Massage Therapy - Benefits and Considerations For an Athlete

Most of us will probably believe that a massage is a luxury reserved only for special times in our lives like birthdays or anniversaries. As a matter of fact, it is not only an indulgence but also a way of keeping our mind and body healthy. There are a lot of reasons people get a massage. It can either be for medical reasons to alleviate pain or just simply to be more relaxed and rejuvenated. Massage therapies like the hot stone massage therapy offers many therapeutic effects. It also gives your body an instant boost of energy.

Massage therapies is a soothing practice for the mind, body and soul that is why it is able to relieve the stress. It also has physical conditioning effects that are a great help for a professional athlete. For instance, after doing a tough workout in the gym, a massage can release the spasms which slow down blood flow. This will usually cause the inflammation, pain and dysfunction. With a massage, it will slowly improve blood circulation by allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients to vital organs and tissues. Over straining is prevented by the relaxation of the tension and sedation of the nervous system allowing muscles to work more effectively.

A massage can also reduce the recovery time needed for strenuous workouts by helping in the elimination of toxins. By improving blood circulation and increasing intake of water, these toxins can be cleared out of the body. This will maximize blood flow improving the general nutrition of the muscles for optimal performance.

Energy and vitality is also increased through a massage. It can facilitate the muscle-building response of the body at the same time improving the range of flexibility and motion. Muscles are elongated and its proficiency is increased.

Although there are many benefits you can acquire physically from a massage therapy, you have to keep in mind some of these important points.

• Remember that you will not acquire the full benefits of a massage therapy if you only have one session. It will take several treatment sessions before you achieve the expected physical effects such as releasing spasms and tightness.

• You may want to focus on specific areas because of the demand it receives but do not forget this is a holistic approach. Do not overlook other parts of your body to avoid future pains and aches.

• It is also better to ask advice from your doctor and your therapist. It is much better to have a collaborative treatment plan with professionals so you will be sure of the proper treatment plan.

• Do not hesitate to speak up when you feel uncomfortable or pain in the massage therapy session. For instance, if the rock used in the hot stone therapy is too warm, inform your masseuse immediately.

After keeping in mind all these considerations and benefits, it is now time to book your first massage session. Check the credentials of the massage therapist to make sure you have quality bodywork. In your first visit, it is important that massage therapist take a history of your specific problem areas and goals. Then, together with your doctor and therapist, you can now set the best schedule to maximize your goals.

To find a quality hot stone for treating neck, back, and other injuries, visit us at http://www.tirmassagestone.com today.

6 Most Popular Massage Therapies

Massage therapy is a practice of manipulating muscles and other tissues of the body which results in functional, physical and sometimes psychological goals and purposes. This type of therapy can be dated back thousand of years. It is sometimes a part of conventional treatments and in some instances involved in complementary and alternative medicine.

Many people use massage therapy for numerous health-related purposes. For instance a hot stone therapy utilizes heated stones to relieve muscle tension. Massage therapy involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table or sitting on a chair. He may either be partially or fully unclothed. There appear to be only a few risks to this kind of therapy if it is properly used by a trained professional. It is a diverse field and offers different types of massage. To help you figure out what kind is right for you, here is a guideline on the most popular types of massage therapy.

1. Aromatherapy massage
This is the art and science of using essential oils in enhancing the body, mind and spirit's overall well-being. It draws on the healing power of the plant world which contains medicinal and aromatic characteristics. The essential oils used are chemically complex and have their own distinct therapeutic qualities. It involves the use of slow, gentle, and rhythmic movements. It helps the muscles melt into deep relaxation.

2. The Swedish massage therapy
This is the most common type of massage practiced in the US. It is typically used for relaxation, stress relief and to ease muscle tension. Long smooth strokes and kneading are used by a massage therapist on the superficial layers of muscle.

3. Deep Tissue Massage
This massage targets the deeper layers of the connective tissues and muscle. Slower strokes or friction techniques are used by the massage therapist to relieve tension in chronically tight or painful muscles.

4. Reflexology
Foot reflexology is a non-invasive method to bring balance to the body. Although this is called foot massage, it is more than that. It involves the application of a specific type of pressure on particular areas of the feet which corresponds to the different parts of the body.

5. Stone massage
This is an ancient healing process. This involves placing a smooth, hot stone on certain points of the body to loosen or warm muscles and balance energy centers inside the body.

6. Shiatsu
Shiatsu is Japanese hands-on therapy that uses localized finger pressure in a rhythmical series on specific points all throughout the body. Each point is held for 2-8 seconds improving the flow of energy and helps the body to regain balance.

These are only some of the types of massage therapy you can consider trying out. Massage fills many different needs, depending on the person who seeks it. For some it may be relief from a stressful life. For others, it may mean rehabilitation or treatment of a specific illness. Either way, massage offers therapeutic and relaxing effects. If you have never experienced a massage before, then this is the time you try one. It will certainly provide you with relaxation and relief from the stress of your job and your life.

To find a quality hot stone for treating neck, back, and other injuries, visit us at http://www.tirmassagestone.com today.