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All the benefits of a massage.
Updated
It’s not all stress relief. Massage can help with high blood pressure, insomnia and even depression. So you don’t need an excuse to get one.
What to know about massage health benefits.
Tip #1: You have regular stress. Get a regular massage.
Muscle tension and insomnia come from daily stress. You commute on a crowded train, or sleep on the wrong pillow. You have a tough meeting. Stress isn’t a once-in-a-while thing — why should massage therapy be? A bodywork appointment every once in a while will keep your body in generally good working order by easing muscle tension, reducing headaches, improving blood flow in connective tissue. It may even help lower high blood pressure.
If you have depression or even temporary mood disorders, massage therapy can help regulate neurohormones. It can decrease cortisol to lower stress and increase dopamine levels so you can focus better and feel happier.
Tip #2: Try massage therapy for pain relief.
Regular muscle aches and pains — like tension headaches, shoulder stress, or low back pain — are not going to go away with just over-the-counter painkillers. But massage can also help people with health conditions like fibromyalgia by easing overall pain in the body and helping address fatigue and insomnia.
A therapist can work directly on the affected muscle and help you figure out what movement patterns are causing the strain. Specific techniques like trigger point massage and myofascial release can trace muscle strain to the root of the problem.
Tip #3: Recover from injuries and fix structural issues.
If you have chronic pain symptoms from an injury, some types of massage can actually change how you relate to your muscles, so you can get a break from the discomfort. Look for practitioners who specialize in sports massage or structural alignment. If you have joint pain, a massage therapist can work on muscle in the surrounding area to find places that are tight or out of balance.
Get free estimates from top-rated massage therapists.
Get the most out of your massage sessions.
Tip #1: Pick the right type of massage.
The most common types of massage include Swedish massage, Thai massage, Shiatsu and deep tissue. You can get massage with or without aromatherapy and you can usually specify how much pressure you like. You can also ask your massage therapist for less-common treatments like hot stone massage, myofascial release, or trigger point therapy.
Tip #2: Schedule your massage therapy sessions for the right times.
Ok, if your neck always hurts a little, or you feel like your calves are just always tight, or you take a couple Tylenol every day… you have chronic pain. A regular massage can help, alongside other wellness treatments (like talking to your doctor or working with a personal trainer). For pain management, there’s fixing the problem now, and there’s preventing strain in the future. So you’ll need a few sessions to really make a lasting difference. You can often get a discount if you buy a package in advance, so you can make massage therapy part of a healthy lifestyle.
How much does massage therapy cost?
Popular types of massage include Shiatsu, Swedish, sports therapy, deep tissue, hot stone, craniosacral, Thai, reiki, prenatal and reflexology. You can get a massage at a spa, studio, massage therapist’s private office, or in your own home. Prices will depend on how long the massage is and where it happens. It’s usually more expensive to get a massage at a spa than at a private practice or even at home.
Most therapists recommend at least 60 minutes for a back massage. A 90-minute massage is ideal if you have lots of tension or discomfort throughout your body. That’s because shoulder and neck pain usually starts elsewhere in your body. A good massage therapist can help you pinpoint your pain triggers.
You might pay extra for special supplies like custom massage oils, aromatherapy, heated stones, or special scrubs. Some massage therapists offer discounts if you purchase several sessions at once.
Get a free cost estimate based on your needs from a massage therapist near you on Thumbtack.
For more on costs, see “How much does massage therapy cost?”
Who to hire for massage and wellness services.
Massage can help with stress, headaches, posture and more. Make it part of a holistic health routine with help from wellness pros who can help you get in shape, eat better and relax more:
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