Massage Therapy Can Help With Relaxation and Well Being

Massage is the working of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. Massage therapy is one of the most common forms of therapy in North America. Massage therapists use long, smooth strokes, kneading and other movements focused on superficial layers of muscle using massage oil or lotion.

Massage therapy improves circulation by bringing oxygen and other nutrients to body tissues. It relieves muscle tension and pain, increases flexibility and mobility, and helps clear lactic acid and other waste, which reduces pain and stiffness in muscles and joints. Massage therapy can be used to relax people with a variety of health conditions; these include back pain, headaches and migraines, muscle and related conditions such as spasms, strains and sprains, and all kinds of circulatory and respiratory problems. Massage therapy is thought to help the body's stress response by lowering levels of hormones such as cortisol. Massage therapy also appears to enhance immune function.

Typically, massage therapy session is between 40 and 90 minutes. In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage will usually begin with a brief consultation and review of symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. The massage therapist uses a light oil or lotion on the skin and begins the massage. A full body massage usually begins on the back and then moves down to the legs. The massage is also applied to the arms, legs, neck, and abdomen. The client is usually underneath the sheet at all times, and in North America, only the part of the body being treated at any one time is uncovered.

One should feel no pain after receiving massage therapy. Occasionally there is mild aching when the massage therapist applies pressure over "knots" and other areas of muscle tension. And sometimes people experience mild temporary aching for a day. On the whole, however, people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment.

Massage therapy is not recommended for certain people. It should not be done immediately after surgery or after a chemotherapy session, unless recommended by your doctor. People with infectious skin disease or open wounds should also avoid massage therapy. Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage. Also, massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

There are many venues to receive massage therapy in British Columbia. Massage Therapy Burnaby, for example, has certified massage therapist who take appointments by phone and through the web. The Canadian Massage Therapists Alliance (CMTA) has set a level of 3000 hours in British Columbia, which has the highest education standard in North America, so you can be sure you're being treated by a professional.