The word “endorphin” comes from the two words “endogenous” and “morphine”. Endorphins are small protein molecules that are produced by cells in your nervous system and other parts of your body.

Endorphins have been shown to:

• Control persistent pain.
• Control the craving for chocolate and addictive substances.
• Regulate the production of growth and sex hormones.
• Reduce symptoms associated with eating disorders.

Although more research needs to be done, endorphins are believed to produce four key effects on the body and mind:

• They enhance the immune system.
• They relieve pain.
• They reduce stress.
• They help postpone the aging process.

Several popular healing modalities have been found to stimulate the body’s natural production of endorphins. Endorphins help kill pain. These include:

• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic

What makes Massage Experts unique is that all three modalities are offered. Therefore providing you the best of all three.

There are different types of massage therapies available. For this article, we will just focus on the benefits of Swedish Massage. Massage therapy helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness. It has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions including low back pain, arthritis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, infertility and depression, to name a few.

The term massage covers various methods and ways in order to serve us its purpose well. Some examples of this therapy include acupressure, shiatsu, Thai, deep tissue and Swedish massage which vary in some ways. Moreover, the use of some equipments also aid in this relaxing procedure and new trends now encompass massage chairs aside from having to use oils and rocks. There are many available massage chairs to choose in the market today such as robotic massage chairs and the Panasonic massage chairs. These two are of good benefit most especially in neck and back pains. These are indeed stress busters.

Well, for starters, Swedish massage actually refers to the various styles of muscle relaxation. It is characterized by applying firm but gentle pressure on the upper muscles press against the deeper muscles and bones. It was become one of the most popular massage therapies that individuals who are interested of learning can actually attend massage therapy schooling and specialize in this technique.

Swedish massage stimulates your central nervous system to sooth and calm your nerves. By doing so, it reduces stress and tension in both a physical and psychological sense. This is why Swedish massage is often recommended as an important part of a stress management program for people who are otherwise naturally predisposed to suffering from elevated stress levels.

Your body’s nervous system is responsible for sending, receiving and carrying nerve impulses around your body. It is the main control unit in your body and these nerve impulses allow your organs and muscles to work efficiently. Swedish Massage is notable as an “overall body” massage. Other massages (such as the ones offered at our spa) tend to focus on more specific parts of the body. For instance, a Reflexology massage focuses exclusively on the feet, hands and ears. A deep tissue massage focuses on the muscles more deeply than would be appropriate in a Swedish Massage.

As beneficial as massage can be, it’s not for everyone. If you have any fractures, infections, active cancer, orthopaedic conditions, or skin problems, you need to recover first before having a massage. Consult your therapist. And just how often should you have a Swedish Massage and experience its benefits? As often as you can afford it!

Author has been an expert in various massage therapy treatments as swedish massage, sports massage, reflexology for different ailments of body to mental level. He suggests swedish massage session to everyone to get rid of unwanted stress.

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In the world of massage there exists a variety of styles – everything from Swedish massage to Lymphatic massage, all tailored to produce very specific results. One such massage technique, deep tissue massage, has continued to increase in popularity, due in part to its ability to release an enormous amount of tension in a world where tension reigns on every corner.

Deep tissue massage is also about working with the myofascial system and trigger points. The myofascial system is made up of a web of connective tissue that both wraps around the muscles and compartmentalizes the body. Muscles are made up of many layers of tissue. The place where muscle contraction occurs in the muscle fiber is called a sarcomere. These are microscopic units and it takes millions of them to contract for even the smallest movement.
Normally a person suffering from chronic muscular tension and injury feels the pain emanating from adhesions which are bands of painful tight muscles and tendons. It is generally believed that adhesions block circulation, cause pain and inflammation while it also restricts a person’s mobility. Deep tissue massage is recommended as the therapist physically kneads the adhesions and alleviates pain while helping to restore normal movement. Although slight stiffness or pain can be experienced after the deep tissue massage, the discomfort level normally subsides within a day or so. Often the massage therapist applies ice on the area which has been massaged. Deep tissue massage is also used for relaxation.

Deep tissue massage might not be the best for certain types of people like heart patients or persons under the treatment of chemotherapy. Even for osteoporosis patients, prior consultation with the therapist is advisable. The massage therapist aims at relieving the pain from deeper tissue structures and the treatment can be more uncomfortable than the traditional massage. The primary objective of deep tissue massage is to relax the muscle fibers and release the deeply held patterns of tension in order to soothe the tendon. The deep tissue massage therapy is corrective as well as therapeutic. The deep finger pressure and slow strokes on the tension ridden spots is a combination of touch, biomechanics and positioning options. The massage technique makes use of knuckles, fist, forearms and elbows to help in releasing pressure and tension from the deeper layers of the body.

When considering a deep tissue massage, ensure you choose a therapist you feel comfortable with and one that comes from a reputable organization. Salons, spas, health and fitness clubs typically offer deep tissue massage, or you contact a mobile spa and have a deep tissue massage in the comfort of your own home.

A deep tissue massage is quite helpful in relieving muscle tension and body alignment. Author has a great experience in massage therapies like sports massage, prenatal massage and deep tissue massage and many others.

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“National Massage Therapy Awareness Week is intended to raise public understanding about the benefits of massage and this year we’re pleased that health benefits in particular are a key motivator for people seeking massage,” says Glenath Moyle, AMTA president. “Our recent survey shows that 90 percent of respondents perceive massage as effective in reducing pain and we think this is highly reflective of the good work done every day by our members across the nation.”

Hospitals are taking a cue from this growing trend of massage for health benefits. In a recent survey conducted for the American Hospital Association (AHA) by the Samueli Institute, 42 percent of hospitals surveyed offer some form of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) service, and of those, 64% offer massage for outpatient treatment and 44% for inpatient treatment.

Consumers are also taking notice. According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, respondents indicated that they view deep-tissue massage, along with yoga and Pilates, as effective as prescription medication for the relief of back pain. These survey results build upon the foundation of growing research on this subject. Last year researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles reported findings demonstrating that people who received a Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can ultimately lead to a boost in the immune system.

“National Massage Therapy Awareness Week is a great time for consumers to have a discussion with a massage therapist about the best massage approach for their health needs,” says Moyle. “People can find a professional massage therapist through our free national online locator service.”

Consumers often ask what they can expect from a massage therapist. AMTA has published a list of expectations covering issues of respect and privacy between the massage therapist and client, and to promote dialogue between the two. AMTA’s expectations for the massage recipient and the massage therapist include:

What Should Someone Expect from their Massage & Massage Therapist?

* A clean, safe and comfortable environment before, during and after the massage

* Respect, courtesy, confidentiality and dignity

* Privacy while changing and right to remove clothing only to their level of comfort for the massage

* Draped appropriately by a sheet, towel or blanket, with only the area being massaged exposed

* A licensed/registered/certified professional massage therapist, working within their scope of practice and in an ethical manner

* Option to ask questions of the massage therapist and receive professional responses

* Determine if there will be conversation, music or quiet during the massage

* An explanation of the nature of the massage and techniques to be used in advance of starting the massage

* The right to consent to the massage techniques and approaches, including manual pressure, used in the massage

What Should a Massage Therapist Expect from their Client?

* Respect, courtesy and dignity

* Treated as a healthcare professional

* Timely arrival at massage therapy appointment

* Complete and accurate disclosure of health/medical conditions during intake process

* Communication of expectations of and concerns about the massage

* Payment at time of service

* Reasonable notice (usually 24 hours) in cancelling a massage appointment

About AMTA

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is a non-profit, professional association of more than 56,000 members. AMTA professional members have demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing and must meet continuing education requirements to retain membership. AMTA provides information about massage therapy to the public and works to improve the professional climate for massage therapists. The association also helps consumers and healthcare professionals locate qualified massage therapists nationwide, through AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist free national locator service available at www.findamassagetherapist.org or toll-free at 888-843-2682 [888-THE-AMTA].

Media Contact: Ron Precht 847-905-1649

SOURCE American Massage Therapy Association

(2011, October 24). Americans Are Increasingly Turning to Massage for Health Needs The Free Library. (2011). Retrieved November 23, 2011 from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Americans Are Increasingly Turning to Massage for Health Needs.-a0270628920