Massage Therapy: Discover all the benefits it can provide

Massage therapy consists of a set of manual maneuvers for pain relief and general well-being. It is a set of massage procedures with the most varied purposes, such as pain and stress relief, for example.

Massage therapist Tatiana Andrade explains that massage therapy aims at the well-being of the patient. “It encompasses health and quality of life in its set of massage procedures and treatments, both for aesthetic purposes and for therapies”.

Massage Therapy: What is it for?

• stress relief
• Relief from pain and tension
• muscle relaxation
• Release of toxins into the bloodstream
• Helps fight cellulite and localized fat
• increased flexibility
• Improved blood circulation
• feeling of well-being

The benefits are diverse, from relaxation, improving mood, to helping with some medical treatment. It boosts the immune system, treats some levels of depression, brings relief from anxiety and stress, reduces pain, among others.

Massage for aesthetic purposes has been much sought after and, in fact, it helps to fight cellulite and localized fat. This is because the maneuvers help to stimulate lymphatic and blood circulation, increase local metabolism and eliminate toxins.

Who is massage therapy for?

Massage is suitable for all people, but there are some groups of contraindications and they differ for each type of massage that will be performed by the professional. For example, a hypertensive and cardiac person can have massage, with care and precautions. Pregnant women can do lymphatic drainage, except in the abdomen.

“The most important thing is that you always look for a serious and qualified professional to know if you need any special care during the session and to solve all your doubts regarding the techniques”, explains Tatiana.

massage therapy techniques

The most common massages found in clinics are: relaxing, therapeutic, lymphatic drainage and aesthetics. Tatiana emphasizes that there are several types of treatments and the professional, together with the patient, finds the best protocol for their care and patient’s objective.

• Therapeutic: Therapeutic massage is intended to eliminate anomalies and atrophies. It acts primarily as a form of prevention, but also as a form of treatment for muscle pain and bruises. Such as, for example, cervical massage, which treats torticollis and neck pain.
• Relaxing: the relaxing massage, as the name implies, seeks physical and mental relaxation, fighting tensions, stress, insomnia, among others.
• Aesthetics: Aesthetic massage is divided into facial and body massage. In the case of body aesthetics, it has a somewhat thankless mission, since the professional also needs a lot of “help” from the patient. Techniques and cosmetics are used to help with weight loss and reduction of measures, but the final result is also dependent on the patient’s food control and physical exercise. If the professional and patient do not outline a weight loss goal and protocol together, the result may not be what was expected.
• Lymphatic Drainage: Lymphatic drainage eliminates excess fluid and activates blood circulation. Free of residues, the cells begin to receive nutrients better, thus contributing to detoxification, fighting cellulite, but mainly eliminating body swelling.

Massage therapy manual maneuvers

There are some manual maneuvers used by professionals to make the massage therapy experience more effective and achieve the most diverse goals, according to each person. Check out what they are:

• Superficial Slip: This is the first contact with the customer. It should be a slow, smooth maneuver, with a uniform rhythm, thus preparing the place to be massaged.
• Deep gliding: rapid movements and placing relative pressure on the muscles, seeking to heat up the massaged region (hyperemia). It is performed towards the heart (centripetal), in order to assist venous return.
• Kneading: compression maneuver and great mobilization of the tissue to be treated. Its purpose is to unclog, disaggregate and force the exit of liquids, residues and toxins existing in the organism or muscular system.
• Friction: when performed at a fast and deep pace, it is the greatest warm-up maneuver.
• Drainage: constant and slow pressure maneuver with both hands that aims to displace the liquids and toxins released from the tissues by the previous maneuvers.
• Percussion: performed on the muscles, activates the tone by contraction.

There is no shortage of benefits for you to book a massage therapy session and enjoy all the advantages of the technique. But remember: always look for a trained professional!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.