Are your back muscles aching after being hunched over a desk for work all week? Are you experiencing pains in your neck or shoulders from sleeping? Maybe your leg muscles are feeling pinched and stiff from all those hikes in the mountains. Regardless of the reasons, our bodies do a lot for us on a dailybasis; unfortunately, this means that they can get rather worn down as a result
If you’re dealing with any form of muscle pain, you may want to consider booking a massage. After all, such a practice is designed to help ease any pain or lingering tension throughout your body so you can get back to moving freely and comfortably.
To book an appointment, contact our local business today. We’ll put you in touch with a massage therapist in SW Calgary who will be able to help you out.
What is a Massage?
A massage is a therapeutic practice that involves manipulating the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your body to reduce pain and stress. Massages aren’t exclusive to any one area of the body; however, typically, they’re applied to your hands (including your fingers), knees, forearms, feet, and back.
When you come in to receive a massage from a trained professional, they will exert a firm yet gentle pressure on your body to smooth out knots within your muscle tissues. It’s a slow, repetitive process that encourages blood flow and more physical fluidity.
Some of the main benefits of massage therapy are:
- Reduces stress, both physical and mental.
- Boost immune function.
- Increases relaxation.
- Reduces muscle tension alongside other aches and pains.
Massages are a great alternative treatment to consider, especially when you’re dealing with certain health conditions. Sessions are frequently recommended to cancer patients to help them manage their pain. It can also help ease the stress of other physical illnesses like heart disease and even stomach problems.
Often, the term massage therapy is used interchangeably with chiropractic treatment, but the two are not the same. When you visit a chiropractor near you, they’ll focus on repairing your musculoskeletal system, which refers to the relationship between your muscles and bones. Chiropractic care aims to help with mobility, while massages focus on lessening your pain.
Types of Massages
There are many different types of massages that can benefit you; it all depends on your treatment preferences and why you’re looking to receive a massage in the first place. Described below are some of the main types of massages available:
Swedish massage
This massage is done to your entire body. It’s a wonderful option if you’ve never had a massage before and you want it to be gentle. Swedish massages are especially great if you’re wanting to get rid of multiple knots that have formed in your muscles.
During your session, you’ll be asked to remove [most of] your clothes for easier access. Your therapy will perform an array of techniques including kneading, circular motions, incorporating vibrations, and using long strokes to encourage blood flow.
Hot stone massage
The primary purpose of this type of massage is to get you to fully relax. This is very similar to a Swedish massage but instead of the therapist using their hands to ease tension from your body, they’ll use hot stones. The stones are placed on various areas of your body.
Aromatherapy massage
As the name indicates, beautiful smells are incorporated into this type of treatment. For many people, breathing in fresh scents help them feel calmer and can be a great way to heal emotionally. Essential oils are applied to your skin and then your therapist performs gentle, pressure-exerting techniques to reduce anxiety and muscle pain. It can also help lessen symptoms of depression.
Deep tissue massage
This massage exerts much more pressure on your muscles to alleviate muscle tightness, soreness, and chronic pain. It is certainly more intense than a Swedish massage, but it is by no means painful.
Sports massage
If you opt to receive a sports massage near you, your therapist will employ repetitive actions on your body to increase your flexibility and overall athletic performance. In most cases, if you visit a sports massage therapist near you, it’s because you’ve experienced an injury from playing basketball, hockey, or soccer, for example.
Are you interested in booking a massage? At Calgary Spine & Sport, our team is here to help you out! No one deserves to live with muscle and body pain. If you’re dealing with such an issue, don’t hesitate to call or visit our website to select an appointment time that works for you.
We look forward to seeing you!