Massage Therapy is one of the oldest healthcare practices known involving manipulating the soft tissues of the body, improving the flow of blood and lymph, reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, enhancing tissue healing and more by exercising manual (hands-on) techniques. Generally, the massage therapist applies fixed or movable pressure, holding, and stretching muscles and body tissues to release the tension or pain.
Ayurvedic Massage Therapy: Relieves Muscle Tension & Promotes Relaxation
Massage therapy treatment is therapeutic, non-invasive and improve overall health condition & enhance wellness. Ayurvedic Massage Therapy borrows principles and medicinal knowledge from the Ancient Indian Ayurveda and combining it with science of pressure points in human body . This form of Naturopathy treatment may be recommended for children and adults that can help with the following:
- Provides overall wellness
- Addresses postural distortions and misalignments
- Reduces stress, muscle tension, and stiffness
- Improves sleep, promoting deeper and easier breathing
- Helps depression and reducing anxiety
- Boosts the immune system
- Enhancing health and nourishment of skin
- Support the body’s natural healing process & soft tissue injuries
- Improving blood circulation and efficiency of movement of lymp
What are the Different Types of Massage?
The term “massage therapy” includes many techniques and is practiced differently in various Massage Therapy Centres. In Western countries like the USA, France, Italy the most common form of massage therapy practiced is referred to as Swedish or classical massage.
Swedish/Classical Massage
The Massage Therapy Centre in the USA uses a combination of:
- kneading
- long, gliding strokes towards the direction of the heart
- deep circular motions
- vibration and tapping
- passive joint movement techniques
- friction techniques on the superficial layers of extrinsic back muscles
to promote general relaxation, improve circulation and range of motion, and relieve muscle tension; lasting for 60–90 minutes.
Sports Massage
- Deep pressure as per the need
- Soothing strokes to increase circulation and stretch tight tissues
- Kneading movements
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic muscle pain, injury rehabilitation, low back pain, postural problems, neck pain, tennis elbow, muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, legs & upper back. Massage Therapists generally exercise more pressure than a Swedish massage to relieve tight muscles, chronic muscle pain, and anxiety. This treatment session lasts for 60–90 minutes.
- Slow deep strokes using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs targeting the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues
- Kneading & stroking with varying amounts of intense pressure
- Friction technique to release adhesions and realign tissue fibers
Note: We recommend avoiding this therapy if you’re overly sensitive to pressure. You may feel some stiffness or soreness after the massage but will subside within a day or so.
Acupressure Massage
Acupressure Massage is a common form of therapy to treat your health conditions naturally. Acupressure Massage helps restore balance by applying finger pressure to stimulate 12 major meridians that connect specific organs or networks of organs, organizing a system of communication throughout your body. acupressure to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting:
Headaches, Menstrual pain, Chronic Fatigue, Arthritis, Depression, and anxiety are some of the most common issues that benefit from acupressure. Though, it is recommended to visit the Acupressure Massage Therapist for best results.
Neuromuscular Massage
A Neuromuscular Massage is a form of deep massage best suited for people who have injuries or chronic pain, primarily to release trigger points. This type of massage is also referred to as trigger point massage. Specific trauma, repetitive movements or even bad posture are some of the causes. This type of massage can be an appropriate treatment including low and upper back pain, knee pain, jaw pain, Temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ disorders), headaches and more; lasting for 60–90 minutes
How effective is Ayurveda Massage Therapy?
Research and studies on the benefits of massage therapy confirm that it is one of an effective treatment to stave off pain and reduce stress and anxiety, muscle tension and improving digestive disorders. Though, many studies have discussed the risk involved in this form of naturopathic modality but fail to conclude any notable side effects.
What are the Risks of Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is quite safe and does not have notable side effects. However, there have been rare reports in which massage may not be appropriate:
- Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication
- Burns or healing wounds
- Bone Fractures
- Nerve injury
Thus it is recommended to discuss the pros and cons of massage with your therapist, especially if you are pregnant, cancer patient, dealing with advanced heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney failure, thrombosis, phlebitis.
Can massage help Cancer patients?
Studies state that this therapy can work as supportive care for cancer patients and counteract negative physical and emotional symptoms associated with cancer for all those who wish to try. Though there is no strong evidence stating that the practice can completely relieve pain and anxiety but has additional benefits attached to it.
- Changes mood and quality of life
- Ameliorates sleep patterns
- Lessens pain and relieves stress
Note: Tumor or treatment sites must not be massaged and recommended to talk to your doctor first.
Cancer Patient Massage Research
The major 2004 published American Study looked at the effects of massage therapy on 1,290 patients with cancer. Over the three year period, the treatment was continued and patient status for both i. or outpatient were analyzed and symptom scores were reduced by approximately 50%, The study concluded that the massage therapy sessions reduced pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
Here is the reference to the Research Paper by Cassileth BR and Vickers AJ on the topic Massage therapy for symptom control.
