A national survey of consumers who received massages found that 92% reported it was effective in reducing their pain. That being said, massages come in many forms. From a classic Swedish massage to sports massage, aromatherapy massage, and more, it’s safe to say that everyone can reap the benefits of the right type for their needs. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most basic yet beneficial types of therapeutic massage.
Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage, in many massage clinics, is considered to be the “default” in terms of healing without surgery and providing general health benefits. For example, in a recent study in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers concluded that massage therapy could serve as an effective intervention in controlling blood pressure in pre-hypertensive women. The study showed that the immediate results of lowered blood pressure lasted up to 72 hours after the massage. Swedish massages are available at most massage clinics and are intended to provide pain relief, comfort, and energy to the patient, who can also identify problem areas for extra attention.
Aromatherapy Massage
Similar to Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage uses the addition of essential oils and other aromatics to provide a more sense-oriented experience:
“Extracted from flowers and other plant parts, essential oils offer a pleasing scent and are believed to have healing properties. Lavender and rose, for instance, are known to promote relaxation. Although oils may be selected to address specific needs, the therapist typically uses pre-blended oils to relax, energize, or uplift,” writes Cathy Wong on Very Well Health.
Sports Massage
Finally, don’t be mistaken; massage and natural pain relief options aren’t just for adults. In fact, more than 775,000 children, ages 14 and younger, are treated in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries each year. Most of the injuries occurred as a result of falls, being struck by an object, collisions, and overexertion during unorganized or informal sports activities. That being said, sports massages are intended to target troublesome areas to improve flexibility and limit pain.
Ultimately, massage therapy comes in a variety of types, and there’s bound to be a specialty therapeutic massage technique that works best for you. For more information about acupuncture and therapeutic massage therapy, contact Valleyview Injury and Physical Medicine.