Massage therapy works. Technically, we don’t really know how yet or why, but we know it works to soothe the nervous system which is the boss of muscle tightness, muscle pain and stress along with many other things.
The research we do have shows that massage works for these conditions:
- Reduces stress, anxiety and depression
- Reduces Pain especially neck/back pain and headaches
- Increases relaxation response and increases well-being
- Increases movement and function of joints and muscles
- Helps reduce headaches
- Aids in healing scar tissue in tendonitis and ligament injuries and also burn scars
- Improving sleep
- Improving overall well being
Massage Therapy can help with some of these conditions:
- Autism
- ADD, ADHD
- Massage for Back Pain – spasms, herniated discs, pulled muscles, trauma, sciatica
- Neck Pain – spasms, whiplash, “crick in the neck”, herniated discs
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – numbness and pain in arms and hands caused by compression in the shoulder area of nerves due to tight muscles
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – weak or pain in hands, wrists and forerms usually due to repetitive motions such as computer work.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries (Shoulder injuries)
- Headaches – tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches
- Fibromyalgia – helps with pain and stress and assists in the healing process
- Foot Pain or Plantar Fasciaitis
- Knee Pain
- Iliotibial band pain
- Massage for Cancer – helps with the stress and pain of the healing process
- Hip Pain
- Arthritis – Helps to relieve the pressure on the joints to keep them moving and can help prevent arthritis
- Jaw Pain/Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction
- Digestive disorders
- Pelvic Floor disorders
- Pregnancy Massage to help relieve some of the side effects of being pregnant and relieve pregnancy related conditions such as back pain and sciatica.
- Infant Massage – helps with growth of premature babies and in parent/child bonding
- Depression and anxiety
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorders
- Massage for Sleep Disorders
- Recovery from Surgeries such as herniated discs, knee surgery, neck surgery or surgery to repair injuries
- Stress – reduces blood pressure, relieves tension, reduces stress that can affect the immune system as well as mental, emotional and spiritual health
- Relieves Knots or Triggerpoints which cause pain
- Attachment disorders in infants, children and adults
- Massage for Dementia
How to find and choose the best massage therapist for you. What makes for a Great Massage? What type of massage to get?