Massage – Healing hands ease pain
Touch is a very important part of human contact. Massage uses touch to aid circulation and relax the muscles.
Massage is one of the oldest, simplest forms of therapy.
The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being. There are many health benefits to receiving massage therapy on a regular basis:
- Relieves stress
- Encourages relaxation
- Improves circulation
- Improves posture
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps manage pain
- Relaxes muscles
- Improves flexibility
- Improves breathing
- Relieves tension headaches
- Strengthens immune system
- Decreases depression
Massage treatments are provided by physiotherapists therefore health fund rebates apply depending upon your level of cover.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fibers of the muscles, tendons and fascia.
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually bands of painful, rigid tissue in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limit movement and cause inflammation. Deep Tissue Massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
At certain points during the massage, most people feel some discomfort. It is important to tell the massage therapist if the discomfort exceeds your comfort range. There usually is some stiffness after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or two. The massage therapist may recommend ways to manage this type of discomfort.
Soft Tissue Massage
A Soft Tissue Massage aims to alleviate aches, pains and injuries that are attributed to the body’s soft tissues. It is a specific type of massage which aids the relaxation of muscles, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, improves the healing time of strained ligaments and muscular tissue, reduces the inflammation of joints and heart rate, improves range of motion and joint flexibility, increases endorphins, strengthens the immune system, decreases spasms, improves oxygen flow and helps to relieve muscle tension.
Several different massage techniques are used, including Trigger Point release, Broad handed strokes and Friction. This type of massage also has a wide variety of mental benefits and can be very relaxing.
Sports Massage
Sports Massage was originally developed for athletes to assist in the preparation for an event or to recover after a big event. Sports Massage emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to the muscles and tendons. Luckily you don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from a Sports Massage, as this type of massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. The massage therapist generally concentrates on a specific problem area.
Sports Massage uses broad handed strokes that stimulate circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some sports massage movements use trigger point therapy to break down adhesions in the muscles.
