Massage, Getting to Know the Types and Their Benefits for Health
Massage is a form of alternative therapy that is widely used to relieve the symptoms of certain diseases. This therapy can not only provide a relaxing effect, but is also effective for dealing with stress and relieving pain.
Massage is the activity of applying pressure to body parts, especially the skin, muscles and tendons, with certain techniques or methods. Massage therapy can be found in various places, from salons, spas, to traditional massage therapist services that can be called to your home.
You can even enjoy massage services using massage equipment or chairs at affordable prices in shopping centers.
Types of Massage Therapy
Massage can be done using various techniques. The following are several types of massage therapy that are known to be safe to do:
Deep tissue massage (deep tissue massage)
If the body feels stiff and painful, this type of massage therapy is suitable because the therapist will focus on applying pressure to the layers of muscles, tendons and other tissues below the surface of the skin. Additionally, deep tissue massage can also relieve muscle injuries, such as sprains.
Acupressure massage (acupressure massage)
This massage method is done by applying pressure to certain parts of the body or also called acupressure points. It is believed that applying pressure to this point can overcome blockages, improve blood flow, and restore energy balance in the body.
Apart from that, acupressure massage therapy can also relieve pain and relieve the side effects of chemotherapy.
Thai massage (Thai massage)
Different from massage therapy in general, Thai massage is carried out on a mat and requires the person being massaged to actively move around. This massage therapy uses pulling, stretching and movement techniques that resemble yoga.
Reflexology
The method of reflexology massage is quite popular among people. This massage technique generally focuses on certain points on the body, especially the hands and feet, which have millions of nerves and are connected to various organs in the body.
By massaging this area, it is believed that you can detect and overcome the health problems you are experiencing.
Hot stone massage (hot stone massage)
Hot stone massage is suitable if you often experience complaints of pain or tension in your muscles. This massage method uses warmed stones to improve blood flow in the body.
Not only that, the hot stone massage method can also relieve muscle tension and reduce the pain experienced.
Aromatherapy massage
Aromatherapy massage is actually similar to regular massage, only using aromatherapy when massaging. The massage will focus on the back, shoulders and head area, and generally lasts for 60–90 minutes.
In this massage method, you can choose the essential aroma that you like, so that you become more comfortable, calm and relaxed during the massage.
Apart from that, there are other conditions that can be helped by massage therapy, such as during pregnancy. Massage during pregnancy can relieve stress, swelling of the legs and arms, and muscle and joint pain.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Health
Apart from being a method of relaxation, massage therapy can also provide a variety of other health benefits. The following are the benefits of massage therapy:
1. Relieves headaches
Massage therapy can be useful for alleviating headache complaints, including migraines. Studies show that massage therapy can relieve pain symptoms and improve sleep quality in people who frequently experience headaches or migraines.
2. Relieve back pain
A study revealed that massage can treat the symptoms of chronic back pain. However, the benefits of massage therapy as a method of treating back pain still require further research.
3. Reduce joint pain
Pain and stiffness in the joints is a fairly common complaint. This condition can be caused by arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Studies show that massage therapy can be used as an adjunct therapy to relieve pain and improve joint movement in arthritis sufferers.
4. Reduce stress
Massage therapy is known to help the body increase four types of hormones that cause feelings of happiness, namely serotonin, dopamine, endorphin and oxytocin.
An increase in these hormones can certainly make the body more relaxed, so that the stress previously felt will be reduced.
5. Improve sleep quality
Regular massage has been proven to reduce levels of depression and anxiety and improve sleep quality. This is because massage can trigger the release of the hormone serotonin, a hormone that can cause a feeling of calm.
Research shows that massage therapy may benefit insomniacs who are menopausal or suffering from congestive heart failure.
6. Stimulates the formation of muscle tissue
Paralysis, stroke, muscle atrophy, or multiple sclerosis are some types of conditions that can cause muscle tissue to shrink. To stimulate the formation of shrunken muscle tissue again, massage therapy can be done as additional therapy.
Risks of Massage Therapy
Even though it has various health benefits, massage therapy can also carry risks, especially if it is not carried out by a professional therapist. The following are some of the risks:
- Fracture
- Nerve injury
- Blood clot
- The various risks above are more likely to occur in people with certain health conditions, such as:
- Osteoporosis
- Bleeding disorders or are taking blood thinning medication
- Burns or wounds that have not healed completely
- Infectious skin diseases, such as warts
- Nerve damage
- Therefore, if you have certain medical conditions, you should first consult a doctor before doing massage therapy.
- Some Tips for Undergoing Massage Therapy Safely
As previously mentioned, massage therapy can be riskier if performed by an untrained therapist. The following are some tips that you can do to minimize the risks of massage therapy:
Tell the therapist if you have certain conditions, such as being pregnant, suffering from an illness, or having a physical injury. Apart from that, also provide information about the history of any illnesses you have suffered from.
Make sure the therapist you use has a certificate or has gone through various training. You can also ask what guarantees can be given if certain side effects occur after a massage.
Tell the therapist why you want to get a massage. Is it just relaxation or to overcome certain complaints.
Let the therapist know if you have any specific areas of concern, for example if you want to relieve tension in your leg muscles.
Massage therapy can be done as a form of relaxation to release tension and stress. Apart from that, this therapy can also relieve pain. Even so, massage therapy cannot replace medical treatment, especially for complaints or pain that is quite severe. If your complaints do not improve or get worse after massage therapy, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.