When we explain medical massages, clients often mistake the therapy for spa treatment. Although they seem alike at first, massage therapy has many more benefits that can help achieve mind and body wellness.
What is a medical massage?
A spa treatment and a medical massage may feel similar, but they involve different techniques. Whilst they both apply pressure to the body to help you relax. A medical massage uses holistic therapies that focus on muscle health and recovery.
It uses a variety of techniques to target your medical needs, including:
- Swedish massage
- Deep tissue and trigger point therapy
- Sports massage
- Reflexology
- Myofascial release
- Healing touch
- Prenatal and postnatal massage
- Aromatherapy
- Chair massage
- Thai massage
- Cupping therapy
It works by releasing any muscle strain to realign body posture. A practitioner will focus on certain parts of the body, like your neck, shoulders or lower back, to ease any chronic pain in that area. They will apply slow strokes and use their fingers, hands, and forearms to apply deep pressure across the muscles.
Your practitioner will provide you with a plan for treatment and a follow-up recommendation to help you feel the benefits. However, the advantages of a medical massage will depend on your medical needs.
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
We’ve all experienced pain in our muscles. 60% of people in the UK have reported experiencing pain at one point in their lives. Lower back pain has become more common due to bad posture caused by working physical jobs. Stress also causes muscle strain as they contract and trigger painful areas.
The American College of Physicians recommends using alternative medicine for pain treatment. So whether you experience acute or chronic pain, nearly any pain diagnosis can benefit from a medical massage. It is often used to manage discomfort, improve posture, encourage circulation and movement, reduce stress and mental health issues. As well as lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and rehabilitate injuries.
Encourages circulation and flexibility
Finding holistic therapies in London can help your body become more flexible. Author Theresa Foy Digeronimo was confined to a wheelchair after suffering from lupus. However, after four sessions of massage therapy, she was able to regain her range of motion. As a medical massage releases stiff muscles, it sends oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissue. This increases circulation and reduces swelling to improve flexibility.
Rehabilitates injuries
Like most therapies, medical massage can help you to recover from injuries. However, the treatment can also help with the pain experienced by traditional therapies. In the same way that massage therapy can increase circulation, relax muscles, increase flexibility and posture. It can also reduce the stress felt from painful injuries to reduce the recovery time.
Improves mental health
Excessive stress pumps cortisol throughout the body. Friction between the skin and fingers encourages blood flow, rising the temperature of the muscles. This makes the muscles relax as it increases tissue elasticity and flushes cortisol from the body by stimulating endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. As cortisol can increase appetite, massage therapy can also benefit those who suffer from weight gain.
Lowers blood pressure
A study published in the journal Biological Research for Nursing shows that 3-10 minute spinal massages per week can lower blood pressure. As massage therapy can lower cortisol, regular treatments can reduce stress which can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure.
Boosts immunity
Massage therapy can encourage your body’s immune system to protect itself from illness. Treatment can improve lymph, a bodily fluid that fights infection and disease, to flow through your body. It also helps to remove excess lymph to strengthen your immune system.
Massage therapy can benefit a range of people with different pain points. You should incorporate medical massage in your journey for total mind and body wellness. As it can encourage positive hormones, like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. Holistic therapies can boost your mental health, as well as help you live a full life with overall health.
If you’re ready to see what the treatment can do for you, book a session with one of our leading practitioners today. Browse our specialists who can provide you with a medical massage in London that meets your individual needs.