Top Ten Things You Should Know Before Getting a Massage
January 12, 2012
By: Gwen Wright, Owner, Ntouch Massage & Spa, Edmond OK
Massage has been around for thousands of years and is practiced world wide as a supplement to health care. It can treat a variety of ailments and injuries that may occur as a result of exercise, stress, injury, surgery and other common everyday activities. It also has other benefits that allow you to live healthy with less stress, exercise more efficiently and leave you with an overall sense of well being. Consider these other benefits:
· Drains away fatigue
· Improves and promotes flexibility
· Creates instant relaxation and reduces stress
· Relieves pain
· Prevents injuries
· Improves circulation
· Stimulates muscle and tissue
Receiving a therapeutic massage is one thing that is memorable, enjoyable and something you will want to repeat. Whether you’re ultimate goal is to completely relax with a slow, soothing massage, ensure a comfortable pregnancy, improve your sports performance, relieve muscular pain or chronic tension, massage will help you achieve your goals.
There are numerous varieties of massage available. The most commonly offered massage techniques by Ntouch and other professional clinics include:
1. Swedish Massage - an extremely relaxing massage using gliding strokes, kneading, friction, and striking strokes together with gentle stretching and rocking. This is probably the most common form of massage available and widely practiced in most clinics.
2. Deep Tissue Massage - massage of the deeper musculature and connective tissue to release chronic tension and pain. It's often a firmer massage that is appreciated by experienced clients. People new to massage should ask their Therapist before requesting a Deep Tissue Massage.
3. Sports Massage - massage to assist the athlete in preparing for and recovering from sports events. Sports massage has variations that could be performed immediately in advance of sports events, between events, and immediately following events.
4. Hot Stone Massage - perhaps the most relaxing and luxurious massages you can get. Heated stones seemingly melt away tension and stress. Hot Stone Massage provides some great benefits of a Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage together with localized heat treatments from the stones.
5. Aromatherapy Massage - a very relaxing and massage therapy incorporating the benefits of both massage and essential oils for an incredible effect you are going to love.
6. Pregnancy Massage - massage for the mother-to-be helping her to decrease pain and discomfort during the entire pregnancy and ultimately may help with a easier delivery.
Neo- Natal or Infant Massage- Helps improve bond with new infant, promotes better sleep, and facilitates body awareness including improving sensory stimulation and blood circulation.
7. Neuromuscular Therapy - advanced pain relief targeting specific trigger points in muscles, tendons, and attachment sites. Neuromuscular Remedy is a primary way of finding and relieving referred pain. Be sure to request a therapist that is trained in medical massage.
8. Lymphatic Drainage Massage - specifically for decreasing swelling and edema in addition to improving the circulation of the body's lymph. It's detoxifying and many think it improves the immune system too. Be sure to request a therapist that is trained in medical massage
In addition to the more commonly practiced massage techniques; Ntouch receives a lot of request for other sorts of popular massage techniques.
9. You may consider trying a special treat once you get a massage, like Couples Massage where a couple can receive their massage together in the same massage room with two massage therapists. During the couples massage each member of the couple can choose to receive a different massage from that of their partner.
10. Or, for the true massage therapy enthusiast, try Ashiatsu. Ashiatsu is an ancient art, where the feet glide effortlessly over the contours of the client's body. Special Ashiatsu cream facilitates the hypnotic movements of the routine. The therapist primarily use their feet to deliver a massage with truly unique benefits for the client. Utilizing a fixed bar system (that is suspended from the ceiling above a standard massage table) to work your back, shoulders and neck, they literally use and control the pressure applied with their upper body. It combines Swedish, Neuromuscular and Deep Tissue compression techniques that are applied to the body with the therapist feet. Thus it gives the therapist a break as well giving the hands, thumbs and arms a rest. The pressure can be as light as a Swedish massage or the deepest massage a therapist can give. It is simply one of the most luxurious treatments available. Be sure to seek a qualified and trained Ashiatsu specialist. Ntouch is one of only a small number of facilities that can offer this service and have a trained and certified therapist available by appointment.
So what’s stopping you from receiving the benefits of massage? Ntouch offers you a relaxing, stress reducing, pain relieving experience, so get one today and learn firsthand of the benefits that massage offers.