According to WHO, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. But, let's explore the role that massage therapy plays in an individuals health and well-being.

What is a Massage Therapist?

A massage therapist addresses the gentle tissues and joints of the body to enhance circulation, decrease aches from injuries, and help to improve a person's health. With their touch and manipulation of muscles and fascia, therapists relieve pain, rehabilitate injuries, decrease stress, amplify relaxation, and enhance the well-being of their clients.

Massage Therapists Typically Do the Following:

Essentially the function of a therapist can be summarized under the following:

• Talk with clients about symptoms, medical history, and preferred results.

• Evaluate clients to discover painful or worrying areas of the body

• Manipulate muscle tissue or different tender tissues of the body

• Provide clients with training on how to enhance posture, stretching, strengthening, and standard relaxation

Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and occasionally their feet to massage the muscle tissues and tender tissue of the body to deal with soreness and strains as well as promote wellness. A massage can be as quick as 30 minutes or up to 90 minutes typically.

When treating a client, they use lotions and oils, massage tables or chairs, and calming music.

Massage therapists can specialize in many special kinds of massage, known as modalities. Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage are simply a few examples of modalities. Most massage therapists specialize in various modalities, which require specific techniques and training such as the Trager Approach.

Usually, the kind of massage given relies on the client's desires and areas of concern. For example, therapist might also use a relaxation massage with a light touch versus a deeper massage or sports massage for athletes. Some varieties of massage are specialized for specific clients such as a prenatal massage for a pregnant woman.

What are the Skills a Massage Therapist Must Possess?

Massage therapy is a special discipline that typically draws in people who wish to help others feel like their best self and promote wellness and healing in their communities. Massage therapists must understand how to engage with clients in pain and understand their needs. Here are some of the capabilities massage therapists need:

• Communication skills: Massage therapists pay careful attention to their clients to recognize what they need from their massage session.

• Decision-making skills: Massage therapists need to consider every client's wishes and decide on a type of massage to use based on that person's needs.

• Empathy: Massage therapists need to help their client have a wonderful experience, which requires constructing a relationship between therapist and client.

• Physical stamina: Massage therapists need to be physically fit in order to keep up with client demand for their services. Some therapists will often complete 5-6 massage a day.

Common Techniques Adopted by Massage Therapists 

Massage therapy includes both long, gliding strokes and fast, percussive strokes. Certain massage therapists use oils and lotions, while others do not. Although some massage therapists do not ask clients to remove their garments before treatment, most do. A massage might last anywhere from 10 minutes to about 120 minutes.

Before determining which massage method is best for you, you must first ask yourself a question. Do you want to unwind with a massage? Do you need help with a specific health problem or with symptom relief? Inform the therapist of your intention for getting the massage and enquire about the therapist's style before arranging a massage. Many people use a range of different styles. Alternatively, the therapist can customize your massage to your age, condition, and any specific needs or goals you may have. These techniques include: 

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage treatment is the most prevalent form of massage technique. It involves gentle, lengthy kneading strokes and mild, rhythmic tapping strokes. The movement of the joints is also integrated with this. Swedish treatment may be both calming and energetic since it relieves muscular tension. It also aids with recovery.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is fantastic for relieving painful, stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage therapist makes use of slow, deliberate strokes that center of attention strain on layers of muscles, tendons, or different tissues deep underneath your skin. Though much less rhythmic than other sorts of massage, deep tissue massage might also be therapeutic -- relieving continual patterns of stress and supporting muscle injuries, such as a returned sprain.

Sports Massage

Sports massage was developed to assist with muscle structures used for a unique sport. Sports massage makes use of a range of processes to assist athletes in coaching -- before, during, or after sports activities events. You may use it to promote flexibility and assist stop injuries. Or, it can also assist muscle strains, assisting restoration after a sports activities injury.

Chair Massage

Ever long past to a county fair, track festival, or convention and envied people getting chair massages? Passed via the chair massage area in an airport? Or, possibly you are fortunate enough to work at a business enterprise that gives regular 15- to 20-minute massages. Onsite, chair massages are completed while you are seated and clothed in a portable designed chair. They generally include a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.

Shiatsu Massage

In Japanese, shiatsu is know as "finger pressure." The therapist uses varied rhythmic strain on certain specific body factors for shiatsu massage. These factors are known as acupressure points, and they are believed to be necessary for the glide of the body's vital energy, known as chi. Proponents say shiatsu massage can assist relieve blockages at these acupressure points.

Hot Stone Massage

For this variety of massage, the therapist places warmed stones on certain body areas, such as acupressure points. The stones may also be used as massage tools or left in place for concentrated warming. Using different massage techniques, warm stones can be pretty soothing and enjoyable as they transmit heat deep into the body.

Lymphatic  Massage

A lymphatic drainage massage is a mild pressure massage of your tissues designed to assist in increasing the circulation of lymph fluids in your body. Lymph is a protein-rich fluid that scoops up matters like bacteria, viruses, and waste and incorporates them into the lymph nodes. Lymphatics then filter the fluid to get the impurities out of your body. The massage is normally executed with gentle, lengthy strokes along the skin to expand the motion of lymph via your system.

A massage therapist offers a top-notch relaxation method and technique that helps relieve stress and promote health and wellness in a person's life. Our massage therapists at Mind Body Works Massage are ready to provide you with the relaxing massage or deep tissue massage you need for increased health and well-being!