Massage Therapy

Some specific conditions that Massage can help include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Digestive disorders

• Fibromyalgia

• Headache

• Insomnia

• Nerve pain

• Postoperative care

• Scar tissue

• Soft tissue strains and injuries

• Sports injuries

• Temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders

Physical benefits

For most patients, massage therapy is an important part of specific medical treatment plans to help them return to daily activities. For example, massage therapy is helpful after joint replacement surgery or injury.

Physical benefits of massage include:

• Improved circulation

• Decreased muscle stiffness

• Decreased joint inflammation

• Better quality of sleep

• Quicker recovery between workouts

• Improved flexibility

• Less pain and soreness

• Strengthened immune response

Mental benefits

Massage also has many mental health benefits. Even people who are focused on the physical benefits say they feel less stressed after getting a massage.

Other mental benefits include:

• Lower stress levels

• Improved relaxation

• Improved mood

• Decreased anxiety

• More energy

• Increase feeling of wellness

After a massage

It's common to feel relaxed, tired or even sore after a massage. This is because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist. After a massage, it may feel like you completed a workout. It is possible to experience a headache or nausea after a massage.

Some people think that massage must hurt to help. But a massage doesn't need to be painful to be effective.

If your massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during a massage.