Typically, you will be asked to fill out a health history form before your session. Some studios service minors (under 18) with written consent from a parent/guardian and completion of a Minor Client Intake Form. It is important to stay hydrated before and after your massage. Some massage therapists recommend drinking water before your appointment to prepare your muscles and after to flush out the toxins released during your session.
Relaxation
A relaxation massage uses a range of techniques to reduce high levels of cortisol and encourages the release of serotonin in the body. It is a great option after a hard week at work or during the weekend when you want to take a break from responsibilities and enjoy some rest and rejuvenation. It is typically a lighter touch than therapeutic massage and usually involves rubbing, kneading and some rolling. It is also common for spas or treatment rooms to use calming music.
A good relaxing massage will leave you oozing with well being. It is a good idea to schedule a time for a nap or snooze afterwards and avoid resuming strenuous activity immediately. The benefits of one massage last days, so give your body a chance to soak it all in! Some Discover Local Studios offer couples massage, where you can get a massage with a friend or loved one in the same room. Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your session, as hydrated muscles are more flexible.
Stress Reduction
Stress is an unavoidable part of life and everyone experiences it to some degree. If left unmanaged stress can have a detrimental effect on the body and mind. Some ways to reduce stress include exercise, yoga and meditation. Massage is also a great way to decrease stress. The physical act of massage can decrease stress by lowering heart rate, relaxing muscles and releasing feel good hormones. It can also increase the elasticity of soft tissue, which helps to relieve tension and stress.
Mental stress can cause pain and increase the feeling of pain in the body. Massage can help to decrease stress and encourage relaxation by releasing feel good hormones, decreasing cortisol levels and increasing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. The body’s pain signals are also interrupted which decreases the feeling of pain.
Pain Relief
Research has shown massage decreases the levels of pain-causing chemicals in the body, and may also relieve the symptoms of some chronic conditions. Different types of massage are designed to address specific segments of the body and may help alleviate pain by relaxing tight muscles, tendons and ligaments; decreasing the formation of adhesions and scar tissue; and relieving “referred” pain, where one area of the body is activated by another.
One of the ways that Learn Massage Benefits relieves pain is by stimulating competing nerve fibers that overwhelm or interrupt the signals coming from nociceptors, the nerves that report injury to the brain. Massage also stimulates proprioceptors (nerves that send information about the position of the joints to the brain) and mechanoreceptors (which respond to pressure). This enables the massage to have multiple pain-relieving effects.
Increased Flexibility
Getting regular massages can help maintain flexibility. It is especially important for athletes or people who engage in physical activities, because it reduces the risk of injury like pulled muscles or twisted joints. Massage also increases the flow of blood and lymph, which can help the muscles move more freely and reduces tightness in joints. Massage can be done before physical activity to warm up the muscles and increase flexibility, or after to flush out the toxins and lactic acid that was shaken loose during exercise.
Final Word
Previously viewed as a luxury for the wealthy, massage therapy is now an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. From reducing anxiety to boosting the immune system, studies show that massage has a host of benefits. Students learn physiology and kinesiology, and develop an understanding of the many different massage techniques, or modalities. Watch an NWHSU student explain his experience learning pre- and post-natal massage.
