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• Control Stress!
• Stress and Weight
  
• Stress Reduction Techniques
  
  
  • Relaxation Techniques
  • Meditation
  • Exercise
  • Massage Therapy
• My Soul, My Environment
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Editor

Marie Etienne

Committee

Massage Therapy

Fredy Ruiz, MD, Family Practice Medicine

Massage therapy for stress relief

Stress has a tendency to build up over the course of a day; if it gets bad enough, stress can actually cause you physical pain such as neck pains and muscular cramps. Less obvious effects of stress include sleep disorders, decreased cellular and blood oxygenation, and the slow build up of internal toxins. A good, daily massage helps to remove these toxins from your muscles and blood, especially through your lymphatic system, all while refreshing your joints and muscles to help you feel relaxed, healthy, and happy.

Benefits.
Aside from stress management and toxin removal, there are even more benefits to a thorough, daily massage. Daily massage therapy has been proven to relax your muscles to relieve aches and prevent the onset of future muscle pain, as well as increase muscle hydration which leads to improved flexibility. Massage also hastens muscle recovery and the efficiency of nutrients in your muscles. Increased blood flow throughout your body means faster tissue recovery and body oxygenation, which increases red blood cell count and improves your immune system.

Trigger Point Therapy

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body.  A trigger point in the back, for example, may trigger pain in the neck.  The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head.  The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.  Trigger points are caused by muscle overuse or injury, and because the aches are associated with moving parts, the pain is commonly mistaken for arthritis.

Trigger point massage (also known as myotherapy) is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release.  In this type of massage the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The result of trigger point massage is the elimination of toxins in the muscles and the release of energizing endorphins.  A significant decrease in pain is often found after just one treatment.

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is the style that comes to mind when most people think about massage.  It was developed in Stockholm a couple of centuries ago and is the most common and best-known type form of bodywork performed today.

The goal is to relax the entire body and this is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart.  Additional techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching.  Lotion is often used to reduce friction and stimulate the skin.

Swedish Massage is exceptional for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a branch of massage that focuses solely on the hands and feet.  Originally developed as “zone therapy” in the early twentieth century, reflexology uses specifically targeted points on the extremities to send signals to the brain and balance the nervous system.

A reflexologist stretches and moves the hands and feet, applying pressure on reflex areas that correspond to specific organs and other parts of the body.  Endorphins are released throughout the entire body, reducing stress and returning the body to equilibrium.  Reflexology has been known to provide relief from ailments such as tension headaches, arthritis, digestive issues and back pain..

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the most common type of massage is Swedish Massage, a soothing technique specifically designed to relax and energize. Another common type of massage is Shiatsu, also known as acupressure. In Shiatsu massage, therapists use their fingers to manipulate the body’s pressure points.

However, you don’t have to visit the spa to enjoy the benefits of massage. There are many simple self-massage techniques you can use to relax and release stress.

Check out the new massage therapy methods, and be informed about all the health benefits of a daily massage!

Keep in mind that there is no single relaxation technique that is best.                             Many techniques are effective, but only when practiced regularly: so choose a relaxation technique or combination of techniques that resonates with you and fits your lifestyle!