In the past, massage was seen as nothing more than a luxury, but these days, it's widely accepted as a valid treatment for a variety of unpleasant ailments. Therapeutic massage has the potential to alleviate pain through a number of different mechanisms. These mechanisms include the relaxation of painful muscles, tendons, and joints; the relief of stress and anxiety; and the potential to help "close the pain gate" by stimulating competing nerve fibers and impeding pain messages to and from the brain.
There has been a lot of study done on therapeutic massage recently. In particular, its influence on pain in the back, hands, neck, and knees, among other regions, has been the subject of research studies. According to the findings of research that was published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, persons who participated in four weekly hand massage sessions as well as self-massage at home had a decrease in hand discomfort and an improvement in their grip strength. People in the control group who did not get hand massage tended to suffer from higher levels of anxiety and despair, as well as worse sleep quality.
According to the findings of a study that appeared in the Annals of Family Medicine in 2014, receiving therapeutic massage for sixty minutes two or three times per week for four weeks was more effective in relieving chronic neck pain than receiving no massage, fewer massage sessions, or sessions that were shorter.
Pressure used in massage treatment may range from light to deep pressure. There are several types of massage, such as deep tissue massage, that might be uncomfortable for some individuals. It is important to communicate with your massage therapist about the level of pressure that is comfortable for you. Therapeutic massage does not have to include discomfort to be effective (light touch, firm pressure, hard pressure). Lighter may be more soothing and, as a result, more useful, depending on the circumstances. People who suffer from specific pain problems, such as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, may only be able to withstand a mild pressure for an extended period of time.
There is no evidence to indicate that massage is hazardous; nonetheless, there are some circumstances in which it is not suggested. For example, rubbing an inflammatory patch of skin may make the inflammation worse by producing irritation to the area. It is not a good idea to have a massage on an infected region since it might transmit the virus further. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, you should avoid getting a massage if you have certain skin issues, heart difficulties, infectious diseases, or phlebitis. Choose a licensed therapist; your physical therapist may be able to provide a suggestion in this regard.
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