subject: Defeat Stress And Let Go By Way Of A Relaxing Massage Therapist [print this page] A massage therapist is trained in the art of "touch" therapy, which was designed to provide relief from pain, to sooth overworked, tired muscles, to reduce stress and tension, assist with the rehabilitation process after surgery or injury and promote an overall feeling of well-being. This is accomplished this by the expert manipulation of the soft tissue muscles of the body, in this very popular form of bodywork.
Massage therapists can specialize in many different types of techniques - called modalities. Some message therapists choose to use exaggerated longer strokes, while others use quick, thumping strokes with a cupped or closed hand.
Your massage therapist will also help in determining how long your sessions need to be, depending on your current health conditions and improvement objectives. Your massage therapist will prescribe a session from as long as 2 hours to as little as 5 - 10 minutes. There are also massage techniques aimed at the needs of particular individuals, such as:
Pregnant women - prenatal massage;
New mothers - infant massage;
Athletes - sports massage;
Seniors - geriatric massage.
When choosing a massage therapist, take as much care as when choosing your primary care physician. Don't be shy about asking questions; it's your body and you have a right to know how it is being treated. Massage therapy delivered at the hands of an untrained massage therapist can have serious consequences.
So how does it all work? Massage therapists work by appointment and usually before beginning your session, yours will have a discussion with you to review your overall medical health history and what your goals for improvement include. By knowing this, you and your massage therapist can decide together which techniques are the right fit for you.
As discussed before, there are many techniques - or modalities - used in massage therapy. If after the initial discussion with your massage therapist it is determined that you need a type of therapy other than what he or she is trained in, they may refer you to another specialist. If during your massage therapy session, you experience any type of discomfort, inform your massage therapist immediately.
Some massage therapists prefer to use oils or lotions while administering various techniques, but that's entirely up to you and him/her. Depending on the type of massage you choose, you may be asked to disrobe. You will then be given a blanket, sheet or towel to cover your body, so only the area being treated will be exposed at any given time.
Massage therapists administer their massages in a variety of different settings ... some public ... some private, but most are dimly lit. The use of incense and/or candles is common, as is the presence of soothing music in the background. Massage therapists use these to put their clients at ease, especially if it is their first time. Some may travel to their clients' home or office to provide the massage therapy, depending on the client's schedule and location.
by: Heidi Gleason
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