Massage Therapy In Scottsdale

There are many reasons why people get massages There are some who get a massage regularly as a means of relaxation. There some who get a massage as a way to help treat an injury or a medical condition. There are a few types of massage and each one will do something different to your body.

Overview

Massage therapy is performed by a licensed and trained professional (massage therapist) that uses techniques involving their hands, fingers, elbows, knees, or forearms to manipulate the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia) for therapeutic purposes. [1]

Skeletal muscles allow your body to move, play a role in breathing mechanics, protect organs and aide in maintaining posture and balance. [2]

When muscles are damaged through trauma (small or large), the body lays scar tissue down in a haphazard pattern which can make it harder to move in certain ways.    When this occurs, there is decreased circulation, increased tightness or pain.

Massage therapy has been around for over a thousand years.    There are references to massage in old writings from China, Japan, India, Arabic nations, Egypt, Greece and Rome. ^[3]

Thanks to two physicians from New York, George and Charles Taylor, who were studying massage therapy in Sweden, massage was introduced to the United States in the 1850s and is now a common practice throughout the states. ^[4]

Why is massage done?

When skeletal muscles have adhesions and the surrounding soft tissues are non-pliable, it becomes harder to move, there is pain, tightness, a decrease in strength, and can cause irritability and stress to the patient.

Massage therapy is great for:

• Decreasing pain and muscle tension
• Improving circulation
• Improving flexibility and range of motion
• Improve muscle performance/strength
• Treating a variety of injuries
• Reducing stress
• Relaxation

Risks and Complications of massage therapy

Risks associated with massages are typically very low but there are some:

• • Common. (Usually resolve within 72 hours)
    • Muscular soreness (like after a workout)
    • Bruising (mostly mild)
    • Aggravation of existing injuries
  • Rare.
    • muscle/ligament injuries
    • nerve/neurological injuries
    • vascular injuries

How you prepare for a massage

There is no special preparation needed before your massage, but staying hydrated can improve outcomes of your session, and while showering before is not necessary, it is appreciated.    Keep your appointment, let us know if there are any changes.    There is a $30 re-scheduling fee if we are not given 24-hour notice.

First time clients should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time to fill out a short intake form to indicate any conditions the massage therapist should be aware of.

What you can expect before massage

A massage therapist will greet, talk about the session to address preferences/areas of the body and bring the client to their room.    10 minutes (5 before, 5 after) ^[5] are allocated for consultation and dressing.

The therapist will step out of the room and allow clients to undress to their level of comfort (i.e., fully disrobed, fully clothed or partially clothed), and lay underneath a top sheet/blanket on a massage table.

How it’s done/specific kinds of Massage

During the massage therapy session, clients are always covered with sheets using proper draping techniques. Therapists will only uncover areas they are working on.    Private areas will never be exposed.

There are a variety of techniques used by massage therapists.    Our massage therapists use the following techniques:

• • • Swedish Massage is the most common type as it will relax the whole body. The Swedish massage was developed through a, Dutch practitioner Johann Georg Mezger, when he gave French names to the basic strokes. ^[6]

During a Swedish massage, the therapist will use sliding or gliding strokes, kneading, tapping, rhythmic tapping, cross friction or vibration/shaking while rubbing the body. ^[7] The therapist works using strokes that follow the blood returning to the heart.

Studies show Swedish massage can reduce chronic pain, fatigue, ^{[8] [9]}

• • • Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage aims to relax muscle tension in the low back and hips, decrease stress/anxiety, improve circulation, and decrease swelling with gentle pressure. ^[11] During a prenatal massage, the massage therapist uses relaxing strokes while Mom is on her back or side.

Research shows women can reap the benefits of pregnancy massage at any time (1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimesters) ^[12] , improve labor outcomes and their newborn’s health.

• • • Medical/Clinical Deep tissue Massage is a technique where the therapist will focus more on the deepest layer of the muscles where the perpetual discomfort and tension is released. The massage therapist will also focus on the tendons and the fascia which is a thin layer that surrounds the joints, bones, and muscles.    The massage therapist targets areas of concern to alleviate symptoms related to nerve impingement, muscular strains and ligamentous sprains.

While there is no true “Medical massage,” “Clinical massage” or “Deep tissue massage” specific technique, ^[13] it can better be described as a collection of modalities

• • • Myofascial release is a technique that works on releasing adhered fascia and muscles.    Myofascial release involves shearing compression/tension in the motion of the tissue, cross fiber friction or skin rolling ^[15] with the goal of eliminating pain, promoting strength, increasing range of motion and balancing muscular/postural tensions.
    • Trigger point massage focuses on deactivating trigger points that cause local and referred pain. In trigger point massage, the massage therapist applies direct pressure to the point of pain and is sustained until there is a release in the tissue. ^[16] Sports massage is a comprehensive type of massage that aims to improve recovery time, enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. ^[17] More attention is placed on stimulating the flow of blood and lymph to sport specific muscles and massage therapists use direct point pressure, cross fiber friction, compression, and percussion. Dependent upon the goal, sports massage can be done before activity in order to elevate athletic performance, boost endurance, or prevent injury by increasing flexibility/elasticity, or after physical activity to promote more rapid tissue recovery, reduce pain, and minimize muscle fatigue.    Overall, sports massage is great at keeping the body at optimal condition.
      

Deep tissue massage has multiple benefits. There have been studies that have shown that when a person gets a deep tissue massage for 45 minutes or more can actually cause their blood pressure to decrease. A deep tissue massage can also relieve stress. During the massage, stress hormones are reduced and the heart rate increases. This triggers the release of serotonin and oxytocin, which promotes a deep relaxation.

The massage therapist may ask a few questions during the session about pressure and how comfortable the client is; however, clients may talk as much or little as they desire. Once the massage therapist has ended the session, the therapist will leave the room and allow the client to get dressed.

After a Massage

The massage therapist will be waiting for you, will have a cup of water waiting for you and give instructions about after care.

Clients that enjoyed their experience, are welcome to reschedule with the same therapist and/or tip their therapist (standard hospitality rate is 20%). ^[18] Envelopes for each therapist are available at the front desk for cash tips and credit card tips are added onto the therapist’s paycheck.

After your Massage, you may experience some minor side effects such as minor soreness. These symptoms are normal and usually last 48-72 hours.

There are typically no restrictions after massages.    You will be able to resume normal activities or go back to work after receiving a massage.

Massage success rates – does it work?

Research suggests that massage is great at treating sports injuries, muscle aches and pains, headaches and depression/anxiety.

References