Massage therapy is one form of alternative therapy that is widely used to relieve the symptoms of certain diseases. This therapy can not only provide a relaxing effect, but is also effective for dealing with stress and relieve pain.
Massage is the activity of putting pressure on the limbs, especially the skin, muscles, and veins, with certain techniques or methods. Massage therapy can be found in various places, from salons, spas, to the services of traditional massage therapists who can be called home.
In fact, you can also enjoy massage services using massage tools or chairs at affordable prices in shopping centers.
Types of Massage Therapy
Massage can be done with various techniques. The following are some types of massage therapy that are known to be safe to do:
Deep tissue massage (deep tissue massage)
If the body feels stiff and painful, this type of massage therapy is suitable because the therapist will focus on applying pressure to the layers of muscles, tendons, and other tissues beneath the skin's surface. In addition, deep tissue massage can also relieve muscle injuries, such as sprains.
Acupressure massage (acupressure massage)
This massage method is done by applying pressure to certain body parts or also called acupressure points. Applying pressure at this point is believed to overcome blockages, improve flow, and restore energy balance in the body.
In addition, acupressure massage therapy can also relieve pain and relieve the side effects of chemotherapy.
Thai massage (Thai massage)
In contrast to massage therapy in general, Thai massage performed on a mat and requires the person being massaged to be active. This massage therapy uses pulling, stretching, and movement techniques that resemble yoga.
Reflexology
The reflexology method is quite popular with the public. This massage technique generally focuses on specific points on the body, especially the hands and feet, which have millions of nerves and are connected to various organs in the body.
By doing foot and hand reflexology, it is believed to be able to detect and overcome health problems that are being experienced.
Hot stone massage (hot stone massage)
Hot stone massage suitable for those of you who often experience complaints of pain or muscle tension. This massage method uses stones that have been warmed to increase blood flow in the body.
Not only that, the hot stone massage method can also relieve muscle tension and reduce the pain experienced.
Aromatherapy massage
Aromatherapy massage is actually similar to regular massage, only using aromatherapy when massaging. The massage will focus on the back, shoulders, and head and generally lasts 60–90 minutes.
In this massage method, you can choose the essential aroma that you like, so that you become more comfortable, calm, and relaxed during the massage.
In addition, there are other conditions that massage therapy can help with, such as during pregnancy. Massage during pregnancy can relieve stress, swelling of the legs and arms, and muscle and joint pain.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Health
Apart from being a relaxation method, massage therapy can also provide various other health benefits, namely:
1. Relieves headaches
Massage therapy can be useful to relieve headaches, including migraines. Studies show that massage therapy can relieve pain symptoms and improve sleep quality in people who experience frequent headaches or migraines.
2. Relieve back pain
A study revealed that massage can treat symptoms of chronic back pain. However, the benefits of massage therapy as a method of treating back pain still require further research.
3. Reduce joint pain
Pain and stiffness in the joints is a fairly common complaint. This condition can be caused by arthritis or osteoarthritis.
Studies show that massage therapy can be used as an adjunct therapy to relieve pain and improve joint movement in people with arthritis.
4. Reduce stress
Massage therapy is known to help the body to increase the four types of hormones that cause feelings of happiness, namely serotonin, dopamine, endorphins, and oxytocin.
The increase in these hormones can certainly make the body more relaxed so that the stress that was previously felt will be reduced.
5. Improve sleep quality
Regular massage has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety levels and improve sleep quality. This is because massage can trigger the release of the hormone serotonin, a hormone that can cause a sense of calm.
Massage therapy has also been shown to be beneficial not only for adults, but also for children and adolescents.
6. Stimulate the formation of muscle tissue
Paralysis, stroke, muscle atrophy, or multiple sclerosis There are several types of conditions that can cause muscle tissue to shrink. To re-stimulate the formation of the shrinking muscle tissue, massage therapy can be done as additional therapy for people with this condition.
In addition, research also states that massage therapy is useful for relieving symptoms due to certain conditions, such as digestive and nervous disorders, muscle injuries, insomnia, and joint pain.
In addition to some of the things above, massage therapy can be a means of relaxation and reduce symptoms or side effects of cancer treatment. Massage can also build the immune system, relieve pain, swelling, fatigue, and nausea.
Risks of Massage Therapy
Although it has various health benefits, massage therapy can also come with risks, especially if it is not done by a professional therapist. Following are some of the risks:
- Fracture
- Bone shift or dislocation
- Bruises or bruises
- Nervous disorders
- tingling
- Internal bleeding
- Allergic reaction to massage oil or lotion
The various risks above are more likely to occur in people with certain health conditions, such as:
- Fracture
- Osteoporosis
- deep vein thrombosis (DVT), This is a condition when blood clots form inside the body
- Bleeding disorders or are taking blood-thinning medications
- Burns or wounds that have not healed completely
- Thrombocytopenia or lack of platelets in the blood
Therefore, if you have certain medical conditions, you should first consult a doctor before doing massage therapy.
Some Tips to Get Massage Therapy Safely
As previously mentioned, massage therapy can be risky if it is not carried out by a trained therapist. The following are some tips you can do to minimize the risks of massage therapy:
- Tell the therapist if you have certain conditions, such as pregnant, have an illness, or have a physical injury. In addition, also inform the history of the disease that has been suffered.
- Make sure the therapist used is certified or has gone through various trainings. You can also ask what guarantees can be given if certain side effects occur after a massage.
- Tell the therapist what you want the massage to be. Is it just relaxation or to treat certain diseases.
- Do not hesitate to ask the therapist to lighten the massage, if the massage is too hard.
- If you are allergic to certain ingredients, make sure that the lotion or oil you use for massage does not contain these ingredients.
Massage therapy can be done as a form of relaxation to release tension and stress. In addition, this therapy can also relieve pain. Even so, massage therapy cannot replace medical treatment, especially for complaints or pain that is quite severe.
If the complaints you feel do not improve or even get worse after massage therapy, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.