Massage therapy uses a variety of pressures, movements, and specialized techniques to manipulate muscles and soft tissues. There are about 80 different styles of massage that offer different options in terms of pressure and technique intended to address different concerns. When it comes to treating pain and/or injuries, the following techniques are beneficial:
Deep Tissue
Deep tissue massages are ideal for chronic muscle pain, tight muscles, or muscle injury. This massage technique uses significant, sustained pressure in the form of slow strokes in order to reach deep tissues. For this reason, it is considered to be a more intense massage. Deep tissue massages relieve muscle tension by breaking up scar tissue, increasing blood flow, and reducing inflammation. On average a deep tissue massage will last about 90 minutes. Following a deep tissue massage, you may experience some lingering soreness. Ice packs or heating pads can usually manage this.
Sports Massage
Sports massages are ideal for athletes who have pain from a repetitive use injury or hard training. Additionally, sports massages can also prevent sports injuries through increased flexibility and performance. During a sports massage, your massage therapist will use alternating soothing strokes and deep pressure. This massage can be performed as a full-body massage or it can be localized to a specific area. Like deep tissue massages, sports massages last about 60-90 minutes.
Lymphatic Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body. The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from bodily tissues. Lymphatic massage technique directs the movement of lymphatic fluid toward the heart so that the body circulation can be improved. Lymphatic massage can be useful to help control swelling. It is also being effectively used in cancer and post-cancer patients to help with lymphedema.
Structural Integration
Structural Integration is a form of bodywork that uses deep-tissue massage, myofascial release, and movement education techniques to release restrictive patterns of tension in the body’s connective tissue, increasing postural ease, and movement freedom. It is often used to treat chronic pain, tension headaches, and other health conditions. The way you’ve used your body; hobbies, work, athletics, injuries, and experience are physically recorded as patterns in the fascial network that connects every cell in the body. Structural work can help enhance the way you use your body and help shed the patterns that are no longer serving you.
Injury Massage
Injury Massage focuses on speeding up recovery for injured and strained muscles causing pain and discomfort. This specialized work is helpful for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder, whiplash, chronic headaches, and more. It expedites healing by increasing circulation, releasing tight muscles, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue regeneration. Injury massage not only assists in recovering from existing injuries but also reduces the risk of future injury.
Which massage is right for me?
Some massage techniques, such as deep tissue, may not be ideal for certain individuals. Additionally, one specific technique may prove to be more beneficial for your condition than other techniques. Our massage therapists use cupping, stretching and trigger point work to help muscles release and heal. Dr. Clouthier and our experienced massage therapists will be able to determine the best type of massage or combination of techniques that are best suited for you.