Advanced Massage And Bodywork Clinics

By Etta Bowen


Almost everyone is familiar with bodily aches and pains. They come from sleeping too long in one position, sitting in front of a computer for hours, 'weekend warrior' yard work or sports, or just from having a long day. A soothing massage can work wonders. Advanced massage and bodywork centers specialize in providing relaxation sessions and more in-depth help with injury and chronic pain.

Youth is usually a time of mindless enjoyment of flexibility, energy, and freedom from care. Later on, bodies that once were taken for granted cease to work so smoothly: joints creak, muscles get stiff, backs refuse to straighten up. Tasks that were easy become difficult or even impossible. People can accept this as inevitable or do something about it. Some choose medication, which carries its own risks. A more positive approach involves one or more of the many forms of manual therapy.

Sometimes an injury starts with an incident so trivial it is quickly forgotten. A slip on an icy sidewalk can cause muscles in the back to seize in an instinctive attempt to prevent a fall. If these muscles don't relax, the spine and rib-cage are pulled out of alignment. Initial soreness can become a chronic, painful affliction.

Such misalignment can be corrected by a skilled massage therapist. By relaxing muscles, the therapist can restore bone alignment. The different techniques of stroking, stretching, kneading, pulling, and applying pressure affect superficial and deep tissue. Skeletal and muscular realignment restores proper circulation, which is important for fighting inflammation and for healing.

Manual therapy promotes relaxation, something many of us have forgotten. A simple relaxation session may help by increasing circulation, which promotes healing and reduces inflammation. Stress reduction is important, because every doctor knows that stress is a killer. Addressing this modern-day epidemic with a soothing touch - which has its own emotional and mental benefits - is a more positive approach than resorting to medication.

Going beyond this initial relaxing stage is necessary in cases of injury or chronic pain. After muscles are relaxed, specific areas of concern are further manipulated to promote healing. Sports injuries, back pain, joint immobility, and arthritis all benefit from regular sessions with a skilled therapist. For the ill or elderly, lymphatic drainage helps boost the immune system and the body's natural healing power. The lymph flow in the body is 'pumped' by physical movement, but it can be enhanced by massaging.

Surface massaging helps people relax and can also make them feel energized. Deeper tissues respond to other kinds of manual manipulation. When adhesions are loosened, pain is reduced and mobility is enhanced. Restoring circulation to the area allows the bloodstream to carry nutrients and oxygen that cells need for repair and renewal.

Whether a person needs to relax or be energized (the two are not mutually exclusive), a skilled therapist can help. Injuries will heal faster and more completely, isolated problems can be addressed, and chronic pain can be relieved. Fitness training may play a part in recovery, as strong muscles and good balance are both part of total well-being.




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