Research has shown that massage therapy is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. There are various types of massage therapy. Each of these techniques focuses on treating different conditions and parts of the body. If you are considering massage therapy, here are some of the popular techniques:
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage therapy is a type of full-body massage therapy that is great for those who have a lot of tension but are sensitive to touch as it is gentle. The main purpose of a Swedish massage is to help a person relax but it can also be used to treat minor pain. A session normally involves kneading, long strokes, and deep circular motion along with other techniques.
Deep tissue massage
If you have chronic muscle pain and tightness, injury or imbalance, you may want to consider a deep tissue massage. During a deep tissue massage session, a registered massage therapist (RMT) will slowly stroke your muscles and apply deep pressure with their fingers. This will help to relieve tensions in the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. Even though a deep tissue massage is intense, it should not cause any pain or soreness.
Sports massage
If you regularly participate in sporting activities and have sustained injuries due to repetitive use of certain muscles, a sports massage is what you need. This type of massage therapy can treat pain and muscle tension. A sports massage is great for preventing injuries as well. With regular sports massages, you will notice more flexibility and better performance. A sports massage can treat anxiety too. Depending on your complaints, your RMT can perform a full-body sports massage or focus specifically on the affected areas. Sports massages use both deep pressure and soothing strokes.
Trigger point massage
A trigger point is an area with muscle tightness that causes pain in other areas. Trigger point massage therapy treats this problem. With a trigger point massage, your registered massage therapist will relieve the tension in the affected areas to reduce your pain. This type of massage includes gentle, relaxing strokes and strong, deep pressure. Although your RMT will focus mainly on trigger points, they will massage your entire body as well.
Prenatal massage
If you are experiencing body aches, stress and muscle tension because you are pregnant, prenatal massage therapy can help. A prenatal massage is similar to a Swedish massage and focuses on the lower back, hips and legs. Although you can get a prenatal massage at any point in your pregnancy, you may want to wait until after your first trimester as then there will be a lower risk of complications.
Do you need a Burnaby massage therapist?
If you need any of the above-mentioned types of massage therapy in Burnaby, contact us at Pacific Health Sports Therapy. Pacific Health Sports Therapy is a Burnaby chiropractic and massage therapy clinic located near New Westminster and Coquitlam. For your convenience, we are open 7 days a week. And we’re here to help you, whether you were recently injured, battling chronic pain or simply looking to improve your overall health and movement. So, what are you waiting for? Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our Burnaby registered massage therapists or for us to answer any questions you may have.