Orthopedic Massage Therapy
What is Orthopedic Massage Therapy?
Orthopedic massage therapy is a form
of massage that combines techniques of several different massage techniques—including both medical and sports forms. Orthopedic massage is used on a person when they have pain or have injuries in order to help relieve the pain during injury, as well as to promote faster healing.
Orthopedic massage has three main elements, regardless of the injury or medical treatment involved: assessing the injury, matching the treatment to the injury, and adapting of the treatment as necessary.
What are the benefits of orthopedic massage?
Orthopedic massage has many benefits to offer, including the following:
• Increased blood circulation—this can help to heal an injury.
• Decreased pain—the massage itself, as well as the side effects caused by the massage, can help to relieve pain.
• Relaxation—not only can this reduce pain in the injured area, but it can also help to promote healing by relaxing the muscles near the injured area
• Realigns tissues—this can help relieve pain, promote healing in injuries, as well as prevent injuries.
• Reduces tension—this is a great benefit whether it is preventative or used as a pain relief (such as for sprains, etc.).
• Enhanced performance—orthopedic massage is used by many athletes regularly to enhance their performance.
• Strengthening—this can be helpful with enhancing performance, but it is most helpful to those who have had an injury and have been unable to use certain muscles in their body due to the injury. When this happens, the muscle will begin to deteriorate over time and orthopedic massage can help strengthen those muscles again.
Will I experience discomfort after a massage?
People who have received a massage for the first time frequently report slight soreness in muscle groups following the session. Muscles that have been in spasm or have maintained a very tight muscle tone or "armor" over a long period of time may resist relaxation at first. Massage can actually "interrupt" the holding pattern. This change in the tone of the muscle resulting from physical manipulation, can feel awkward. Sometimes a muscle group is so tight that sensation is minimized. After a massage the sensation is sometimes recovered and alerts us to the once hidden sensation in that area. Sensation of heat or "vibration" can sometimes be felt in the muscles as you experience the contrast between tightness and relaxation.Many people report pleasant sensations accompanied by a comfortable at ease attitude after a massage. Some report that they have access to more energy. Several sessions, when scheduled more closely together, can reduce the overall "body armor" more completely. Massage assists in draining off the stress far below the pain threshold.
I Just received a massage and I feel sick, is this normal?
Some people report a flu-like feeling or ache all over after a massage. This is due to the movement of the toxins which have been lying dormant within the lymphatic system and muscles. Toxins are pushed off into the lymphatic fluid,
which has the consistency of aloe plant gel, and flushed out of our bodies. Massage offers the body an opportunity to move these unwanted by-products.
I feel sleepy after my massage should I be concerned?
Feelings of sleep or deep relaxation are common. It can be helpful to listen to these body signals, rest, and move slowly. Emotions can surface during or after a massage. Muscle tension is one of the body's creative ways of protecting us from our own feelings as well as others' attitudes and feelings. Be gentle with yourself.