Ahh! There’s nothing like a relaxing massage to soothe you on several different levels at once. The feeling of warm, strong hands kneading your muscles, soothing music playing softly in the background, perhaps
the calming aroma of lavender wafting up toward your nose. What a way to just let it all go!
But relaxing rubdowns are only the tip of the iceberg in the massage world. There are all kinds of massage, ranging from the kind that can put you to sleep to the kind that can make a trip to the dentist sound like a great alternative. The most popular kind is Swedish massage, also known as effleurage, which involves the gentle kneading and stroking of the skin and muscles. The therapist exerts extra pressure on tight, knotted muscles to break up tension and increase relaxation. A variation of Swedish massage includes the use of hot rocks (actually smooth, warmed stones), which are placed on the back in strategic areas to warm the muscles and make them more amenable to massage. Later in the massage, slightly cool rocks may be used for stimulation.
For those who want a massage that works on specific problem areas, there’s shiatsu, a Japanese form of therapeutic massage based on the same principles as acupuncture, but without needles. During a shiatsu session, the therapist applies pressure to various points on the body with the goal of releasing energy blockages. If your problem is severe and your therapist applies strong pressure, shiatsu can be a bit
painful. Be aware that the therapist will not necessarily press on your problem areas, but on certain acupressure points. As a result, energy that is blocked in those areas can be released, which should help areas “downstream” from the acupressure point to heal and regain balance.
Another massage method that uses targeted pressure is trigger point therapy, a highly focused technique in which the therapist applies strong pressure on specific “trigger points” on the body. A trigger
point is a painful spot in an overworked muscle that refers (sends) pain to other muscles. (That’s why an overworked muscle in your neck may be causing pain in your head.) Unlike shiatsu, trigger point
therapy usually exerts pressure right on the painful areas. For trigger point therapy to work, the therapist must really dig in and press hard and sustain that pressure for several seconds. This action flushes out
toxins, calms the nerves, and releases the tension in that area. As you can imagine, trigger point therapy hurts while it’s going on but feels great when it stops. When my neck and shoulder muscles tighten up,
sometimes the only thing that can release the tension is trigger point therapy. Often the results last for weeks.
For the really venturesome, there are more-strenuous forms of massage, including myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and Rolfing, all of which may involve some intense, painful probing into themuscles. Fingers, knuckles, and elbows may be used to release tension or loosen up the thin membrane called the fascia that covers the muscles and can become tight in response to stress, injury, or overuse.
Most massage therapists know several techniques, so you can work with your therapist to plan your own massage session. I prefer Swedish massage with occasional touches of shiatsu, but you may want something more vigorous or more focused to release chronic tension. Do whatever makes you feel the best. Just remember, you have alternatives, so ask your massage therapist about all of the possibilities.
the calming aroma of lavender wafting up toward your nose. What a way to just let it all go!
But relaxing rubdowns are only the tip of the iceberg in the massage world. There are all kinds of massage, ranging from the kind that can put you to sleep to the kind that can make a trip to the dentist sound like a great alternative. The most popular kind is Swedish massage, also known as effleurage, which involves the gentle kneading and stroking of the skin and muscles. The therapist exerts extra pressure on tight, knotted muscles to break up tension and increase relaxation. A variation of Swedish massage includes the use of hot rocks (actually smooth, warmed stones), which are placed on the back in strategic areas to warm the muscles and make them more amenable to massage. Later in the massage, slightly cool rocks may be used for stimulation.
For those who want a massage that works on specific problem areas, there’s shiatsu, a Japanese form of therapeutic massage based on the same principles as acupuncture, but without needles. During a shiatsu session, the therapist applies pressure to various points on the body with the goal of releasing energy blockages. If your problem is severe and your therapist applies strong pressure, shiatsu can be a bit
painful. Be aware that the therapist will not necessarily press on your problem areas, but on certain acupressure points. As a result, energy that is blocked in those areas can be released, which should help areas “downstream” from the acupressure point to heal and regain balance.
Another massage method that uses targeted pressure is trigger point therapy, a highly focused technique in which the therapist applies strong pressure on specific “trigger points” on the body. A trigger
point is a painful spot in an overworked muscle that refers (sends) pain to other muscles. (That’s why an overworked muscle in your neck may be causing pain in your head.) Unlike shiatsu, trigger point
therapy usually exerts pressure right on the painful areas. For trigger point therapy to work, the therapist must really dig in and press hard and sustain that pressure for several seconds. This action flushes out
toxins, calms the nerves, and releases the tension in that area. As you can imagine, trigger point therapy hurts while it’s going on but feels great when it stops. When my neck and shoulder muscles tighten up,
sometimes the only thing that can release the tension is trigger point therapy. Often the results last for weeks.
For the really venturesome, there are more-strenuous forms of massage, including myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and Rolfing, all of which may involve some intense, painful probing into themuscles. Fingers, knuckles, and elbows may be used to release tension or loosen up the thin membrane called the fascia that covers the muscles and can become tight in response to stress, injury, or overuse.
Most massage therapists know several techniques, so you can work with your therapist to plan your own massage session. I prefer Swedish massage with occasional touches of shiatsu, but you may want something more vigorous or more focused to release chronic tension. Do whatever makes you feel the best. Just remember, you have alternatives, so ask your massage therapist about all of the possibilities.
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