Massage Therapy And Its Benefits

Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last blog, we talked about reasons why you should visit a chiropractor. Today, we’ll be talking about massage therapy and its benefits. Many people suffer from issues such as back or neck pain or soreness. Instead of taking an over-the-counter pain killer and calling it a day, massage therapy may be the answer. Here at Lowcountry Chiropractic, we offer both Swedish and Therapeutic massage for stress relief and relaxation. Believe it or not, massage therapy goes hand-in-hand with chiropractic care– You can experience a more effective chiropractic adjustment when your muscles are relaxed! In this blog, we’ll be talking about different types of massage and their benefits. So, if you are interested in learning more, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started. 

The word massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing, or manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It has been proven to have a wide range of benefits, such as:

• Reducing pain and muscle soreness
  
• Reducing tension and stress
  
• Improving energy, alertness, and circulation
  
• Lowering heart rate and blood pressure
  
• Improving immune function
  
• Increasing relaxation
  

In addition, massage therapy can also be beneficial for those who suffer from conditions such as anxiety, digestive disorders, headaches, nerve pain, sports injuries, joint pain, and even insomnia. 43% of Americans seek out massage therapy for pain management and overall wellness, and 88% of consumers agree that massage is effective in relieving pain. Research has shown that massage therapy is effective for low back pain, reducing headache frequency, lowering blood pressure, and boosting the body’s immune system functioning.

Massage therapy is performed by a trained, certified medical professional known as a massage therapist. It is performed by manipulating the soft tissues of your body, including muscle, connective tissues, ligaments, and skin. This manipulation is done with varying degrees of pressure, movement, and techniques. One goal of massage therapy is to slow down your nervous system, helping you to relax and release stress and tension. By doing this, you can find relief from symptoms, heal injuries, and support your overall wellness. When massage therapy is used in conjunction with chiropractic care, the two complement each other to bring a multitude of benefits. As mentioned above, massage therapy can help your body respond faster and more effectively to chiropractic adjustments. This, in turn, can allow your body to function at its optimal best.

There are a variety of types of massages, and each one serves a different purpose. Let’s take a look at a few. 

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is one of the most common massage types. It is sometimes referred to as a “classic” massage. It is gentle and best suited for those who are looking for tension relief and relaxation. This massage loosens up tight muscles, so it can be helpful for people who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or computer, or who hold a lot of tension in their lower back, neck, or shoulders. During a Swedish massage, some techniques used are kneading, deep circular movements, long strokes, and passive joint movements. This is meant to not only relax the body but also increase blood flow and stimulate nerve endings. Swedish massage is also great for those who have never had a massage before, as it is very gentle. 

Deep Tissue Massage

Sometimes referred to as therapeutic massage, a deep tissue massage targets specific muscle groups or problem areas that are causing pain or restricting a person’s range of motion. This type of massage is great for athletes and people with injuries, and can also be beneficial for those who suffer from conditions such as fibromyalgia. A deep tissue massage uses some of the same techniques as Swedish massage, but applies more pressure, as it targets the inner layers of the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. Although this massage applies more pressure and may be more intense, you should not feel any pain or discomfort.

Sports Massage

As the name suggests, a sports massage is great for athletes, especially if they have an injury to a muscle due to repetitive use. It is also a great option if you are prone to injuries in general. A sports massage can help increase flexibility, relieve pain, improve athletic performance, and release muscle tension. It can be performed as a full-body massage or on specific parts of the body that need attention. It is often performed with deep pressure and alternating strokes, including strokes that are applied in circular or linear motions.

Trigger Point Massage

A trigger point is an area of tightness within muscle tissue that is often caused by repetitive activity. Essentially, the muscle has tensed up and refuses to let go. It is commonly associated with people who spend their days hunched over at a computer. These tense muscles can cause pain and discomfort, as well as stiffness. A trigger point massage is great for those who have chronic pain, injuries, or a specific condition. The massage focuses on the areas of trigger points by using alternating levels of pressure to alleviate tension. This type of massage can also be performed at home by using your fingers to press firmly into the “knots” or sore spots you find. 

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage that helps lymph fluids to circulate throughout the body. The lymphatic system consists of lymph, lymph nodes and vessels, and lymphoid tissues. Together, this system helps eliminate the body’s waste and protects the body from toxins and invaders that can cause illness. It is part of your immune system, and utilizes the natural movements of muscle and tissue to do its job. However, some medical conditions or damage can interfere with this system and cause fluid to build up. Improved circulation of the lymphatic system can help with conditions such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, stress, digestive problems, arthritis, and migraines. It is possible to perform this massage at home by using light pressure.

As you can see, massage therapy is an effective treatment with a long list of benefits, and it is especially great in conjunction with chiropractic care! When your muscles are relaxed and your body is free of interference, your body can utilize its natural ability to heal itself. If you have any further questions about massage therapy or chiropractic care, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!