A therapeutic massage is direct and uses kneading motions with applied pressure in order to untangle deep tissue knots. Its purpose is to relieve pain and release pressure in turn reducing stress on the body.
So where do you start? Why would you ever need a therapeutic massage? I will go into details about what is a therapeutic massage and why you would need one in this article. Let us start with what it actually is.
What is a Therapeutic Massage?
A therapy is used to deal with any medical or physical issue affecting the body. A therapeutic massage is designed to help with injury related strains, pains and aches. A professional massage therapist will know exactly what motions and what pressure is needed to deal with a clients request. In most cases a therapist will require detailed information in order to perform the massage to their best abilities.
The type of pressure applied may at times be a bit uncomfortable. As the pressure sets in on the pain point it releases the stress and pain in return. This allows the body to feel relief and allow it to de-stress from the accumulated pain. This massage is therapy for the body. It is not a sensual massage but a medical therapeutic massage. In all cases it will be performed by a licensed massage therapist.
In all cases a therapeutic massage requires deeper and longer pressure than any relaxation massage. The most common methods used are very similar to a Swedish massage or a deep-tissue massage as it also incorporates soft tissue manipulation .
Here are some other techniques that could be used during a therapeutic massage:
- Craniosacral release
- Lymphatic drainage massage
- Myofascial release
- Trigger point work
- Passive-resistive stretching
So now we know what it is, and that its main purpose is to deal with aches, pains and discomfort that we may accumulate during our day / week / month or year of strain. It is also used in cases where a patient underwent an operation and needs regular therapeutic massages as part of their rehabilitation. In order to return muscular tissue strength, cartilage and ligament position you may be prescribed a therapeutic massage as part of your treatment.
Can a Therapeutic Massage Help with other health issues?
Yes a therapeutic massage will be able to help with many different issues of the body such as:
- Back pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Headaches, including migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches or sinus headaches
- Whiplash
- Muscle strains and sprains (after inflammation has gone down)
- Repetitive strain injuries from sitting or standing
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Tendonitis
In all cases it is a very good idea to incorporate this massage into your regular therapy. Before doing so consult your doctor of course.
Who is a therapeutic massage for?
This massage is for people who experience aches and pains in joints, the back or muscles due to strain from work or accidents. In some cases a therapeutic massage will not benefit people with preexisting medical conditions. In most cases however it will help reduce swelling, lower back pain, issues with the sinus, headaches and muscle tension.
It works great as a way to release stress and experience relief from physical strain. If you have been on a long flight and feel sore and bent out of shape then I would suggest this as your starting point. Long flights tend to strain our back and the reduced motion of sitting stresses our muscles into a locked position. This massage will allow you to gain greater mobility and to release the tension in locked muscles.
What do I need to get a therapeutic massage?
The most important thing is to be as relaxed as possible, bring yourself, tell your massage therapist about what you are experiencing, whether you have any preexisting medical conditions, what you expect and what are your pain points. All you need to do then is lay back and let the therapist help you.
You can get a therapeutic massage for the whole body or for just a part such as lower back, neck and so on. Free yourself to have time to choose the right massage. Always communicate during the massage if you feel uncomfortable.