Massage Therapy
What You Need To Know
What is massage therapy used for?
Massage therapy is used to help manage a health condition or enhance wellness. It involves manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Massage has been practiced in most cultures, both Eastern and Western, throughout human history, and was one of the earliest tools that people used to try to relieve pain.
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What are the different types of massage?
The term “massage therapy” includes many techniques.
The most common form of massage therapy is called Swedish or classical massage; other styles include sports massage, deep tissue massage, myofascial massage, postural massage and lymphatic drainage massage.
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What are the risks of massage therapy?
The risk of harmful effects from massage therapy appears to be low. However, there have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a blood clot, nerve injury, or bone fracture. Some of the reported cases have involved vigorous types of massage, such as deep tissue massage, or patients who might be at increased risk of injury, such as elderly people.
Benefits of all massages
Swedish/Classical Massage
The Swedish massage is one of the most common types of massages you can get. It is performed to energize the body and improve overall health.
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Benefits of a Swedish Massage
Massages are a great way to relax and unwind. A massage involves manipulating the muscles and joints to relieve stress or pain. This is achieved by relaxing tight muscles and promoting blood circulation.
Getting a Swedish massage can also be beneficial to your heart. A masseuse manipulates the body's soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels) and uses strokes that flow toward the heart, improving blood circulation.
Swedish massage may help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Some of the symptoms that could be managed by massage therapy include back pains, headaches, muscle issues and other chronic pains.
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In addition to the positive health impacts mentioned above, getting a Swedish massage may also have the following benefits:
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Nerve stimulation: By applying pressure and manipulating the muscles, a Swedish massage helps to stimulate nerves located in different parts of the body. The nerves could be stimulated in a way that helps to manage pain and discomfort.
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Mood booster: Massages have been found to improve mood by promoting the production of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These hormones act to stabilize your mood, helping you feel happy and positive. A Swedish massage could also act to reduce the production of cortisol, a stress-causing hormone.
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Tension reliever: Also known as adhesions, knots can be quite painful. The Swedish massage warms up the muscles and breaks down the binding spots and relieves the tension gathered at the knots. If you have a severe case of adhesions, consider other, more intense types of massages.
Sports/ Decontracting Massage
Sports massage is designed to help athletes before, during and after training. It is useful for anyone who exercises to increase flexibility, prevent injuries and help with healing after a sports injury.
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Sports massage is specifically tailored to different sports and sporting injuries. It is not a relaxing form of massage and can often be quite strenuous. It works by stretching tight muscles, stimulating inactive muscles and improving the condition of the soft tissue.
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The aim of sports massage is to reduce the stress and tension that can build up in the soft tissues of the body during exercise. This form of massage is used to:
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increase endurance
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improve performance
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reduce the chance of injury
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reduce recovery time after an injury
other benefits:
One of the main benefits of sports massage is that it can prevent sore muscles after exercise (known as 'delayed onset muscle soreness'). It also helps someone to exercise more efficiently and prevent some of the common ailments that go with exercise.
Sports massage may also improve heart rate and blood pressure, increase circulation and lymph flow, and help treat injuries, including shin splint, tennis elbow, sprains and strains.
Sports massage is often safe after an injury, although there are some injuries for which it is not suitable. If you are using sports massage for any health condition or injury, talk to your doctor.
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Read the reccomendations session before having this massage (Click here).
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Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage works to relax the body and relieve tension. However, it may initially be uncomfortable due to the pressure on the deep muscle areas.
Deep tissue massage aims to reach deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.
A massage therapist will slowly press their fingers into the skin with pressure. They will use slow, firm strokes to target deep tissues.
They may specifically target knots in the muscles. Muscle knots, or myofascial trigger points, are specific areas of tension within the muscle fiber. The exact cause of these knots is still unclear, but they can develop from muscle overuse, such as from playing a sport or poor posture.
Because these knots can be sore, deep tissue massage aims to relieve them and provide pain relief. There is some evidence to suggest that this technique is effective for this purpose.
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Read the reccomendations session before having this massage (Click here).
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage involves applying light pressure to the skin in a slow, stroking motion. By massaging the skin, you can help stimulate lymph vessels to contract and move fluid from swollen areas to other parts of the body.
For most of us, regular movement is enough to stimulate the lymph system so fluid flows freely throughout the body. But folks with damaged lymph nodes or certain illnesses develop swelling when lymph builds up (aka lymphedema). This swelling often shows up in the arms and legs.
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Lymphatic drainage massage has also been used to help conditions besides lymphedema. While not completely proven, the technique may also be used to help folks with:
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arthritis
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digestive problems
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fatigue
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fibromyalgia
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insomnia
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migraine attacks
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swelling (aka edema)
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skin disorders
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stress
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Lymphatic drainage massage risks
While lymphatic massage is generally considered safe for most people, it can be dangerous for folks with certain conditions.
Avoid lymphatic drainage if you:
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have an infection (like fever)
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experienced blood clots or a stroke
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have congestive heart failure
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have cancer in the affected area
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you have liver or kidney problems
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Just make sure your doc gives you the A-OK to perform a lymphatic massage at home, or look for a massage therapist or physical therapist who is properly certified in the practice.
Places where I work
89 Rue de Hollerich, 1741 Hollerich Luxembourg
Tuesday-Wednesday:
14 till 16
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RESERVATION: