A recent study found that women who received a health therapy massage had significant reductions in anxiety, stress, and depression. They also reported significantly lower blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and salivary cortisol levels after a ten to fifteen-minute massage. While the first step to treating depression is psychotherapy, which involves talking to a mental health professional, massage therapy has shown great promise in alleviating symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), as well as generalized anxiety disorder.
Aromatherapy is one type of health therapy massage that uses essential oils. The oils stimulate the entire body while creating an emotional aspect to the experience. Aromatherapy massage is often used for a calming effect, so many therapists use lavender as one of the essential oils. Another type of massage is a trigger-point therapy, which is known to improve pain by relaxing the body and mind. While aromatherapy massage is known to reduce stress, it is not a treatment for a strained or injured muscle.
One popular type of health therapy massage involves the use of a Swiss therapeutic cushion. This cushion is used for specific stretches. Clients lie on the cushion like they are floating in water, while the massage therapist rocks the body in several different directions. The rhythmic motion induces deep relaxation and trust. The rocking motion causes the just-stretched muscles to get reprogrammed and builds up the muscles in the joints. The treatment typically lasts 30 to 40 minutes.
Another type of health therapy massage is prenatal massage. This technique is specifically designed for expectant mothers and incorporates Swedish and Oriental massage techniques with empathic care. This technique can relieve pregnancy-induced stress and oedema in pregnant women. The benefits of prenatal massage range from alleviating headaches and muscle tension to aiding digestion and improving sleep. A prenatal massage may also alleviate fatigue. In addition to helping pregnant women relieve their symptoms of stress, a prenatal massage can also be helpful for a mother-to-be’s emotional well-being.
Another technique that promotes relaxation and emotional well-being is the self-massaging technique called Do-In, which was developed by Japanese therapist Michio Kushi several years ago. The system began when Chinese Taoist monks noticed the natural instinct to touch injured body parts and developed the Tao-Yinn system. Since then, the Do-In technique has become widely used and is now available for both general health and specific physical issues.
Aside from massage, there are also several types of bodywork. Bodywork, as the term indicates, includes various forms of touch therapy. These may involve massage, movement, or repatterning of the body to release stress and tension. A holistic approach to bodywork also aims to reduce the occurrence of chronic pain. In summary, bodywork is a type of health therapy. However, it can also include acupuncture. Somatic therapies and shiatsu are two popular forms of bodywork.
Different massage techniques are used in different styles. Swedish massage is a classic example, with a wide range of strokes. Its effleurage technique is a sweeping stroke, while petrissage involves kneading muscles with fast movements. While these techniques are often relaxing, they may not be for everyone. The goal of a deep-tissue massage is to reduce muscle tension and promote healing. But how can a massage be effective?
Sports and exercise-related injuries can lead to stiff muscles and pain, so a massage is essential to prevent injury and maintain peak performance. Sports massage incorporates different massage techniques to prepare athletes for performance and prevent injury. It is known to relieve tension and pain, and can even reduce anxiety. Foot massages are another popular type of health therapy massage. The feet are a symbol of the organs within the body, and this massage technique focuses on the foot.
Another type of health therapy massage is rebalancing. This massage technique focuses on balancing the client’s energy fields. It helps the client find balance in their bodies by focusing on various chakras, joints, and emotional centers. This type of massage can reduce pain and enhance range of motion. A good health therapy massage should be tailored to a person’s needs. If you suffer from chronic pain, you should consider rebalancing.