Everything You Need to Know About Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a treatment that is most commonly associated with relaxation, but receiving regular massages can provide many different physical and psychological benefits. Just a general massage can substantially decrease overall stress levels, allowing patients to feel rested and refreshed, an option resulting in them having a better quality of sleep after the appointment. Massage therapy is also frequently used to help relieve tension and pain that may be built up within muscles as the massage therapist will use their hands to work out any knots or tightness that has developed due to repetitive movements or stress. There are several different types of massages that can be performed to address specific concerns or health conditions during which the massage therapist may focus on different areas of the body while using different massage techniques. Some common types of massage therapy that are used for the treatment of specific conditions include deep tissue massage, sports massage, prenatal massage, and lymphatic massage.

A good massage therapist will require at least a brief consultation with you before starting the massage to determine if you have any pre-existing health conditions, are taking any medications, or have any concerns that may interfere with a typical massage. They will gather any information that they require from you to ensure that the massage is tailored to treat your specific concerns, focusing more time on one area if the patient expresses increased tension there, and making note of any areas that require less or increased pressure. Your massage therapist will also be respectful of any discomfort you express, specifically regarding any areas of the body that you do not wish to have massaged or keeping the entire body covered with a sheet if preferred. Following the massage, your massage therapist will check in to make sure that you are feeling good and that there was nothing of concern to note throughout the entire process and will provide you with any recovery recommendations to prevent soreness from developing when possible.

First and foremost, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the process or what to expect during the massage, do not hesitate to ask your massage therapist, especially if it is something that will ensure your and the massage therapist’s comfort during the session (i.e. how much to dress down for the massage, what areas of the body will be massaged, how they want you to indicate pressure preferences, etc.). Once you and your massage therapist are on the same page and the massage has started, do not worry about what positions to be in as your massage therapist will help to move your body around however they need in order to give you the best massage possible, and will communicate during the massage if they require you to change your position in a way. This treatment is meant to be a relaxing and therapeutic experience, so try your best to not be self-conscious or worry about how your body looks, your massage therapist is a professional and their only priority is to keep you relaxed and safe during the session. It is recommended that all patients shower before the massage, and avoid eating a large meal right before the massage to prevent any unnecessary discomfort.

On average, it is common to receive a recommendation of 2 massages per month in order to provide longer-term stress and tension relief, but this recommended timeline may shift a bit depending on the specific treatment plan of each patient. For those who are receiving massage therapy for injury prevention during sporting events, massages may be required more frequently to provide the necessary benefits, whereas general relaxing and tune-up massage sessions for the entire body may only be needed every 4 to 6 weeks for the average person. Your massage therapist will be able to provide a beneficial treatment schedule to ensure that each patient is able to receive massages as frequently as required to optimize the benefits.You can contact us directly or book an appointment online – whichever way works best for you. We are conveniently located at 1408 North Killian Dr. Suite 201, Lake Park Fl 33403. We serve clients from Lake Park FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, West Palm Beach FL, North Palm Beach FL, Jupiter FL, Juno FL, and all surrounding areas.