Massage Therapy

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is a manual treatment in which a licensed massage therapist rubs and kneads your muscles and connective tissues. The therapy relieves muscle tension and pain as well as emotional stress.

There are several types of massage therapy which use different amounts of pressure and technique, including:

• Swedish massage
• Deep tissue massage
• Trigger point massage
• Myofascial release
• Sports massage

Each type of massage offers various benefits, and your provider can recommend the style that best meets your needs.

What medical conditions can benefit from medical massage therapy?

The various medical conditions which can benefit from medical massage include, but are not limited to

• Muscular strains and tightness
• Back pain
• Neck and Shoulder pain
• Pain and discomfort of the extremities (arms and legs)
• Headaches
• Bulging and Herniated Discs
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis
• TMJ

How does massage therapy help with pain relief?

Massage therapy relieves pain in several ways. For example, if you have tight muscles, ligaments, or tendons, massage can reduce the tension and release trigger points. As your soft tissue relaxes, you might find that pain elsewhere in your body also subsides.

Your muscles and connective tissue form an interconnected network, and tension in one part of your body can trigger pain and tension in nearby tissue. For example, tightness in your shoulders or upper back can cause neck pain or headaches.

Additionally, massage therapy improves circulation and lymphatic drainage. This helps your blood deliver essential oxygen and nutrients throughout your body to support the healing process. Your lymphatic system flushes toxins and waste products out of your body.

What should I expect during massage therapy?

Your massage therapist begins by asking about any painful areas, injuries, or other health issues. Then, they leave the room for a moment so you can undress to your level of comfort and lie on a treatment table under a sheet. 

When your massage therapist returns to the room, they begin to rub and knead your body. They use paraben free, scent free massage lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Your therapist uses their hands or other devices to rub your muscles and may move your limbs as they massage your body to increase tension relief. They periodically check-in with you to ensure they're using the right pressure. 

If you are interested in massage therapy and you have NYSHIP /Empire Plan, please visit Evia Medical Center for your next massage. You can call the friendly office staff to schedule your appointment.