Massage promotes relaxation, making it a great method for reducing a variety of pain conditions, from those caused by surgery or injury to chronic problems. Research has shown, for example, that massage therapy can help those who suffer from the common problem of low back pain.
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This type of massage can help:
- boost your mood.
- reduce stress and anxiety.
- reduce symptoms of depression.
- relieve muscle tension.
- relieve pain.
What should I expect from a massage therapist?
Massage therapists want to help you. If you’re wincing under the pressure and tightening up, that will work against the goals of massage, which is to invite your body to relax, reduce pain, increase well-being, and have long, supple muscles. Massage therapists aren’t in the torture business. Let your therapist know what feels good and what doesn’t.
Is massage right for You?
Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being. See if it's right for you. Massage used to be available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs.
What are some examples of people who use massages?
Some obvious examples are professional athletes or dancers. But even people who work on computers all day long can counteract potentially serious trouble with hands, shoulders, neck and back through regular massage sessions. One of my personal favorites is getting a neck and shoulders massage from my co-rider during a long distance motorbike trip.
Do massage therapists work with all types of bodies?
Rest assured, massage therapists work with all kinds of bodies, from the very young to the very old and all shapes and sizes in between. Massage therapists are a very caring and giving group. To be successful at what they do, they have to be.
What makes a good massage treatment?
What makes a good massage good? Interoception, proprioception, and touchThe sense of touch. ... Going beyond the rules. ... First impressions. ... Going further. ... Speed of movement. ... The brain is in the body. ... Protective mechanisms can be negative. ... Beyond treatment.
How do massages attract customers?
10 Ways to Gain New Massage ClientsVolunteer at Athletic Events. ... Get Involved with Local Groups. ... T-Shirt with your Business Card Info. ... Get Listed in Online Mapping Services. ... Ask for Referrals from Current and Past Clients. ... Social Media and Email Marketing. ... Create an Opening Offer they Can't Refuse.More items...•
Why do people choose massage therapy?
Massage therapy speeds up the healing process, improves circulation, and can even restore emotional balance. Massage makes people feel good, so your patients will look forward to their appointments and see you, which will make a huge impact on how you feel going to work each day.
What do I like about massage therapy?
Massage therapy is a rewarding career that enables you to relax and heal your clients. Clients may come to you because they need to unwind and relax, or they may be experiencing muscle tenderness and soreness. Becoming a massage therapist allows you to help your clients live a happy and healthy lifestyle.
How do I make my massage business stand out?
Massage Marketing: 6 Strategies to Stand OutEstablish your unique brand and target your ideal clientele. ... Website, branding and copy should speak to your demographic. ... Implement digital SEO for your website to boost traffic. ... Be active on social media to establish and expand your online community. ... ClassPass provides exposure.More items...
How can I promote my massage therapy?
Massage Marketing Tips1) Send Out Post Cards. Whether you offer mobile massage or your customers come to you, proximity is key. ... 2) Host an Open House. ... 3) Start a Loyalty Rewards Program. ... 4) Offer Package Deals. ... 5) Take Appointments Online. ... 6) Publish a Blog. ... 7) Find Your Niche. ... 8) Go Mobile.More items...•
What are 5 benefits of massage?
Top 5 Health Benefits of Regular Massage TherapyLower stress. The long-term effects of stress can take emotional and physical tolls. ... Increase immune function. ... Boost mental health and wellness. ... Manage pain. ... Improve physical fitness.
What is the purpose of a massage?
Promotes Muscle Relaxation: The purpose of massage therapy is to target the source of the body's pain via eliminating tense muscles, increasing flexibility, and providing relaxation to the affected muscles as well as the body as a whole.
Why do you like massage?
As soon as your skin's nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which boost your mood and give you a natural high. As a result, stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline begin to decrease and the overall effect is one of euphoria and bliss.
How do I build a successful massage business?
5 Tips on Building a Successful Massage BusinessPromote Yourself as an Expert. ... Network with Other Local Businesses and Health Care Providers. ... Create a Website for Your Practice. ... Consider Accepting Insurance. ... Offer Complimentary Massage Sessions for New Clients.
What are the pros and cons of massage?
What are the Pros and Cons of Becoming a Registered Massage Therapist?Earn what you're worth. ... Work right away. ... Enjoy a flexible schedule. ... Choose your work environment. ... Travel. ... It can be hard on your body. ... Your hours are limited. ... You may encounter a difficult work environment.More items...•
Do massage therapists like their clients?
Most of the time massage therapists love their career and love working with their clients, but like any other job, massage therapy comes with unique challenges and risks. Some of those risks entail bodily injury because LMT's work with clients who may be seeking therapy due to injuries or strains.
What You Can Expect During A Massage
You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any sympto...
Finding A Massage Therapist
Ask your doctor or someone else you trust for a recommendation. Most states regulate massage therapists through licensing, registration or certific...
The Take-Home Message About Massage
Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to hel...
What is the most common form of massage therapy?
The most common form of massage therapy in Western countries is called Swedish or classical massage; it is the core of most massage training programs. Other styles include sports massage, clinical massage to accomplish specific goals such as releasing muscle spasms, and massage traditions derived from Eastern cultures, such as Shiatsu and Tuina.
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is used to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. It involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Massage has been practiced in most cultures, both Eastern and Western, throughout human history, and was one of the earliest tools that people used to try to relieve pain.
Is massage good for back pain?
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in a 2016 evaluation of nondrug therapies for low-back pain, examined 20 studies that compared massage to usual care or other interventions and found that there was evidence that massage was helpful for chronic low-back pain but the strength of the evidence was low.
Can massage therapy help with ankle sprains?
If massage can be helpful as a component of a nondrug approach to pain management in veterans. If massage therapy can target sensory pathways that can help people with ankle sprains avoid chronic ankle instability (which can affect as many as 40 percent of people who experience this type of injury).
Can you use massage therapy to postpone seeing a health care provider?
Don’t use massage therapy to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem. If you’re unsure whether massage therapy would be appropriate for you, discuss your concerns with your health care provider, who may also be able to help you select a massage therapist.
Is massage good for HIV?
More recently, a 2013 study of 54 people indicated that massage may be helpful for depression in people with HIV, and a 2017 study of 29 people with HIV suggested that massage may be helpful for anxiety.
Do massage therapists work with cancer patients?
Massage therapists may need to modify their usual techniques when working with cancer patients; for example, they may have to use less pressure than usual in areas that are sensitive because of cancer or cancer treatments. For more information, see NCCIH’s fact sheet on cancer.
Why do people go to massage therapists?
And for us as providers it is important to understand all those reasons, because they may require different interactions with our clients. 1. Relaxation. This first reason comes to mind for most of us.
How can a massage therapist add new skills to their repertoire?
Even the best massage therapists can add new skills to their repertoire by experiencing sessions from other qualified professionals, or learn new ways or modifications that can help them in their work.
How does massage affect your energy?
Massage can feel truly heavenly. A good session can change your energy in such a way that you feel like walking on clouds afterwards. Some non-physical symptoms can be that your mind clears up, your thoughts turn positive, your happiness level increases, and you feel light and energized.
How do spas make money?
That’s how most spas make their money. They cater to people who love some luxury and indulgence in a beautiful and relaxing environment. 2. Stress relief. At this point there is a problem to deal with – stress. Massage can be one of the best ways to relieve this.
What is the best way to let go of cultural indoctrination?
12. Letting go. For many people, especially in cultures where touching is severely restricted, massage can be their only way to allow themselves to be touched, to drop their cultural indoctrination for a while and to just let go.
Where is foot massage done?
Foot massage is often done in very public places like busy markets or at a mall entrance.
Can massage therapy cure anything?
I know – massage therapists cannot claim to cure anything. But often regular massage treatments can have a very beneficial effect on some serious and chronic diseases. I have met many massage clients who can attest to this fact.
What is massage therapy?
Performed by a licensed massage therapist, massage therapy involves using different pressures, movements and techniques to manipulate muscles and other soft tissues in the body.
Who should try massage therapy?
Many of us can benefit from a massage — it’s a great way to improve wellness, help with pain and more. If you have a medical condition, you should check with your doctor and have a conversation with your massage therapist. For those who are pregnant, a prenatal massage can help alleviate pain and swelling.
How does massage help with muscle recovery?
Massage for muscle injury recovery: Many people use massage therapy to address muscle injuries and speed up recovery times. Research into the potential of massage therapy to promote muscle healing has yielded some promising results. A team at The Ohio State University studied a group of rabbits that received mechanical massages after over-exercising and damaging their leg muscles. These researchers found massage therapy immediately after muscle damage had the greatest positive effect on muscle torque (strength) and edema (swelling). Massage also reduced the rabbits’ immune cell count in these muscles as well as their rate of inflammation.
Does massage help with musculoskeletal pain?
Massage for pain relief: A researcher at South Carolina’s Crocker Institute found massage had immediate positive effects on people with musculoskeletal pain. After only one hour-long massage session, 116 first-time clients felt reduced physical pain. They also reported a relief in negative emotions surrounding the pain.
Does massage help with stress?
Massage for stress reduction: A team of researchers from Australia’s Orygen Research Centre found people who received daily massage therapy along with standard treatments for anxiety had more positive results than those who only received standard care. Study participants who received massages reported lower levels of anxiety, hostility, and depression than those in the other group. The research team also observed lower heart rates and cortisol levels in the massage group than in the control group.
Why do my muscles get sore after a massage?
Your muscles can get a little sore after a massage for the same reason they do after a stellar exercise session: They’re being worked pretty hard! You wouldn’t ignore tight or painful muscles after a long run, so you shouldn’t after an intense rubdown either.
How to get rid of body insecurities?
"Also, being and feeling clean can help mitigate body insecurities if they come into play.
Why is it important to breathe deeply after a rubdown?
“It’s crucial that you breathe fully and deeply when difficult areas are being worked on so as to oxygenate your blood supply and aid tense muscles ,” says Cain. It's especially important to hydrate post-massage.
Can a massage therapist read your mind?
While they’re trained to help your body, massage therapists can’t read your mind, so it’s best to tell the receptionist if you have any preference of therapists, pressure, or massage types when you book your appointment.
Is it better to rub down every few years or every few years?
One Rubdown Every Few Years Isn't Going to Do Much. When it comes to massage, “less is more” definitely does not apply. While one massage can certainly help, it packs the greatest benefits over time. “Massage therapy should be considered part of a long-term wellness routine," says Johnson.
Is a rubdown good for you?
We got the inside scoop on how to have the best rubdown ever. It’s no surprise that a massage can seriously soothe your mind and body, and you already know a solid rubdown has impressive health perks, like better blood circulation, amped immunity, anxiety relief, and even improved sleep quality. But beyond the obvious, there’s a lot ...
Why do massage therapists work?
Massage therapists want to help you. If you’re wincing under the pressure and tightening up, that will work against the goals of massage, which is to invite your body to relax, reduce pain, increase well-being, and have long, supple muscles. Massage therapists aren’t in the torture business.
What is the misconception about massage?
This is a common misconception about massage. Delivering an effective massage is about technique over muscle. If it were all about muscle, massage therapists everywhere would be exhausted by noon and wouldn’t come back to work tomorrow.
Do therapists take credit cards?
Therapists typically sell their talents in one-hour increments and might be willing to fill the spot so they don’t have a hole in their workday. Many therapists take credit cards and some will take postdated checks or a series of postdated checks to work out a payment plan.
Can a therapist use lotion?
Therapists won’t be able to use lotion and may be unable to work as deeply, but they can adapt to your comfort level and still deliver a satisfying massage experience. People who are self-conscious about their bodies might get massage more often, and with less apprehension, if they had the added underwear barrier.
Can you wear underwear to get a massage?
No, you don’t have to take off more clothes than you are comfortable with to receive massage. Talk to your therapist and they will adapt to your needs. Be aware that wearing more clothes can interfere with the use of certain techniques, but there’s no reason you can’t enjoy receiving massage in casual clothes. Therapists won’t be able to use lotion and may be unable to work as deeply, but they can adapt to your comfort level and still deliver a satisfying massage experience.
Do therapists work like cookie cutters?
Professional therapists don’t work like cookie cutters, doing the same thing repeatedly and going to the same depth with every client, every time. We treat grandmothers with osteoporosis with much less pressure than a young athlete who prefers deep connective tissue work.
Can you withhold your consent for a massage?
It’s your massage, so you can withhold your consent for a particular area to be treated at any time and still receive a massage. Be sure to tell your therapist beforehand about any sensitive or particularly ticklish areas of your body so they can accommodate you more effectively.
What to do if you ask for a happy ending?
Take a deep breath and relax. But on a related note, if you ask for a happy ending—even as a joke—we won’t be rebooking you. You don’t walk up to a pharmacist and ask for cocaine. We are professional health care providers. Act accordingly. A shower before your massage is a good idea.
Is a therapeutic massage like a back rub?
A therapeutic massage is not like a back rub from a friend. There are some conditions where we’ll have to modify how we work—or possibly postpone treatment. Your body is amazing. No, really. We are so much in our heads and online and just busy being busy, that we forget to be connected to what’s going on in our bodies.
Is massage good for you?
It improves your digestion. Your stomach might get noisy and you might fart. It’s a good thing. Don’t worry about it . It’s a sign that the massage is doing what it’s supposed to do. Same goes for falling asleep. To me, that’s a pretty big compliment if someone feels relaxed and safe enough to doze off on my table.
Is massage therapy mainstream?
Massage therapy has become pretty mainstream in the U.S., but there are still many people who are nervous about it. Will I feel weird being naked? What will the therapist do? What if I fall asleep and drool? Will it hurt?
