Why Do People Get Therapeutic Massages?
There are many reasons to get therapeutic massage. It may be recommended by your doctor as part of your treatment or recovery plan. Therapeutic massages may be used in physiotherapy if someone has sustained an injury that prohibits their muscle movement and functions. It can also help with wound treatment, cancer, and other types of ailments.
Depending on the needs of the client, they may only need one session of massage therapy. Clients like athletes, laborers, or other highly stressed employees regularly need therapeutic massages to keep themselves in great physical and mental condition.
No matter the age, anyone can benefit from therapeutic massages, even those who have disabilities, are pregnant, or have other medical conditions. Massages can be tailored to fit any client that may need a different approach because of their medical conditions. All therapeutic massages should be performed by a certified professional to ensure safety.
Therapeutic massages use a variety of techniques. If you have certain medical conditions or needs, your massage therapist can accommodate you and take a different approach than normal to still provide an excellent experience. If you are not sure whether massage therapy is right for you, contact us at Reflections Therapeutic Massage to make an individualized plan.
How Does a Therapeutic Massage Help You?
Massage therapy combines relaxation and remedial massage techniques. This makes your therapeutic massage experience relaxing for your body. It can help with muscle tightness or other issues that you may have.
Therapeutic massages can improve your circulation, increase oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells, and can reduce swelling. This could be beneficial in treating inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Because massage therapy creates a relaxing experience, it lowers your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. It can boost your immune system and decrease the physical effects that are associated with stress.
Along with these benefits, there are other conditions that massage therapy may be beneficial for.
What Conditions Benefit from a Therapeutic Massage?
Therapeutic massages can benefit your body in many ways. Massages help relax muscle tissue which will lower joint and nerve compression. When it decreases that joint and nerve compression, your joints and muscles have a greater range of motion with less pain.
Massage therapy can help the following, but is not limited to:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Arthritis
- Low immunity
- Minor injuries
When Are the Best Times for a Therapeutic Massage?
If you feel like you are getting overwhelmed, stressed, or not feeling the best, it might be a good time to get a therapeutic massage.
Depending on your needs, you may schedule massages only once a month or so. If you are highly stressed, it may be necessary to have weekly or every other week therapeutic massages.
How Long Should a Massage Be?
If you are new to getting therapeutic massages or it has been a long time since you visited a massage therapist, your first appointment is about 60 to 90 minutes. This helps your massage therapist understand your needs and helps your muscles be less sore the next day.
After your first appointment, your massage therapist will assess what needs to be done in every appointment after.
What Massage Frequency Works Best?
The frequency you get therapeutic massages depends on your lifestyle. Massage therapists usually advise that you schedule a massage every four to six weeks. For your muscles to have their full range of motion, they need to be relaxed.
For your body to get the most out of each massage, regular therapeutic massages will help your body be less tense on a day-to-day basis. Massage therapy will give you a boost in your physical wellness and create better habits to ensure you have less muscle tension.
If you have a specific set of needs or need guidance on massage therapy, contact your massage therapist to determine how often you should have a therapeutic massage.