What is Therapeutic Massage?

What is therapeutic massage? A tremendously beneficial body treatment that involves a systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body.

These manipulations are stationary, and/or moving pressure, tension, or vibration implemented by hands, elbows, forearms, or mechanical aids.

The target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as, lymphatic vessels, and/or organs of the gastrointestinal system.

Massage therapy usually involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting upright in a massage chair, or lying on a pad on the floor. Except for modalities such as Reiki, Spiritual Massage, Tibetan Bowl Sound Massage and some other eastern modalities, the person is generally unclothed or partially unclothed. However, only the part of the body that massage therapist is working on at the moment is being exposed and the rest of the body draped by the towels or sheets.

Before the massage session, the therapist and the client should discuss what massage therapy goals are, such as general relaxation or muscle tension reduction, what parts of the body to be avoided and what parts of the body the therapist should concentrate on. Generally, the full body massage is 60 to 90 minutes.

During the massage, the communication between the therapist and the client is very important. The therapist should be able to adjust the amount of pressure that is comfortable to the client and be aware of the sensation of pain if felt.

What to expect after massage?

Most people feel very relaxed, possibly sleepy. After initial period of relaxation, most people feel renewed sense of wellbeing and increased energy.

Drinking increased amount of fluid is recommended to help the body flashed out toxins and metabolic waste being released by the muscles during massage.

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