Massages not only help relieve you of your everyday worries and stresses but provide several physical health benefits as well. Different types of massages yield their own specific benefits that help with a variety of issues including:
- Anxiety
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Insomnia related to stress
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Soft tissue strains or injuries
- Sports injuries
- Temporomandibular joint pain
At Earthsavers, we employ several types of massages with different methods of targeting muscles and ligaments within the body.
Swedish Massage
The classic massage, commonly known as a Swedish massage, concentrates on the entire body, spurring positive effects both psychologically and physiologically. This full-body massage can be customized to your preferred pressure, from light to heavy, using five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage the body. Relaxation, stress relief, increased circulation and flexibility are common benefits of the Swedish massage.
Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Some medical practitioners state that full-body massages can raise your endorphin levels, which in turn reduce not only emotional stress levels but physiological stresses on the body. Heightened endorphin levels positively affect your brain, alleviating stress and helping you sleep better at night. A better night’s rest is scientifically proven to boost your immune system which keeps you healthier and more resistant to common diseases and illnesses.
Deep Tissue Massages
Deep tissue massages target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue within your body to relieve severe tension. Deep tissue massages are perfect for athletes involved in heavy physical activity where repetitive motions can create consistent pain. Like a Swedish massage, deep tissue massages stimulate blood flow in your muscles, releasing beneficial hormones and chemicals in your body like endorphins, serotonin, and oxytocin.
Relieving tension in various parts of your body can alleviate chronic problems such as back pain. People who get deep tissue massages often experience:
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced stress, muscle tension and anxiety
- Alleviated complications from scar tissue
- Reduced symptoms of arthritis
- Improved athletic performance
Hot Stone Massages
Hot stone massages may sound dangerous, but if administered by a professional massage therapist you can experience several benefits from the practice. Sanitized, smooth stones are heated in water to a temperature between 120 – 150 degrees and are strategically placed at specific points on your back to target particular problem areas.
With hot stones, no amount of pressure is needed to stimulate the muscles as heat from the stones does all the work, penetrating deep within the skin to underlying muscles and ligaments. Combining healthy massage oils with hot stone massages can maximize the benefits hot stone massages yield as soothing heat opens the pores within your skin, allowing you to absorb cleansing oils that will purge and cleanse your skin of toxins.
Like other massages, hot stone massages yield several psychological and physiological benefits including:
- Stress reduction
- Relaxed muscles
- Pain relief
- Increased blood flow circulation
- Release of bodily toxins
Are Massages Always Beneficial?
Experts agree that most types of massages have beneficial effects on you, your body and your quality of life. However, they caution that you only receive massages from licensed massage therapists. Receiving massages, such as hot stone massages, from unlicensed, unexperienced massage practitioners can result in severe injuries or exacerbate existing issues. It’s best to let licensed therapists handle your care as they know what parts of the body to target during a session to ensure you receive the best results with safety and care in mind.
While massages typically alleviate bodily issues, they can also exacerbate other issues of the body, damaging your health. Don’t get a massage if you have, or suffer from, the following conditions:
- Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication
- Burns or healing wounds
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Fractures
- Severe osteoporosis
- Severe thrombocytopenia
However, professionals agree that massage, no matter which one you choose to receive, offer several physiological and psychological benefits when administered by licensed massage specialists. Contact Earthsavers today to schedule an appointment!
