My twice a month treat for a relaxing $20 Swedish massage is one “vice” that would be hard to give up. When you get used to it, your body will start to crave for the soft or hard soothing pressures on the different parts of your body, and unwind as you feel the tension and stress ebb away with each stroke.
Drifting in and out of a cozy drowsiness in a dim room and inhaling the smell of plumeria and massage oils is a heady experience that many make a regular habit of.
Nothing beats the bliss of having your body points pressed, rubbed and your muscles manipulated with different strokes — from your toes to the top of your head.
Unwinding and relaxing is not the only thing that you can get from a massage. There are benefits as well as risks that you should watch out for when you go for a massage therapy.
Getting a massage nowadays is like stopping by for a cup of coffee. You can get a head, foot or shoulder massage while waiting for an appointment, at the airport or other places, or a full body massage in a lot of places like upscale health clubs or luxury spas, or some middle class massage parlor.
Massage ranges from light stroking to deep pressure point techniques, depending on the type you want.
There are different types of massage but the most common is Swedish, where the masseuse uses long kneading strokes in deep circular movements in your feet and legs, back and arms.
The deep-tissue massage involves slower but forceful strokes, targeting the deeper layers of your muscles. The sports massage is somewhat similar to the Swedish massage but is more to treat or prevent injuries for people who are active in sports. The fourth most common type of massage is the trigger point massage which centers only on the sensitive areas where muscle fiber forms after stress or injuries.
Benefits of massage
According to the Mayo Clinic, “massage is considered as part of alternative medicine that is increasingly offered along with standard treatment for different medical conditions and situations.”
Among the most common benefits of massage includes relief for stress, helps manage anxiety and depression, and ease pain and stiffness.
Massage is also found to be good for blood pressure control, sports-related injuries, infant growth, boost immunity and for cancer treatment.
But the Mayo Clinic says that despite its benefits, any massage should not be used to replace medical care. You still have to follow your treatment procedures and inform your physician that you are going for massage.
Risks
Not everything is soothing and relaxing about getting a massage. Some risks are also involved, risks that you should watch out for. The Mayo Clinic says that massage, in general is safe as long as it is being done by a licensed or certified massage therapist.
If you have special medical conditions, you must talk to your doctor if it is okay to go for a massage. Medical situations include unexplained pain or other symptoms, open wounds and burns, blood clots, cancer, fractures, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis and severe osteoporosis.
Going for a massage should make you feel relaxed and comfortable but if you can hardly get up and feel sore the next day, don’t take it for granted. Some individuals like just soft pressure massage but others like it hard. If you feel uncomfortable or feel any pain, speak up immediately.
However, in rare circumstances, feeling pain the next day could mean some problems like allergic reactions to massage oils, internal bleeding or nerve damage.
Whatever type of massage you go for, it should make you feel refreshed and relaxed afterward. Any other pain should be a red light you have to watch out for.
