Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is a broad term covering many types of physical manipulation by a Massage Therapist. Types include Acupressure, Cranio-Sacral, Deep Tissue, and Swedish (which includes Effleurage, Friction, and Petrissage) Massage. It also includes Myofascial Release, Chair Massage (or corporate massage), Petrissage (kneading, squeezing and rolling the muscles), Reflexology, the Rosen Method, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Tapotement, and Trigger Point Therapy.Swedish Massage is the most well-known. It involves stroking, kneading, and friction on the skin and muscles combined with bending of the joints to stretch the muscles. The long, smooth stroke is called Effleruage. Friction is a deep, circular stroke aimed at causing deep tissues to rub together to increase blood flow. Petrissage, as mentioned above, involves squeezing, kneeding and rolling the muscles.
Trigger Point Therapy applies strong finger pressure to painful areas in muscles in order to interrupt blood flow, stopping the cycle of pain, spasm and inflammation. It is very helpful for neck pain or "cricks" in the neck. Trigger Point Therapy is also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy.
Massage helps to prevent and alleviate pain, injury (muscle spasm), and stress. It's great for relaxation. It is becomming more and more popular as an adjunct treatment prescribed by physicians, including orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists when patients are undergoing rehabilitation after injury, including sports injuries. It is also useful in managing chronic pain, including arthritic pain and back pain.