Types of Massage Therapy

Temecula massage therapist is used to relax and reduce stress, but it is also a part of certain medical treatment plans. It reduces pain, swelling and fatigue and boosts immune functions.

Trigger point (tight muscles), which can cause nausea, may be the cause of nausea in some patients. Your Massage Hope therapist can work with you to decrease this discomfort.

Swedish

Swedish massages are a traditional therapeutic practice which uses long gliding movements and friction to improve blood circulation, release tension and induce relaxation. It is considered one of most common forms of massage therapy, especially in the United States. It usually happens to be the first kind of massage a person gets when they're a brand new client.

Effleurage resembles kneading of dough and is the first stroke used in Swedish massage. Petrissage is an ancient technique that involves rolling and lifting the flesh underneath the hands. The friction stroke is the deepest of all massage strokes. It includes rubbing tissues with thumbs and fingers, knuckles or the back of your hand. Tapotement involves rhythmic shaking of the hands to relax muscles. A 2016 study found that a Swedish massage reduced levels of cortisol in volunteers.

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage addresses deep muscles and connective tissues to relieve pain and tension, reduce inflammation, improve flexibility, and promote overall well-being. This type of massage can be uncomfortable and painful for some clients, but a good therapist can make it a powerful tool to reduce inflammation.

It's important to let your therapist know how comfortable you are. The pressure and technique used in a therapy session can be modified to meet your individual needs.

This type of massage is not recommended if you have osteoporosis, or cancer that has spread into the bones. The firm pressure can cause a fracture. It is also not recommended to receive this type massage if you have blood-clots (DVT). This could cause a clot.

Sports

Sports massage involves the manipulation and stretching of soft tissue, including muscles, tendons and ligaments. Fascia, the connective tissue surrounding and lining muscles, is also involved. It is used for improving athletic performance, assisting in recovery after exercise and competition, and treating injuries.

It is usually performed either before an event, to warm up muscles, or after an activity to increase blood flow and reduce the lactic acid buildup which causes muscle soreness. Studies show that it also enhances mood and increases range of motion.

Sports massage is used by both professional and amateur athletes to stay fit and heal injuries. A licensed massage practitioner may specialize in sports massage, or they may offer it as part of their practice. A growing body of research is being conducted on the benefits of sports massage. Research designs include case-series studies, randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized historical cohort comparisons.

Prenatal

Pregnancy massage addresses the unique challenges of women from the second to the last trimester of pregnancy. The increased weight and shifting centre of gravity puts strain on many muscles and tendons. Prenatal massage reduces tensions and pains, and also helps to ease emotional stress.

Prenatal Massage is usually adapted by traditional Swedish massage. Most pregnant clients are positioned on their side or propped with pillows. This is because lying on the stomach can put pressure on major vessels, which can cause contractions. This allows the therapist to comfortably work with the larger belly.

Myofascial Release

The slow pressure applied by myofascial therapy causes fascia and soft tissue to return to their original state. This reduces tension and relieves pain. This technique is used along with other therapies in order to reduce chronic muscular pain and improve movement.

Myofascial release can be done using bare skin or with massage cream. The therapist strokes the fascial layer with fingers, a loose hand or forearm, moving slowly in order to minimize the activation of the stretching reflex.

Myofascial released is often included into massage therapy, but can also be found in chiropractic and traditional medical centers. Massage these tender spots daily to relieve myofascial and prevent stiffness. To help relieve tension and locate tender areas, a foam ball or massage roller can be purchased.