What Massage Can Help With

Massage therapy offers a wide range of benefits for individuals experiencing muscular soreness, chronic pain, or recovery challenges. The first thing you have to know about massage is what it does to soft tissue (Muscle and facial tissue). These tissues are similar to a densely woven fabric, and all we are doing is applying pressure to this fabric which then stretches out the fabric aka your muscles. Massage is simply stretching at a deeper level.

So that means all these issues can be ultimately improved with stretching tissue. The issue is, that it’s difficult to stretch specific muscle groups within the body. More importantly, you need a Licensed Massage Professional to have someone with the knowledge of what in the body needs to be addressed which varies on individual goals/complaints.

There are a few key indicators that massage therapy can help you with. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, you should set up an appointment for a therapeutic massage near you.

• Muscular soreness such as DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)
• Chronic or Acute Joint Pain (Back Pain, Neck Pain, Knee Pain, etc..)
• Headaches/Migraines
• Recent Injury (Car Accident, Concussion, Skiing Accident, etc…)
• Post Operative (Orthopedic Surgery, Spinal Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, even Plastic Surgery)
• TMJ Pain
• Balance/Vestibular Conditions (Vertigo)
• Menstrual Pain (Dysmenorrhea)
• Poor Posture
• Poor Circulation
• Poor Flexibility/Range Of Motion
• Poor Lymphatic Circulation
• Stomach Indigestion, Pain or Inflammation
• Stress

If you are experiencing any or multiple of these symptoms we highly recommend getting a massage near you from a licensed massage therapist who specializes in therapeutic massage.

Who Massage Can Help?

Those dealing with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) from intense workouts or sports can find relief through sports massage and deep tissue massage, which help reduce muscle tension and promote faster recovery. If you suffer from chronic or acute joint pain, such as back pain, neck pain, or knee pain, medical massage and orthopedic massage can target specific areas to alleviate discomfort, improve mobility and quality of living. Individuals struggling with headaches or migraines may benefit from a TMJ massage, which helps release tension in the head, temples, neck, and jaw to reduce headache frequency and intensity. TMJ Massage can also help individuals who suffer from a muscular imbalance-induced underbite or chronic clamping or grinding of teeth.

Those recovering from recent injuries like car accidents, concussions, or skiing mishaps, can strongly benefit from a Swedish massage or a therapeutic massage. A Swedish Massage is also recommended for those experiencing stress and need a relaxing massage. Post-operative procedures such as orthopedic, spinal, cardiac, or plastic surgery, lymphatic drainage massage and medical massage can aid in reducing swelling, enhancing circulation, and supporting healing. Balance and vestibular issues, including vertigo, may also improve with specialized orthopedic neuromuscular massage techniques that stimulate the nervous system. Additionally, individuals suffering from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), digestive discomfort, or poor lymphatic circulation can find relief through abdominal massage and lymphatic drainage massage, which support detoxification and organ function. If you struggle with poor posture, circulation, or flexibility, deep tissue massage can help release muscular restrictions, which then improve circulation, range of motion, and restores balance to the body. Whether seeking pain relief, injury recovery, or relaxation, massage therapy offers a tailored approach to overall wellness.

How To Make Sure The Benefits Of Massage Last Longer

To maximize the benefits of massage therapy and ensure long-lasting effects, it is essential to incorporate complementary therapies and healthy lifestyle habits. Corrective exercise, often used in physical therapy, helps address muscular imbalances and movement dysfunctions that contribute to pain and stiffness. General Physical Therapy/Corrective Exercise is the best complement to your massage therapy and has the longest-lasting effects for those experiencing chronic joint pain. Strengthening weak muscles and improving joint stability can enhance the effects of a sports massage or deep tissue massage. That’s why at Breathe Massage & Fitness we give all of our clients recommended corrective exercises and stretches to do at home to ensure your post massage realignment stays. This concept applies to address muscular imbalances and achieve anatomical symmetry. Tight muscles need to be stretched/massaged, and the opposing muscles which are usually overlengthened need to be strengthened, simple as that.

Chiropractic care can also be beneficial by ensuring proper spinal alignment, reducing nerve compression, and improving overall mobility. Usually, something that chiropractors will notice for those receiving regular massage therapy, is those clients will begin to crack more easily, as the massage therapy treatments address the muscular imbalances, the “cracks” created by the chiropractor will slowly but surely become minimal to non-existent. For individuals dealing with chronic neuropathies, acupuncture is highly recommended. Dry needling is usually recommended for those who need more immediate relief in conjunction with their massage therapy treatments. Dry needling aims to puncture needle-sized holes in the soft tissue in thoughts that the tissue being addressed is too dense/tight. This will help mostly to stretch the fascial tissue, as well as to release trigger points, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation, making them excellent additions to a massage routine. Cupping Therapy, is another effective modality that stretches fascial tissue, which then improves blood flow, flexibility, and muscle recovery.

Beyond hands-on therapies, daily habits play a crucial role in maintaining the benefits of massage therapy. A low-inflammatory diet, rich in whole foods, lean proteins, and healthy fats, helps reduce systemic inflammation that can contribute to pain and stiffness. Diet has a particularly strong effect on those with diabetes and arthritis in regards to how long the benefit of their massage treatment will last. We recommend keeping a low-inflammatory diet for as long as possible after your massage and drinking lots of water to aid in lowering inflammation.

Staying active with regular exercise, including strength training, mobility work, and cardiovascular activity, supports muscle health and circulation, making Sports Massage or Swedish massage a great choice to complement your active lifestyle, especially for athletes. Although, we don’t recommend a workout immediately after a massage treatment. Ideally, keep your surroundings low-stress to ensure your body can maintain your newly healed state and better posture. Additionally, quality sleep is essential for recovery, as it allows the body to repair tissues, regulate stress hormones, and maintain optimal function.

By combining massage therapy with these complementary practices, individuals can experience long-term relief, improved movement, and overall better well-being.

What Massage Cannot Help With

While massage therapy offers numerous health benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions and situations present contraindications that may make massage inappropriate or require modifications. Individuals with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), bleeding disorders, or those taking blood thinners should avoid massage in affected areas due to the risk of dislodging clots or exacerbating bleeding. Similarly, conditions like damaged blood vessels, weakened bones from cancer or osteoporosis, and recent fractures necessitate caution, as massage could potentially cause harm. Active infections, fever, or acute inflammatory responses such as redness, swelling, or heat are also contraindications, as massage might worsen these conditions.

Additionally, certain circumstances require careful consideration. Pregnancy warrants specialized prenatal massage techniques performed by trained professionals to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Individuals with neurological disorders, heart conditions, or uncontrolled high blood pressure should consult with healthcare providers before receiving massage therapy. Be sure to communicate openly with your massage therapist about your health history and any current medical issues to tailor the session appropriately. By being aware of these contraindications and working closely with qualified healthcare and massage professionals, you can ensure that massage therapy is both safe and beneficial for your specific health needs.

Conclusion

It’s important to know if you are the right fit for massage. As many benefits and harmless as massage therapy may offer, certain individuals are not ideal candidates and massage therapy could potentially injure further. This is why it’s important to make sure you are properly educated and working with a licensed professional massage therapist in your area.

For best results, your massage therapy should be done regularly, and in conjunction with other modalities ideally physical therapy. This leaves us with one final question.

How often should I get a massage? We recommend massage one time a week for those in chronic or severe pain, sometimes even massage two to three times a week for a month if debilitating enough. Massages every two weeks are for those whose pain is on track to disappear within the next month or two. Massage once a month is recommended for those who are prone to muscular imbalance or have recently healed from chronic pain.

We hope this article was helpful and if you are ever looking for a massage in the Littleton Colorado area give Breathe Massage & Fitness a call at 720-689-6900 or email us at info@breathemassagefitness.com

Still have questions? Check out our FAQ to help decide if massage therapy is right for you and your health and wellness goals.