The Massage & Bodywork Bucket List

What has been your experience with receiving massages and bodywork? Do you know there are several different types? I never knew the amazing benefits of massage therapy until I actually received it for myself and back then still didn’t know much about the industry. I always assumed that massages were just offered at a spa for relaxation and a special luxury treat when you had some extra money. Well, I was wrong! It wasn’t really my fault. I was never educated about the benefits of bodywork and how many different types of care out there.

Indications of Massage Therapy

There are endless reasons one would go for a massage. Besides just having some quiet time to yourself to unwind and control stress, below is a list of some good reasons to schedule regular massages. Click here to see a more detailed list. I recommend going once per month for wellness visits and more often if you have any chronic pain or injuries.

• Chronic Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain
• Migraines, Tension, and Sinus Headaches
• Central Nervous System Disorders
• Orthopedic Problems
• Chronic Fatigue
• Anxiety and Depression
• Stress and Tension-Related Problems
• Fibromyalgia
• Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

4 Types of Massages to Consider

Swedish Massage utilizes gentle pressure to ease muscle tension, increase circulation and relieve stress on the nervous system.  The benefits of this type of bodywork include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels, enhanced mental clarity, and greater flexibility.  Classic smooth, gliding techniques are used to induce a state of complete relaxation. Choose a Swedish massage if you need to calm down and like a soft and relaxing touch.

Sports Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people. It enhances athletic performance by helping to prevent injury, reduce pain and swelling in the body, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates. Choose a Sports Massage if you are very active in the gym or with a sport, need relief from sore muscles and want to feel more flexible.

Orthopedic Massage is a style of massage therapy focused on treating painful conditions that affect the soft tissues of the body.  It involves releasing tense muscles, helping to stretch and lengthen tight muscles and tendons, and decompress rigid joints. Choose an Orthopedic Massage if you suffer from a chronic or acute musculoskeletal condition and need pain relief.

Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. It is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries.  Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement.  Choose a Deep Tissue Massage if you have chronically tense areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, sore shoulders and if you can handle a firmer touch.

2 Must Try Types of Bodywork

Myofascial Therapy is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. This highly specialized stretching technique provides sustained pressure into connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.  Fascia is elastic connective tissue very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, liver, brain and spinal cord.

CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system- comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.  By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease and is effective for a wide range of medical problems.

Add To Your Bucket List

There are so many other types of massage and bodywork to explore!

Hot Stone, Aromatherapy, Reiki, Reflexology, Trigger Point, Prenatal, Acupressure, Lomi Lomi, Neuromuscular, Chair Massage, Thai, Shiatsu, and several more!

Massage Therapy for Self Care

Adding massage therapy and bodywork to your wellness plan will help you cope with the stresses of life as well as help your body stay active, improve mobility, relieve acute and chronic pain and reduce stress on the body. At one time or another, we all feel muscular tension and stiffness in our muscles and joints. This type of bodywork will help to restore normal movement, prevent injuries and give you a sense of balance in your mind and body. I wish that I discovered massage sooner in my life because it has been a lifesaver for me to deal with Anxiety and several injuries I have had in the past. Most of all I need it every 3 to 4 weeks for pain reduction, mobility and anxiety relief.

Don’t let yourself think it is just for a special occasion or to treat yourself once per year. There is plenty of scientific evidence to prove massage works extremely well for pain and stress management so think about adding it to your wellness plan. It is worth saving up for so value yourself and your health! You would be surprised if you cut out other non-essential expenses you can afford the things you value most.

When you set your health goals, be sure to make your regular massage sessions part of your plan. This is a form of health maintenance that can pay you big benefits in the way you feel and can contribute to improved body function in the future.

Find the Best Therapists

If you need any help finding a qualified practitioner, I suggest looking at the American Massage Therapy Association website to find someone in your area. Just as a gentle reminder…please don’t call us masseuses because it has a negative connotation and that term is associated with massage parlors that are less than desirable. We like to be called Massage Therapists because the majority of us are well educated and licensed (in most states) and we take our profession very seriously. For more information on the benefits of massage therapy and research click here. Tell me about your experience and what your favorite type of massage is!

Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage stress, chronic pain, and anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.

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