Common Uses Of Massage Therapy

Here are some of the most common reasons for getting a body massage:

 

Relaxation

Although massage therapy offers many physical benefits, one of the main reasons people use it is simply to relax. After all, almost nothing feels better than a soothing massage when you're stressed out or overwhelmed.

 

Soothing Tense Muscles

Another popular use of massage is to soothe stress-related muscle tension, which often shows up in the shoulder blades, neck, and upper back.

Fortunately, almost any type of massage can help you break up muscle tissue and ease tension - even a simple at-home self-massage. But if you have deep knots, it might be better to opt for a deep tissue massage over the lighter-pressure kinds.

 

Back and Neck Pain

People often use massage to address back and neck pain, which can show up as a result of stress and muscle tension. Pain in this area can also occur due to bad sleeping posture, heavy lifting, or strenuous activity.

No matter the source of your back and neck issues, Swedish or other light-pressure massages are a good place to start for pain relief. And if you find that you need a deeper massage, you can always ask your masseuse to adjust the pressure (or do it yourself in the case of self-massage.)

 

Other Conditions

Nowadays, people from all walks of life are looking for natural ways to feel better. This is true for those with chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and countless other ailments.

The good news is that massage therapy seems to be helpful for people living with a wide variety of conditions.

Most of the time, massage is perfectly safe and beneficial. But it's important to note that not all conditions will benefit from massage, and it's best to check with your doctor before receiving one.

With that in mind, here are a few conditions that massage therapy seems to help with:

 

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition affecting the musculoskeletal system. It can cause pain, sleep problems, and other uncomfortable symptoms.

A 2014 meta-analysis found that massage therapy for greater than five weeks was beneficial for fibromyalgia patients' pain, anxiety, and depression.

 

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a nerve-related condition that may result in tingling or numbness in your fingers, hands, and even your lower arms.

A 2013 study found that massage with trigger point therapy twice a week for six weeks helped patients with carpal tunnel syndrome find relief.

 

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a condition characterized by inflamed tendons. Over time, scar tissue can develop over these inflamed areas and become painful. Fortunately, many people with tendonitis find that gentle body massage can ease their discomfort and help with inflammation.

While massage can help break up painful scar tissue, it's important to note that you should not directly massage acute tendonitis.

If you have tendonitis and want to try a massage, be sure to check with your doctor to find out whether or not it's right for you.

 

Leg, Thigh, Hamstring Pain

As you might know, massage has the power to ease tension and soothe discomfort all throughout the body. And this is why leg, thigh, and hamstring pain are some of the most common reasons people use it. In some cases, people even seek massage therapy to soothe calf and knee strains.