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Benefits of Routine Therapeutic Massage

massage therapist rubbing a clients back with forearm

Therapeutic massage offers many potential health benefits including increased blood flood and circulation, decreased tension in the muscles, and increased endorphin levels. These benefits are helpful in the healing process by bringing nutrition to muscles and easing anxiety to reduce pain and speed recovery. However, one session of therapeutic massage may not be enough. Routine therapeutic massages can have significant additional benefits.

Prevention of Injury

Massage can be a very powerful asset for preventive care. By seeing a massage therapist regularly, you can prevent minor skeletomuscular injuries from becoming major problems that could lead to loss of mobility or flexibility later in life. Therapeutic massage specifically works to lengthen muscles that are stuck in a pattern of chronic shortening. If you’re worried about the cost of regular massage sessions, consider how costly prescription drugs, doctor visits, and surgeries would be. The cost of prevention may be better than the cost of a cure.

Improved Posture

Poor posture often develops over time as a compensation related to joint and muscle discomfort. Routine therapeutic massage combats this by loosening muscles. It also provides relaxation for joints. This allows the body to return to its natural position.

Promotion of Circulation

Therapeutic massages help blood and other essential body fluids to flow throughout the body. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to organs and muscles within the body for optimal functioning. Lymph is a fluid that carries away toxins and impurities from tissues. A regular massage routine could help to lower blood pressure, potentially preventing chronic illnesses.

Strengthened Immune System

Therapeutic massages can help boost your immune system by increasing the activity level of the body’s defensive cells. Routine massage treatments promote the body’s ability to naturally fight bacteria and infection. If you are always getting sick, or just tend to feel “under the weather” more than most people, a regular massage routine might help you bounce back.

Water intake after a massage ~ Why it is beneficial

If you’ve ever had a massage, your therapist has likely encouraged you to slam water like it’s your job right after. But why? During a massage, many toxins you have been harboring are released. Great! Right? While it is great that your body is purging harmful toxins, they must be released somewhere – it is best to chug water post-massage to flush those toxins out of your system!

Detoxification

Water helps flush and purify your kidneys which help process key nutrients and toxins! The water flushes the free radicals released during a massage out and oxygenates your cells to help produce more of the good stuff.

Kicks Dehydration

Massages, believe it or not, is dehydrating, and our bodies are 60% water after all! The kneading and squeezing that your massage therapist does to your body releases fluids from your muscle tissues and into your vascular system. This means you need to restock up on all the water you lost during your massage.

Rid Metabolic Waste

Sounds fancy, right? Really metabolic waste is just particles in our body that are of no use to us – during a massage, they are released at a much quicker rate than what our bodies are used to. Metabolic waste can constrict our muscles and lead to improper flow of toxin flushing. Drinking water, you give your muscles a chance to loosen-up and therefore release the tense muscles that hold waste.

Prevent Soreness

It is normal to feel a little sore in focused areas after your massage. Hydrating after a massage can help prevent excessive soreness. Do yourself a favor and add an extra glass or two to your normal post-massage amount if you are still feeling super sluggish or ill.

Pre-Massage Water

Pro tip!!! Drinking water before a massage can help just as much (if not more) and drinking post-massage! It helps your kidneys to release the toxins as they work their way out of your muscles during your massage and move them out of your system in a healthy, productive manner.

There is nothing like a great massage to get your body retuned for life. Make an appointment with Precision Wellness to feel refreshed and recover health in your muscles, tissues, and throughout your body. Just don’t forget to chug some water before and after!

Can Massage Therapy Help Me?

Generally, people use massage for either general relaxation and wellbeing, or to address a specific complaint, such as pain or limited range of motion. Research suggests massage therapy may contribute to both goals.

Some of the general benefits of massage therapy may include:

Physical relaxation
Improved circulation, which nourishes cells and improves waste elimination
Relief for tight muscles (knots) and other aches and pains
Release of nerve compression (carpel tunnel, sciatica)
Greater flexibility and range of motion
Enhanced energy and vitality
Some clinical styles may help heal scar tissue as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle tears

What specific conditions can massage therapy help?

Massage therapy may help the body in many ways. Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased nerve compression, increased joint space, and range of motion. This may lead to reduced pain and improved function.

Massage therapy may also improve circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products. These circulatory effects of massage may have value in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or edema (an excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues, which may be reduced using manual lymph drainage).

Massage therapy is also thought to induce a relaxation response, which lowers the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure; boosts the immune system, and generally decreases the physical effects of stress.

These effects suggest that massage may be helpful for a wide range of conditions. Some of these are listed below.

Decreases pain and increases functioning in these conditions:	Helps treat and manage symptoms or complications of:	Other psychological, emotional, and physical benefits:
Carpal tunnel Sciatica Tension headaches Whiplash Scoliosis Torticollis Tendon and muscle tears Thoracic outlet syndrome Varicose veins Pregnancy-related back pain and other discomforts Myofascial pain Sore or overused muscles (prevents and treats) Muscle injury (offers rehabilitation)	Gout Rheumatoid arthritis Osteoarthritis Muscular dystrophies Raynaud’s Disease Diabetes Hypertension and congestive heart failure Reduces risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes autoimmune diseases	Improved mood Reduced anxiety Lower stress levels Lessening of depression Reduced anger and aggression Improved sleep patterns and decreased sleep disturbance Reduced fatigue Enhances immune system Improves athletic performance and enhances recovery

Relaxation vs Deep Tissue – What is the difference?

With so many different types of massage out there, it can be difficult to choose which therapy is right for you. Some days you may want to unwind and relax while others you need targeted relief from tension and stiffness after a particularly stressful week.

To help you choose which therapy is most suitable for your needs, here is a look at two of the most popular therapies: Deep Tissue and Relaxation Massage.

Keep in mind that every client, therapist, and massage session may be different. This is just a basic outline. Treatments by our therapist as Precision Wellness will be tailored to you.

What is the difference?

The short answer: Pressure.

Soothing massage that is gentle enough to put you to sleep on the table? Relaxation massage can do the trick!

Do you crave that good-pain feeling that really works out the kinks? If you’re a fan of firmer pressure from the elbows and knuckles, a Deep Tissues massage would be great for you.

There is no set guideline for great massages. Your therapist will use differing pressures and parts of their hands and arms depending on the area of focus. If you are an office working, your neck may be stiff from long days at the desk. For construction workers, your shoulders may harbor a lot of tension from a labor-intensive day. Tell your massage therapist what is ailing you and they will work some magic!

Tell us what you want

Clear communication about what you want and don’t want is very important! Therapist may have magic hands, but they are not mind readers. If your therapist is doing something that feels great, let them know so they can do more of it! Just as importantly, if there is a technique, pressure, or area of focus that you are not enjoying, make sure you communicate that early on so they can adjust accordingly. Simply, clear communication results in you enjoying your massage experience from start to finish.

Deeper benefits

Deep Tissue Massage – This is a full-body massage that generally uses a bit more pressure. Your therapist can target more trigger points and aim to get those knots worked out while still making you feel like they have covered the entire body.

“Deep Tissue” implies a specific focus on dense layers of muscle and fascia, it does not always mean deep pressure – “deep” can also refer to the impact of the massage on your body as a restorative therapy.

With numerous benefits, and not just limited to pain reduction, consistent Deep Tissue massages can help break down scar tissue and “knots” and promote long-term muscle rehabilitation.

Some of the conditions that could benefit from a Deep Tissue massage include:

Lower back and neck pain
Repetitive strain injuries
Sciatica
Fibromyalgia
Chronic pain
Limited mobility
Injuries and muscle tension
Post-workout fatigue

Deep Tissue may also aid in lowering high blood pressure and cortisol levels, reducing stress and anxiety. If you are seeking relief from any of these things, book your next Deep Tissue massage online instantly!

Time to relax

Relaxation – the main goal of this massage is to fully relax. Therapists will typically use long soft strokes directed towards the heart to improve circulation and may target a few trigger points if you want that.

You can also enjoy an improvement in skin tone and appearance due to improved blood circulation. Some people have reported an increase in flexibility post-massage.

While reducing physical and emotional stress, a Relaxation Massage may also temporarily lower blood pressure and help manage stress-related affiliations. This massage also stimulates the release of positive brain chemicals that promote a feeling of well-being.

The ultimate goal for our massage therapists at Precision Wellness is to provide you with the most enjoyable massage experience possible. They will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed, whether that be through a Relaxation massage or a Deep Tissue massage. Book online today!

What is Thai Massage

Massage has many health benefits. It can reduce stress, tension, heart rate, blood pressure, sore muscles, and joint pain. Massage can also increase endorphins, bloody circulation, and immune functions.

Thai massage is a type of deep tissue, full-body massage. It uses many yoga-like postures to stretch the entire body and help heal injuries. Your therapist will use their palms and fingers and even their feet to apply firm pressure to your body. You will also be stretched and twisted into various positions – it’s the lazy man’s yoga!

After a Thai massage, you will feel relaxed and rejuvenated. You can expect to have decreased stress levels from head to toe along with increased flexibility in the muscles of your back, legs, and arms. Thai massage is also low impact so it’s good for all ages and activity levels including pregnant women or someone who recently had surgery/injury.

It is normal to feel sore after a massage. The Thai technique carries blood and nutrients to your muscles while eliminating toxins. After stimulating muscles that you may not usually use, you might experience delayed onset muscles soreness. Drink lots of water after your session to flush those toxins and help with soreness.

Thai massages work best when combined with other treatments such as acupuncture, cupping, etc. We have many tools to help you get rid of stress and aches quickly!

Here are a few benefits to Thai massage:

Relieves headaches: if you have migraines or experience headaches, traditional Thai massage may help ease your symptoms.
Reduces back pain: Thai massage may be an effective, nonpharmaceutical means of reducing back pain that includes joint mobilization, hot packs, and manual stretching to painful areas.
Relieves joint stiffness and pain: Thai massage may improve your joint function if you experience pain and stiffness when you move.
Increase flexibility and rang of motion: If your range of motion and flexibility are affecting your athletic performance or making it hard to get around, Thai massage may help you move more easily.
Eases anxiety: One of the most energetic than other forms of massage therapy, it has been shown to lower anxiety and increase a systemic feeling of calm.
Revives energy: Thai massage incorporates whole body movements, many of which are yoga-like. For that reason, many people report that they leave Thai massage sessions feeling not only relaxed but also rejuvenated.

What to expect:

With Thai massage, you can wear your own loose-fitting clothes (we also suggest gym/yoga clothing). You lie on a mat on the floor and your practitioner will slowly move your body through multiple stretches, using the weight and pressure of their own body to assist you. If your muscles are sore or tense, you may feel some discomfort. If you do, let your practitioner know so the pressure and stretching can be reduced.

Ready to try a Thai Massage? Book online today!

What is a Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic drainage massage is a type of massage therapy, where your therapist will apply pressure to the lymph nodes in different parts of your body to help move the lymphatic fluid. You might have heard about it by other names such as lymphatic drainage or simply called ‘lymph massage’. It has also been referred to as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) .

This type of treatment can help with: swollen glands, blocked ducts in breasts, abscesses in teeth and gums, infections, weakened immunity, sinus infections, brain fog, chronic fatigue, even digestive issues.

There are many approaches to help get the lymph fluid flowing again, such as starting to move (exercise), avoiding sitting or standing for extended periods of time, dry brushing, eating a more “clean” diet, incorporating red raw foods like beets, cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, berries, and simply breathing and laughing!

But if you want to get a great lymphatic massage, we have therapist that specialize in Lymphatic Drainage Massage!

Massages involve some sort of therapeutic touch. Unlike a traditional massage like Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, lymphatic massage focuses on using feather-light pressure and circular movements no greater than the pressure it would take for your finger to move skin. Most massages focus on the skin, muscles, and joints while LD massages focus in a concentrated manner to one area or quadrant of the body to clear the body’s lymphatic system. For the lymphatic system to run smoothly it is important that cells, proteins and fluid move through the body’s network of lymph vessels, nodes, glands and organs. Since the lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like our heart does for blood, you need to help it move by your movements in order for it to function properly. This technique assists the movement of muscle fluids back into circulation where they are filtered through the lungs or kidneys before returning to general body circulation.

The lymphatic system transports waste materials out of tissues back into the bloodstream so that they can be eliminated when we urinate or defecate. A healthy lymphatic system also provides defense against infections because white blood cells migrate throughout the tissues in the body.

Call Precision Wellness today to schedule your Lymphatic Drainage Massage today!

What is TMJ & How Massage Can Help

The Mayo Clinic describes TMJ as the temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders – a type of temporomandibular disorder can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

The exact causes of a person’s TMJ disorder is often difficult to determine. Your pain may be due to a combination of factors, such as genetics, arthritis, or jaw injury. Some people who have jaw pain also tend to clench or grind their teeth and can also be genetic.

In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders is temporary and can be relieved with self-managed care, massage and in extreme cases may require surgery. For some, the pain comes and goes and is triggered by doing something like chewing a piece of gum all day. For others, TMJ can be chronic and very painful. Here’s some good news – a TMJ massage can help relieve your pain!

When the jaw muscles are overly tight or imbalanced, manual therapy works well to help restore normal muscle tone and balance between the TMJ muscles. Now, let us discus the fun part so you can get some relief!

TMJ Kneading Massage provides constant, circular motion against the joins and muscles most affected by TMJ paint.
TMJ Friction Massage – For some people, pressure alone is enough o find some relief. That said, it needs to be done correctly and in the right place.
TMJ Stretching Massage – If you liked the friction massage, the TMJ stretching massage could further your relief and “exercise” the muscles most responsible for TMJ disorders.

Are you having jaw pain? Call Precision Wellness for a TMJ massage!

Benefits of Massage

We know that there are many benefits to massage therapy. One main benefit is relaxation but there is much more than that. Here are some ways massage therapy will help you stay fit.

1 – Counteract all that sitting – Most of us are dealing with postural stress. Often, this type of stress tends to settle in your shoulders and neck. You have a ‘desk job’, you may notice postural stress as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteal area caused by prolonged periods of sitting.

2 – Reduce pain – Sore muscles? Massage therapy can help with that! Massage increases and improves circulation. Just like when you knock your elbow on a table, you rub it to help relieve the pain. A professional massage therapist will be able to accurately target the source of your pain and help achieve the perfect massage regimen.

3 – Improve Circulation – Loosening muscles and tendons allow increased blood flow throughout the body. Improving your circulation can have several positive effects on the rest of your body, including reduced fatigue and pain management!

4 – Improve Flexibility – Massage therapy will loosen and relax your muscles, helping your body to achieve its full range of movement potential.

5 – Reduce Fatigue – Stimulation of the lymph nodes re-charges the body’s natural defense system.

6 – Improves Sleep – Not only do the benefits of massage encourage a night of restful sleep, but it also helps those who cannot otherwise comfortably rest. Going to bed with relaxed and loosened muscles promotes more restful sleep, and you’ll feel less tired in the morning!

7 – Eliminate Toxins – Stimulating the soft tissues of your body will help to release toxins through your bloodstream and lymphatic system.

Now that you see the benefits of regular massage therapy, book your massage with Precision Wellness!

Benefits of Massage

We know that there are many benefits to massage therapy. One main benefit is relaxation but there is much more than that. Here are some ways massage therapy will help you stay fit.

1 – Counteract all that sitting – Most of us are dealing with postural stress. Often, this type of stress tends to settle in your shoulders and neck. You have a ‘desk job’, you may notice postural stress as pain or weakness in the low back and gluteal area caused by prolonged periods of sitting.

2 – Reduce pain – Sore muscles? Massage therapy can help with that! Massage increases and improves circulation. Just like when you knock your elbow on a table, you rub it to help relieve the pain. A professional massage therapist will be able to accurately target the source of your pain and help achieve the perfect massage regimen.

3 – Improve Circulation – Loosening muscles and tendons allow increased blood flow throughout the body. Improving your circulation can have several positive effects on the rest of your body, including reduced fatigue and pain management!

4 – Improve Flexibility – Massage therapy will loosen and relax your muscles, helping your body to achieve its full range of movement potential.

5 – Reduce Fatigue – Stimulation of the lymph nodes re-charge the body’s natural defense system.

6 – Improves Sleep – Not only do benefits of massage encourage a restful sleep, but it also helps those who cannot otherwise comfortably rest. Going to bed with relaxed and loosened muscles promotes more restful sleep, and you’ll feel less tired in the morning!

7 – Eliminate Toxins – Stimulating the soft tissues of your body will help to release toxins through your blood stream and lymphatic system.

Now that you see the benefits of regular massage therapy, book your massage with Precision Wellness!

Staying fit with Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can go a long way helping your body restore nutrients to sore muscles, improving flexibility, and building your immunity. Did you know that massage can help make working out better too?

Here are seven ways a massage can improve your overall health.

Post workout recovery – A good, therapeutic massage helps loosen up your muscles after an intense workout, allowing you to recover from the impact better and faster than you normally would. Massage helps restore some pliability.
Soothe Sore Muscles – Your muscles can really ache after you put them through the ringer at the gym or while pounding the pavement during a run. Massaging and stretching them can help work out the nots, flush out the toxins and get the blood flowing again so they do not hurt so much.
Release tension – Painful trigger points, which are common in the back, are created by old injuries and can be relieved with specific massage techniques. Trigger point massages help target areas that radiate pain, signaling the body to release these ultra-tight muscles and get bloody flowing again.
Better working muscles – Regular exercise puts strain on your muscles, ligaments and tendons, and messes with those connective fibers under the skin known as your fascia – fascia helps the muscles work smoothly and efficiently when they are in good shape – the fascia can get really gunked up with repeated exercise, making it harder for muscles to slide past each other easily. Massage helps loosen up those fibers, so the muscles are doing what they are supposed to with much less effort.
Recover – A deep tissues massage targeting the big muscles you use the most – like quads and hamstrings – can help loosen up the muscles and restore some flexibility.
Mental stability – If you are beating yourself up with high-intensity classes or weight training, massage can give you a nice balance with the happy endorphins from working out. It is also a cortisol reducer (stress reliever).
Prevent future injuries – Massage is amazing way to boost muscle recovery! It corrects muscles train, muscles tension, and even the effects of stress or poor posture!

Turns out massage is not just a luxury you splurge on at the spa! Call Precision Wellness to book your post-work out massage today!

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Prevention of Injury

Improved Posture

Promotion of Circulation

Strengthened Immune System

What specific conditions can massage therapy help?

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