Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage, but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. 

Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improvingcirculation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

There are many different types of massage, including these common types:

• Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, softening,  circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax you.
• Deep Tissue massage. This massage technique uses slower, more-focused strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries or tight knotted muscles that have formed mainly over the years.
• Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it's geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.  Pre Sports Massage  will assist in energizing and motivating the body and mind top be more alert before the competition.  A Post Sports massage may assist in preventing cramps and injury from occurring by relaxing the muscles.  As well as bring comfort, ease and wellness to the muscles and body in general so it may recover faster.
•  Shiatsu (Energy Balance) This massage is traditionally done on a mat on the floor or can be done on a table. No oil is used and the client can remain fully clothed. "Point" pressure is the main technique used and is intermixed with other techniques such as softening , stretching, joint rotation and percussion. Breath is also very important and part of this massage, as pressure is applied and should always be smooth, even and gradual, it should be in harmony with the client's breathing.  Shiatsu is designed to increase the flow of purified, relaxed energy by releasing tension and re-balancing the body.     
  
• Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers commonly known as knots that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse or every day stress.
  
• Hot Stone massage. This massage is one of the most relaxing, soothing and therapeutic massages one can receive! By letting the energetic healing properties from the warmth and heat the rocks transmit into the body as they are placed directly or indirectly, with this alone feels good enough to feel complete and relaxed and rested.  The while some stones are assisting to heal and warmth some muscles other parts can be massaged with warm stones.  The smoothness and heat of the rocks feels great and really relaxing!  
  

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/massage/SA00082

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Miguel A. Solis, Jr.
Certified Massage Therapist
CMTC# 34736

Phone: (760) 413-7847
Email: Miguel@ThePowerofTouch.biz

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