Relaxation Massage Therapy is a wonderful healer and and good for stress reduction and relaxation. Massage is a term used to describe the pressing, rubbing, kneading, puling, stretching, and otherwise manipulating muscles, skin, joints, and tendons. It is the most widely used type of complementary and alternative medicine in hospitals today for the treatment of pain, mental health, stress reduction, and general well being. It is more than just a luxury pampering treat. Massage is great for stress because it relaxes the body and actually helps to turn off the stress response. It stimulates the para-sympathetic nervous system and turns off the sympathetic nervous system.
The gentle, soothing strokes of a massage cause the body to calm down and relax. The production of adrenaline is slowed. Breathing gets deeper. Heart rate slows, and blood is returned from the extremities to the internal organs so that adequate digestive processes can take place. Massage is the quintessential antithesis to stress!
If you lead a busy, stressful life, you can see massage as an essential item in your self-care and good health. It will calm you down, relax you, and help you to feel better. It will help you to go slow and come closer to experiencing the present moment. Massage is really the getaway for your mind, body, and spirit; a vacation from the constant stressors of the modern world. There are many health benefits to relaxation massage therapies and you should really consider making it a part of your regular health and wellness routine!
Types of Relaxation Massage Therapy
There are many different types of relaxation massage therapy, but some of the most popular are:
- Swedish massage therapy – This is the most common type of massage in the US. It involves long smooth strokes, circular movements, and kneading. The massage therapist uses oil or lotion when performing this type of massage. It is considered to be very relaxing and gentle.
- Deep tissue massage – This type of massage is quite different from Swedish massage therapy, as it targets the deeper layers of your muscles and connective tissue. It is often performed on an individual who has postural problems, chronically tight muscles, or who is recovering from an injury.
- Hot stone massage –This type of massage is using smooth stones that are heated and then placed on certain points of the body which need to loosen up the tight muscles. revolves around the placing of heated, smooth stones on certain points of your body. Sometimes, the therapist may apply gentle pressure with the stones. Although this may sound like it isn’t pleasant, the warmth of the stones actually provides you with a very comforting feeling.
- Aromatherapy Massage – The goal of aromatherapy massage is simply to help relax your mind and body. This is achieved with the use of essential oils, which are basically highly concentrated plant essences. Although you will experience the benefits of essential oils through contact with your skin, inhaling and absorbing them through your mouth and nose is what will actually help you get the most benefits. It’s not uncommon for different therapists to use different massage technique during aromatherapy massage.
- Shiatsu Massage – Shiatsu is a massage technique that originated in Japan, but has become extremely popular in almost all parts of the world. When translated, shiatsu means “finger pressure,” which is a great way to describe this technique. A shiatsu massage session involves the therapist using fingers, thumbs, palms, elbows, hands, knees, and/or feet in order to apply pressure to certain parts of your body. The therapist will also focus on stretching and rotating your joints, limbs, and pressure points.
- Thai Massage – Thai massage is based on the same belief as shiatsu, which is that your body is completely made up of energy. By taking part in Thai massage, you will achieve a state of deep relaxation, which can improve your emotional state and can even help change your personal outlook on life in a positive way. Thai massage is basically a mixture of assisted yoga postures, acupressure, and Ayurveda
- Reflexology – This practice involves the therapist applying pressure on the specific reflex zones on your feet in order to induce a healing response in corresponding areas of your body. Some of the benefits of this type of massage therapy include improved circulation and relaxation.
- Trigger Point Massage –This type of massage focuses on specific areas of your body, instead of the whole body. The therapist pinpoints the muscle that is causing your problems and then applies deep pressure in order to relax it.
Benefits of a Relaxation Massage Therapy
There are many good reasons for getting a relaxation massage but here are seven of the best!
- It makes you feel GREAT! Massage has been found in clinical studies to boost mood and can help alleviate symptoms of depression and sadness. Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils, which have medicinal properties and can be chosen for their mood-enhancing qualities. Neroli, sweet orange, bergamot, and lavender are all known for their mood elevating qualities.
- Massage helps you relax! If you are feeling stressed or uptight, massage is for you. The deep, soothing, and rhythmical strokes of a good massage should feel pleasurable to receive and they help the body to unwind as tensions are released. Massage can help you get into a place of very deep relaxation, which is essential for the body to heal.
- Massage helps reduce muscular tension and can alleviate muscular aches, pains, and injuries. Massage helps alleviate stiff neck, pain in the joints, back pain, and so on. Massage helps block pain receptors in the nervous system and it increases blood flow to the muscles. This can help increase joint mobility, and so can be beneficial for conditions such as arthritis.
- Massage helps reduce symptoms of anxiety. By lowering the cortisol levels in the body, massage helps calm the mind and relax the body. Anxiety is inevitably reduced through this process.
- Massage helps alleviate tension headaches. Tension headaches can be caused by postural misalignment or by muscular tension in other areas of the body. Massage relaxes the entire body and this release can result in the diminishment of tension headaches.
- It helps you get a good night’s sleep. Massage helps you relax so deeply that you may feel very sleepy after a session. If you plan to have your massage later in the day, it can lead you into a deeply restorative and restful sleep.
- It helps you detoxify the body. Massage helps stimulate the lymph system, which helps carry toxic waste from the muscles, organs, and tissues. This can help with digestion and will improve your overall health.
