What are the health benefits of massage?
Massage therapy has hundreds of reported health benefits. Most of them have been scientifically proven and over the last years more and more health insurance agency have begun to include massage therapy as part of the benefits covered in their health care packages. Some of the most noticeable benefits of massage therapy include more relaxation and less pain. This means that massage therapy can be used to treat stress, anxiety and depression, among other. Regular sessions with a certified massage therapist has helped thousands of people reduce and even eliminate the use of some of their medications and synthetic drugs used to treat these illnesses and diseases. This means that, in some cases, people can choose massage therapy as an alternative medicine method to replace their use of antidepressants and pain killers.
Along with these evident benefits massage therapy helps hundreds (probably thousands) of ailments and conditions by reducing muscular, fascia, nerve and joint pain, improving the skin, lymph circulation, digestion, posture, movement, flexibility, range of motion, relaxation, sleep and both internal and external organ functions. Massage therapy can help prevent diseases, injuries and illnesses by strengthening the immune system, lowering blood pressure, increasing systemic energy, encouraging deeper breathing and getting rid of headaches and migraines. All these benefits can help you improve your health and wellbeing as well as making you more beautiful inside and out. When working with a skilled and experienced certified massage therapist it is also possible to relieve and even release past trauma stored in the body, mind, heart and spirit. Some of the people I have worked with have been able to use their massage therapy sessions to process and heal family issues and even deeper problems. You can learn more about all this on this article called The Holistic Benefits of Massage Therapy.
Is it healthy to get massages regularly?
Regular massage therapy sessions is very healthy and in many cases it is recommended by doctors and surgeons as a complementary part of a specific treatment. A single massage therapy session is a wonderful way of addressing acute problems such as pain and stress but regular massage therapy sessions will allow you to take care of chronic conditions as well. It is possible to successfully address chronic conditions on a single session as well. Last week, for example, I was visited by a woman who had been having chronic neck pain for the past two years. This was also causing her regular headaches and migraines as well as a number of issues such as anxiety, depression and irritability. After our first session we were able to release some of her neck muscles and by the time she came back for her next session the neck pain was completely gone. She even told me that she had forgotten about it and it has not come back since.
Regular massage therapy is especially beneficial for those people who do not exercise regularly or get any form of human touch. In today’s modern society it is very common for many people to spend days, weeks and even years without any form of physical affection. According to some scientist this is one of the leading causes for anxiety and depression. It is easy to research and find many case studies proving the amazing healing effects of human touch and how it is used to improve health and well-being.
In addition, regular massage therapy sessions can be used for improving fitness levels and keeping the body functioning at a higher level of efficiency. Professional athletes get regular massage therapy session to relieve pain, improve their performance and prevent injuries. Other people like to have weekly massage therapy sessions to treat themselves to a time of relaxation and self-care.
Where can I get the best massage in the world?
There are many cities in the world known for their massage therapy services. The truth is that now days you can get an excellent massage all over the globe. In the United States alone there are over 300,000 certified massage therapists. Some of them have been practicing for decades and others finished school last week. There are many factors that contribute to a massage therapists greatness and ability to provide an amazing massage. A huge factor is the number of classes they have taken and the amount of hours they have spent in class. A massage therapists who has taken 20 different classes and more than a thousand hours of class will have more skills and techniques that someone who only did the basic massage therapy certification course. Another factor is the years of experience, as a general rule, more experience translates to a better massage, however, this is not always the case as some therapist who have been in the field for many years end up getting burned out and losing their skills.
The most important factor for me is the therapist’s sensitivity and ability to tune in to the client’s needs. I have heard multiple cases of people who receive massage therapy sessions from highly educated and experienced massage therapists but they did not enjoy their session because their needs were unmet. Other elements include set and setting and the extra props used during the massage such as essential oils, hot towels and other treats. At the end of the day, each person is different and a great massage therapist for some may be horrible for others. The best way to find the best massage in the world for you is to explore your options and try different people until you find the one that is right for you. Communication is very important for an optimal massage therapy session and you will want to find someone who you can trust and build a relationship over time.
If you ever find yourself in California I welcome you to contact me for a massage therapy session. I offer massage therapy in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles at affordable prices and I am also open to giving discounts to those in need. I also supplement my sessions by recommending exercises and lifestyle changes to support the benefits of massage therapy.
Would you rather give a massage or receive a massage?
I like both giving and receiving massages but if I had to choose I would rather receive. Giving a massage is a beautiful experience, I consider it one of the most beneficial things one can do for another human being. Giving a massage is all about giving and helping the other person feel good and better. It is all about service and being useful and helpful to the other person. Massage therapy can be of huge benefit for some people, I have had experiences where people cried of joy while receiving a massage from me it can be very profound. I remember I cried when I received my first massage, it completely transported me to different place where I felt at ease and in a state we don’t often get to experience.
A couple of weeks ago I gave a massage to a client who shared his experience with me after we finished the session. He told me that while I was working on his neck and shoulders he completely “zoned-out”, his mind became completely quiet and he felt a tremendous amount of bliss and joy. He described it as being on a state of nirvana. For a moment I thought he was joking but I could tell by his voice and the look on his face that he was telling the truth. He also shared how during the massage he thought about his mother and how much love he felt for her. He said that they had not talked for years because of the separation that his addictions had created between them. After the massage he resolved to calling her and expressing his appreciation for her. I felt honored to listen to him sharing and for being able to create a safe healing place for him to experience that.
Giving massages can be very rewarding. I can help people relieve their pain, relax, feel better and be better to others by being happier within themselves. Some people experience profound changes during and after their massage therapy sessions and it is a beautiful experience to be part of that and know that you are making a positive impact on someone’s lives. On the other hand, giving a massage can be very draining on your body. Most massages last an hour but some of them go as long as two hours. Throughout this time you are constantly moving around, standing on your feet and using your arms and hands to massage the body. Some massage therapy techniques such as the Indian Thai massage, the Chinese Tuina massage and the Hawaiian style called Lomi Lomi are specially taxing on the body. These modalities require lifting the client’s body and moving joints to improve range of motion and flexibility. Giving massages can be quite a workout and quite draining if you do more than three in one day. It is important for massage therapists to follow a good diet, get lots of sleep and rest whenever we have a chance. The better we feel, the better work we will be able to provide.
With that being said it is clear to me that receiving a massage is the better end of the stick. When receiving you get to lay down and enjoy. You do not have to do anything other than breath and give into the experience. It is a great opportunity to allow and let your self be taken care of. Most people on the modern world are all about doing, doing and doing. Our minds and bodies are constantly rushing from one place to the next and we seldom get a chance to relax and give in to gravity and the kindness of others. Receiving a massage can be a life changing experience as it was for me after receiving my first session. After all these years being a massage therapist and body worker it is crazy for me to think that I lived for so long without receiving a massage. I definitely recommend everyone to give it a try.
If you have any comments or questions feel free to contact me. I hope you enjoy this article. Take care.
Bruno Treves
