subject: End Your Stressful Day But Also Fight Pain With A Soothing 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:
Prenatal massage for pregnant women;
Infant massage for new mothers;
Sports massage - from weekend warriors to professional athletes
Geriatric massage - for people approaching their twilight years.
So what steps should you take to pick the massage therapist who's right for you? Do your research and ask questions, as you would when choosing any health professional or anyone performing pain relief to your body. If you decide to go to a massage therapist who is not qualified, you - and more importantly - your body will be sorry! So ask questions ... don't be shy about it ... it's your right!
If you've never been to a massage therapist, there are a few things you need to know. The first portion of your session will be spent discussing your current health situation, your background, and your health goals for the future. Once this information has been gathered, your massage therapist can establish the best regimen to suit your individual needs.
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.
For many of the techniques available, massage therapists use lotions, oils or creams to aid in the procedure. You may be asked to remove some or all of your clothing - depending on the method being used - and cover yourself with a sheet or blanket; the massage therapist should only reveal the part of your body being massaged at any given time.
Massage therapists typically like to provide a very soothing and relaxing setting to make their clients feel more at ease. This normally includes the burning of candles or incense, soothing music and dim lighting. This especially helps to make first-timers comfortable. Depending on your schedule and location, your massage therapist may be able to make arrangements to administer your massage right in the comfort of your own home.
