Massage therapy is a type of physical therapy that involves the pressing and kneading of soft tissues in the body. It is usually done with the massage therapist’s hands and fingers, but they can also use their forearms, elbows, or feet. People may get massages to treat injuries, pain, health conditions, and for overall wellness. There are many health benefits to massage therapy. They promote relaxation, flexibility, and blood flow. They additionally assist in relieving acute and chronic pain, muscle tension, and stress.
There are several dozen types of massages, the first practices of which began in India, thousands of years ago. Since then, they have continued to be a consistent and popular option for physical therapy. It may be difficult to figure out which one you’d like to get. They can differ widely in pressure, technique, intended use, and the areas of focus. The following four are some of the most common:
Swedish massage
Target areas
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Lower back
Benefits
- Relaxation
- Stress reduction
- Improved posture
- Increased range of motion and flexibility
- Headache relief
- Improved sleep
Deep tissue massage
Target areas
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Connective tissues deep under skin
Benefits
- Reduce inflammation
- Reduce muscle pain
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helping with injuries
- Reduce arthritis symptoms
Trigger point massage
Target areas
- Areas of muscle tightness
Benefits
- Pain and ache relief
- Reduce lower back pain
- Reduce headaches
Reflexology Massage
Target areas
- Feet
- Hands
- Ears
Benefits
- Reduce pain
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improved sleep
- Reduce headaches
In British Columbia, massage therapists are registered with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) to provide massage therapy services. Most are also part of the Massage Therapists’ Association of British Columbia (MTABC).
Depending on your insurance, your visit to a registered massage therapist may be covered. Make sure to choose a massage therapist who has received provincial certification. This ensures that your massage therapist has a certain level of training and uses certain practice guidelines.