A soothing massage can help you unwind, but that's not all.
Explore the possible health benefits and risks of massage
therapy, plus what to expect.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Massage is no longer available only through
luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is
offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If
you've never tried massage, learn about the possible health
benefits of massage and what to expect during a massage therapy
session.
What is
massage?
Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing
and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for
massage but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet.
Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure
techniques.
There are many different types of massage,
including these common types:
Swedish massage.
This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes,
kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help
relax and energize you.
Deep-tissue massage.
This
massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target
the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to
help with muscle damage from injuries.
Sports massage.
This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people
involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
Trigger point massage.
This
massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight
muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or
overuse.
Benefits of
massage
Massage is generally considered part of complementary
and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with
standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and
situations.
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits
of massage, some studies have found massage helpful for:
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or
diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves
caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep
connections with their massage therapist.
Despite its benefits, massage isn't meant as a
replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you're
trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans
you have.
Risks of
massage
Massage is generally safe as long as it's done by a
trained massage therapist. But massage isn't appropriate for
everyone. Discuss massage with your doctor first in cases of:
Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit
sore the next day. But massage shouldn't be painful or
uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is
painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too
much pressure during massage.
In rare circumstances, massage can cause:
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