What Problems Can Be Solved Through Massage

More and more people want to try alternative treatment methods, instead of going to the doctor every time there’s a problem with their health. We’re not saying that you should avoid going to the doctors, but in some cases, a massage done by a professional therapist can help with alleviating or eliminating the problem.

Cervical Contractures
Also known as a stiff neck, the cervical contractures can be pretty bad. Usually, a muscle in the neck contracts extremely bad and doesn’t allow the person to move the head or bend it in the other direction. The pain can be so severe that can bring you down to tears, and the doctors recommend painkillers and resting in bed.

However, even with the medicine, it can take up to at least one or two weeks before the pain disappears. That’s not a good thing to do if you consider the amount of medicine that you have to take. A massage therapist can solve this situation with a few massage sessions, depending on how bad the contracture is. It all starts with warming the neck muscles until they are ready to sustain a deep tissue massage. You will see that even if it may feel uncomfortable in the beginning, at the end of the session you will be able to move your head and the pain will be less intense.

Back Pains
Unless they are given by a herniated disc (a small fracture that appears in the discs of the spine), the back pains are given by sore muscles and contractures that appear due to many reasons – you sit too much on the chair, the posture is not right; you drive for many hours and so on. This can also be solved through massage sessions, but you will also need to take care of some aspects on the future – sitting right on the chairs, taking breaks from driving after a few hours and so on.

Swelling of the Limbs
After major surgeries or after severe accidents, the lymphatic system doesn’t work properly and this can make your hands or your legs swell. The doctors still don’t have enough information on how to treat this problem, but a lymphatic massage will help with drainage and reducing the swelling.

A lymphatic massage is close to a relaxing massage, with the difference that it’s done for each part that you need. Through the massage, the ganglia in your body are activated to make them work properly – the lymphatic system will be activated and you will see the swelling reduced after a few sessions. However, the trick is to drink a lot of water during these days, to give another helping hand to your body.

5 Steps for a Soothing Massage

In general, any type of massage should be a relaxing experienced. You usually go to a massage therapist to help you relax and reduce the levels of stress or to alleviate a muscular pain or contracture. However, there are a few tips that you can also use at home to have a great massage or to offer someone else a pleasant experience.

The Right Oils
When you think about a massage, consider the water-based oils, because those can be taken out of the towels and the clothes pretty easily. You can use almond, grape seed or jojoba oil, combined with something stronger like the lavender oil. The coconut oil can help with cooling the body, and it’s ideal for summer, while the sesame oil will warm up the skin during the winter.

A Nice Ambience
A low lighting and some burning incense can do wonders for someone’s state of mind, so if you plan this right, the person receiving the massage will totally relax. Make sure the room is cozy and well aired before burning the favored incense. Also, use a relaxing music that can help with inducing a good state close to meditation.

The Positive Energy
Shamans used breathing and meditation to channel the positive energy, so if you have someone coming over for a massage make sure you help them lie face down and taking a few calming breaths before you get started. A positive intent at the beginning is enough to help you focus and the other person feels your calm.

Warming Up
Place the chosen oil in your hands and warm it up a little before starting the massage. The trick is that the oil needs to be warm, and it will help you in warming up the muscles of the recipient. This is essential because any massage can work on knots in the muscles to alleviate pain and reduce the uncomfortable feeling, but you can’t do this if the body is stiff. Use light, long and flowing surface strokes for at least 10 or 15 minutes. Working on each part will ensure that the muscles are warmed enough to support a deeper working later into the session.

Smooth Moving
When you offer someone a massage, be it to help them relax or to solve a muscular contracture, make sure the muscles are warmed up. You should smoothly move your hand from one point to another – for example, you can’t massage the feet and get directly to the scalp. Start with the upper or the lower part of the body and work your way down or up, depending on where you’ve started.

The essence is to be relaxed enough so that the recipient can feel your calm and can also relax and enjoy what you’re doing, even if you don’t own a luxurious spa.