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Your Guide to Massage Therapy for Health and Wellness

Massage isn’t just a luxury activity on your vacation; it is an integral part of a balanced health care routine. Many benefits of massage therapy can boost your overall wellbeing. It’s a bonus that it feels good, too. However, there’s a lot to learn before you dive in. How do you get started with massage therapy in your life?

 

What Is Massage Therapy?

To put it simply, massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of your body. The application of pressure and movement are used to achieve the desired results. It is one of the oldest health care practices in the world and is evidenced throughout history in many cultures. Hippocrates himself spoke about massage in the 4th century B.C.

Anyone and everyone can benefit from massage. From children to the elderly, there is an appropriate massage technique. Pregnant people are also included. Whether you have a preexisting condition or you are addressing minor aches and pains, massage therapy is for you. Even if you are completely healthy, it’s great for maintenance and prevention.

 

Traditional Techniques

There are a plethora of massage therapy techniques to be found. Although many people imagine the subject of a massage on a soft table in a spa, this is not the only method. Depending on the background of the practitioner, different manipulation techniques can be used for a variety of purposes.

 

Deep Tissue Massage

This type of massage can feel a little intense, in the best way. As the name suggests, deep tissue and muscles are targeted to release tension and buildup. Deep tissue massage is popular for treating chronic pain and sports injuries.

 

Lymphatic Massage

This technique, also known as manual lymphatic drainage, is a type of medical massage. Your lymphatic system moves lymph fluid through your body to remove waste and toxins, so it can be a problem if this fluid gets trapped. Certain conditions, such as lymphedema and fibromyalgia, greatly benefit from this massage technique.

 

Swedish Massage

The Swedish technique is highly recommended for the treatment of mood disorders and anxiety. It’s also great for beginners. A Swedish massage features adjustable pressure and long strokes, and a lot of gliding and rubbing are involved. It also uses vibration and tapping to release tension.

 

Trigger Point Massage

A trigger point massage is targeted at knots in your muscles. Holding targeted points of pressure and rubbing are used to dissolve the knots. This can feel a little intense or uncomfortable at first but will feel amazing afterward. It is also often used in conjunction with acupuncture, a technique of inserting tiny needles into your body to stimulate circulation and remove blockages.

 

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese technique that translates to “finger pressure.” Fingers, elbows and knuckles can be used to deliver sharp points of pressure to release blockages in your “qi,” or energy. The restoration of the free flow of your energy is thought to bring balance to your body and treat illness. This method is great for your blood circulation.

 

Percussion Massage

Percussion massage is a technique that uses a machine called a percussive massage gun. This tool delivers powerful and abrupt pressure deep into your muscles and tissue. Similar to a deep tissue massage, this technique is popular with athletes. You can practice this as an at home massage therapy technique.

 

Reflexology

This technique is also called “zone therapy” and focuses on your ears, feet and hands. It entails applying pressure to specific points that are thought to be tied to various systems in your body. It can help with everything from anxiety to digestion. Reflexology has its roots in ancient Chinese medicine and was developed further by British scientists in the 1890s when they discovered that nerves connect the skin to the internal organs.

 

Craniosacral Massage

Craniosacral therapy, or CST, is a technique that uses a very light touch to manipulate your nervous system and relieve pain and tension. It can even be performed on infants, it is so gentle. It is especially great for relieving migraines.

 

Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage is similar to a Swedish massage but includes the addition of hot stones. The solid heat and pressure of the stones are great for your joints and are thought to help treat rheumatoid arthritis. The hot stones are also sometimes paired with cold stones to reduce inflammation. These temperature sensations also feel wonderful in between more traditional massage techniques.

 

Myofascial Release

This technique specifically targets the myofascial tissue. This is a connective tissue that supports your muscles, joints, bones and organs. A myofascial massage involves the very slow application of pressure to engage the fascia that encases your muscles. It can feel like your masseuse is holding pressure in one spot for a long time. This method is great for paint management and muscle tension.

 

Compression Massage

This type of massage is meant only for your legs. It uses an even and surrounding pressure to increase circulation. This can be great for swollen feet or problematic veins. Compression massage requires equipment, such as a pneumatic compression device. This device is worn like a sleeve on your leg and inflates to adjust pressure. You can also use compression socks to recreate these effects at home, which are great for air travel.

 

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Any type of massage therapy is known to improve circulation. Your circulatory system is what delivers fresh blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout your body, so blockages are bad news. The same goes for your lymphatic system, which produces a flow of lymph to fight infection. Take all this together and you can see how massage can boost your immune function.

Stress relief is another function of massage therapy. No one can entirely escape stress, so all we can do is manage it. Stress releases a hormone called cortisol that can negatively affect your body if the levels stay elevated. A massage can bring you back down into a relaxed state and release endorphins, which improve your mood and again boost your immune system.

Pain, stiffness and injury can also be addressed with a massage. Pressure can release tension and aches from your muscles. The aforementioned increased circulation helps remove buildup from tissue that causes discomfort. There are a lot of trigger points related to your nervous system that can bring you relief when pressure is applied appropriately.

 

Developing Your Practice

Do you have a specific issue you’d like to address, such as a bad back or frequent headaches? Then this is where you should start. You can consult your doctor or find a licensed massage therapist who specializes in what you need. Remember, different massage therapy techniques suit different needs. Research is key in these situations.

If you don’t have a specific issue, identify general wellness goals. Mitigating the effects of stress is a big one, and most types of massage will help in this area. In such a case it comes down to your preferences. Experiment with a lot of different types of massage to find what feels best for you. Luckily, it’s not a terrible chore to go get a bunch of massages; the process itself can be relaxing.

As they say in the world of finance, when it comes to investing, a diverse portfolio is stronger. Use this philosophy to strengthen your wellness practice by including a few different methods of massage in your routine, for example, visiting a licensed practitioner once a month and using massage therapy tools daily at home. The more massage, the better!

 

Bringing Massage Therapy Home

Live people aren’t the only way to deliver soothing pressure and movement to your muscles. Bring the spa home with the amazing array of technologies that exist to massage you at your convenience. At home massage therapy is now accessible to everyone.

You don’t even need electricity. Foam rollers use the weight of your body to apply pressure where you need it. Specialized hand tools, like Gua Sha, are easy to use on yourself. If you want to step up your game, you can use a powered tool like a percussion gun or a chair with massage rollers installed inside. That way you don’t have to expend your own energy but can just sit back and relax.

 

Consider a Hot Tub for Therapy

For a full-body health experience, consider a hot tub. Bullfrog Spas makes hot tubs with massage therapy jets that you can adjust to your preferences. Sitting in heated water adds an extra layer of relaxation and luxury. Plus, you can start it up anytime without needing to make an appointment. Why bother venturing back out into the world when you can sink into your very own spa and get your stiff muscles massaged?

The world of massage is vast and varied. There is something for everyone, from homebodies to sports enthusiasts. Massage therapy is an easy way to feel better in your body and destress your mind. Consider investing in your wellbeing with tools for massage therapy at home, like a hot tub with massage therapy jets. Consult a massage therapist for expert guidance on what will work best for your needs.
 

 

Does a Spa Really Help? Hear From Other Customers

 

“We got our bullfrog delivered 2 weeks ago today! We love it so much. My husband and I both suffer from chronic pain and injuries so having a hot tub before bed each night has made a world of difference! Even our chiropractor is so impressed at how much easier it makes his job! I would recommend one for sure!” – Kristy A.

 

“The spa has changed my life, literally. I sleep better. I feel better. It is a stress reducer and the muscle tightness I feel in my neck and back is substantially reduced. I can’t believe I lived this long without it.” – Jean L.

 

“I should have bought a Bullfrog 10 years ago!The whole family loves our new Bullfrog spa and I wish I would have purchased it 10 years ago. I have a great deal of back problems and this has made a big improvement in my quality of life. I just slip into it every night for about 30 minutes and it helps to reduce the pain and fatigue of the long and stressful days.” – Mike C.

 

“I’m really happy with my purchase of Bullfrog spa. It’s my best medicine for chronic pain. I feel rejuvenated after soaking and feeling the jets relax my tense muscles. I don’t know how I would be able to start my day without it.” – Betsy W.

 

Learn More About Bullfrog Spas

Bullfrog Spas are the only hot tubs that can be personalized just for you. Our patented JetPak Therapy System allows you to choose between 18 JetPak massages, each with a unique combination of jet types and placements. You then place the JetPak in your favorite seat and can interchange or upgrade at any time. Choose the JetPaks with the massages that target your aches and pains and even adjust the massage power with ease.

 

 

Design a Spa Online, Get an Instant Price Quote

Purchasing a hot tub isn’t just an investment; it’s a lifestyle change that will benefit your entire family. Only you can decide if a spa is a good investment for you. Use our online Design Studio tool to select your model, JetPaks, and accessories. Once you’re done, you’ll receive an instant price quote.