regenerative massage.
How does your massage therapist work their wonders? Massage therapists utilize a number of different techniques that heal your muscles and tissues and reduce pain and inflammation.
These techniques will also influence the results you receive.
Want to learn more about massage therapy and the benefits it will bring you? Here are 4 effective massage techniques and why your massage therapist will use them.
- Kneading
Kneading is a technique massage therapists use when they emphasize pressure from a specific part of their hand. The part of the hand they use depends on the pressure they apply and the amount of area they cover.
For example, thumb kneading is used to heal smaller areas while palm kneading covers a larger area.
The pressure used also depends on the type of treatment and how your muscles and tissue will respond. The massage therapist controls this with kneading.
Kneading also requires a specific rhythm and rate of the movement. This is all combined with the amount of pressure used and the part of the hand they use.
- Longitudinal Gliding
While this is a basic technique, there’s a specific technique to longitudinal gliding.
The massage therapist’s hands glide in the direction of your blood flow.
This helps disperse fluids in your body so the blood isn’t attracted to any sight of injury or pain. This technique is used just about all types of massage but those with suffer from swelling or inflammation will see results from this technique.
- Trigger Point Therapy
If you suffer from a specific injury or severe pain, such as muscle pain and soreness after a car accident, you’ll benefit from this technique.
Trigger point therapy applies pressure to tender muscle tissue. This helps relieve pain and ay dysfunction, not only from the site of massage but also on a full-body scale.
Trigger points are points of muscular hyperactivity. These are also areas prone to “muscle knots.”
- Myofascial Releases
The fascia is an area located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone. It’s a web of connective tissue that covers and connects organs, muscles, skeletal structures.
When the fascia is restricted or damaged, it can cause a myriad of issues such as poor posture and even a higher risk of injury. Myofascial releases stretch the fascia, balancing your whole body and restoring the damaged fascia and tissue.
These Massage Techniques Will Help You Feel Better
Massage therapists work magic on our tissues and muscles. That’s because they mastered these massage techniques. From relaxing your whole body to healing an injured area, massage therapy can offer so many benefits.
Want to learn more about health? We have a diverse health section that covers many areas of health, such as preventing an injury to losing weight. Continue reading our blog!
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