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Have you ever wanted to go for a massage therapy session but didn’t know what type of massage to get? Massage therapy is a very diverse field of work and there are many types of massage to choose from that range from full-body stress relief to highly targeted methods that relieve muscular pain and dysfunction. Five of the most popular types of massage are Swedish massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Sports Massage, and Neuromuscular Therapy.

1. Swedish Massage – this is the most common type of massage in the United States and perhaps the world. Swedish massage is known for its long gliding strokes, kneading strokes, friction strokes, and percussion as well as joint movements that feel great while improving range of motion. It’s most often thought of as a “spa” type of massage but it’s much more than that. Swedish massage is great for reducing stress, improving circulation, improving range of motion of your joints, and helping you actually feel better in your own skin. Swedish massage can range from light pressure to a heavier pressure depending on your comfort level. It’s more than just a “feel good” massage it is very therapeutic.

2. Deep Tissue Massage – right behind Swedish massage in popularity and availability, Deep Tissue Massage is one of the best known and most often requested types of massage. This massage shares some strokes and techniques with Swedish massage and is used to root out chronic tension in the deeper musculature and connective tissues that contribute to pain and loss of range of motion in joints. While some massage therapy practitioners use a heavier, sometimes uncomfortable pressure in Deep Tissue Massage it should be noted that a more moderate pressure can reach deep tissues and achieve great results with little discomfort.

3. Hot Stone Massage – this type of massage is probably the most relaxing and luxurious massage being given today. Heated basalt stones are added to the massage and are used by the massage therapist to perform a mini heat treatment as well as gliding massage strokes that seem to melt away stress and tension.

4. Sports Massage – just like it sounds, Sports Massage is geared toward athletes at every level from professional to the “weekend warrior” and those who strive for a higher level of fitness. Rather than a specific form of massage, Sports Massage is generally a combination of massage techniques tailored to the athlete’s needs. The Sports Massage might be applied to one area to relieve pain or might be more general in nature to assure overall performance.

The back is a well-designed body part that is made up of bones, muscles, nerves, and soft body tissues. It is a very important part of the human body because the bones of the back acts as a supporting frame for the back and the whole body. The back muscles work with abdominal muscles to keep the body upright and mobile. However, because of the stress of everyday life, many individuals tend to overwork or overuse their back muscles, which then leads to back pain. This condition may hamper performance and affect everyday. Common symptoms of back pain may include spasms, stiffness, pain, numbness, and sometimes pain in the leg area and depends on the cause of pain and its severity. Back pain is one the most frequent health complaints that are received by doctors in the United States. However, individuals experiencing back pain should not despair because of the availability of many methods and medication that may give back pain relief. One of the most popular alternative back pain treatments is the ancient Indian meditative exercise called yoga.

Not long ago, the primary treatment for chronic back pain was sufficient rest and the use of painkillers. Nowadays, doctors are encouraging their patients to manage pain and illness by engaging in activities like yoga. Many medical researches suggest that yoga is one of the most effective treatments for body pain. Yoga has gone from a spiritual discipline practiced by many in the Far East into a mainstream exercise routine that is taught in many fitness gyms around the world. Other than back pain relief, many medical researches also show that yoga helps strengthen one’s bones and muscles, reduce stress, and promote moments of relaxation. Yoga works by building strength, improving flexibility, and reducing joint and muscle pain.

Other proven benefits of yoga include:

Increases muscle strength, endurance, and stamina;
Develops muscles in the abdomen, legs, and arms;
Release of physical tension;
Helps maintain good and proper posture;
Serves as a good warm up for athletes; and
Improves an individual’s overall performance

However, not all forms of yoga can be used for back pain relief. When the back is injured or hurting, slow-paced and gentle stretches and poses should be practiced. Some yoga posses and stretches may aggravate back pain and lead to serious injuries. A type of yoga called Viniyoga is adapted from yoga that gives emphasis on precise deep breathing and slow stretches. Another type of yoga called Iyengar yoga, focuses on accurate bodily alignment. Students of this practice use different props like straps, blocks, blankets, and many more. This type of yoga works best with individuals who have little mobility and need some support.

Individuals who want to engage in physical activities like yoga should consult doctors and other health professionals before taking yoga classes. Certain injuries to the wrist, back, and ankles may prevent some individuals from practicing yoga postures and positions. Furthermore, yoga should be practiced with care and precaution. Some people have reported injuries that were acquired by executing yoga postures without focus, or by attempting difficult positions without working on them gradually or by not having proper supervision. Oftentimes, beginners complain of muscle soreness and fatigue after engaging in yoga. These effects may disappear with continuous practice. Yoga is a great way to strengthen the body and improve overall health.

The delightful benefits of massage don’t appear out of nowhere. The immediate soothing effects of massage and the long term health benefits of massage occur not from occasional backrubs from friends, but from the trained arms of certified massage therapists. Trained arms would be an understatement, because massage therapists actually use their entire upper body trunk to apply correct pressure – if they merely used their hands and arms, they would quickly tire, and the necessary pressure would not be applied. When looking for a massage therapist, there are a few things that must be understood in the search. First of all, it is important to understand who exactly a massage therapist is, and how to find one suitable for your needs. The next step, of course, is to understand what massage therapists do – what their job encompasses and the actual art that they practice. With this knowledge in hand, a wise decision that will lead to less stress and better use of muscles will be much easier to make.

A massage therapist is a health professional who is certified and licensed to practice a range of massage therapies to improve the wellbeing of his or her patient. The completion of a massage school, which is accredited by the state that it is located in, is necessary to legally practice massage within a recognized location. Thus, a massage therapist can be found working in such varied locations as hospitals and clinics, their own private or group practices, health spas and resorts, and large sporting events. The general program of study required for a massage therapist includes courses in neurology, anatomy, pathology, first aid, physiology, combined with practice in western and eastern massage theories. It is important to note that a massage therapist does not replace medical treatment by a doctor, but can very well supplement a physician’s prescribed treatment. Physicians often recommend seeing a massage therapist, and can refer their patients to an appropriate therapist.

However, a massage therapist’s services are certainly not confined to doctor referrals. A massage therapist’s office can be a great place for the prevention of maladies. Seeing a massage therapist on a normal basis, even for the healthy person (although in today’s social climates, stress has become a factor in virtually everyone’s life, and negatively affects health), decreases stress on muscles, and thus decreases stress on the mind. Massage therapy also acts positively on circulation, immediately aiding the capillaries, so near to the surface of the skin, to circulate blood, as well as acting on the muscles aiding veins bring blood back to the heart. A massage therapist assesses his or her patient, and designs a massage therapy program specific to the needs of the client. Seeing a massage therapist regularly can also lead to disease prevention in referring patients to see doctors when a condition out of the scope of a massage therapist arises.

The massage techniques used have been both subjected to the test of time and scientific study. Many techniques are quite ancient, and with modern study shining more light on their secrets, we are learning that their effects certainly are positive on the body. Massage therapy affects both the muscles being manipulated, as well as certain internal organs, via the pressure points in our hands and feet that influence those specific organs. The techniques used by massage therapists are very varied, from the traditional Swedish massage, which is known to be especially beneficial for the lymphatic system and the circulation of the blood in the veins, to the less conventional reflexology massage, which is the massage affecting our organs through manipulation of points on our hands and feet. Many other types of massage therapy exist, and it is wisest to both research the type that will be most beneficial for your specific need, as well as consulting with your massage therapist which therapy will be right for you. While every massage therapist will be trained in a variety of techniques, no one massage therapist will be a specialist in all of the types.

The job of the massage therapist is to reduce the mental and physical effects of stress, to improve the general wellbeing of their client, to restore health and to prevent future sicknesses and disease. These desired effects are achieved via the various techniques of massage therapy, which are wide and varied. While a massage therapist is not a physician, and does not pretend to be one, the regular visiting of a certified massage therapist can be very beneficial for the health, as well as an important supplement to many medical treatments. As information about massage therapy becomes more widely available, the medical community has begun to incorporate massage therapy into modern medicine. Massage therapists, who study the ancient art of muscle manipulation through rubbing, are making their permanent appearance in the modern setting of the medical community.