| Massage therapy has been around for over | | | | as short as 15 minutes or last as long as 2 hours. |
| thousands of years and has many benefits, which | | | | One of the benefits of massage therapy is stress |
| people use from treating specific diseases to | | | | reduction and the therapist usually provides a calm |
| general wellness. There are few risks associated | | | | setting with dim light, soft music or pleasant |
| with massage therapy, provided it is done by a | | | | fragrances. Other benefits that are thought to be |
| trained massage professional. There are over 80 | | | | gained from massage therapy are that it may |
| types of massage therapy and in all of them the | | | | help block pain signals to the brain, release certain |
| therapist manipulates muscles and other soft | | | | chemicals in the body such as serotonin or |
| tissues of the body. A popular therapy is the | | | | endorphins and help to improve sleep to help the |
| Swedish massage, where the therapist uses long | | | | body heal better. |
| strokes, friction and kneading on the muscles and | | | | Physicians do not recommend this therapy for |
| shifts joints to promote flexibility. Another type is | | | | patients who have deep vein thrombosis, bleeding |
| Shiatsu, where the therapist focuses on rhythmic | | | | disorders or are on blood thinners, damaged blood |
| pressure from the fingers on parts of the body | | | | vessels, osteoporosis or cancer. If you are |
| that are thought to be essential in the flow of a | | | | pregnant, have heart problems or are diabetic, it |
| vital energy called qi. | | | | is recommended that you check with your health |
| This therapy is provided in a variety of settings | | | | care provider prior to making an appointment. |
| including private offices, clinical settings, hospitals, | | | | Some side effects of massage therapy are |
| nursing homes, studios, fitness facilities and even | | | | temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling |
| in the home or office in certain cases. A massage | | | | and sensitivity or an allergic reaction to massage |
| usually lasts from 30 to 60 minutes, but could be | | | | oils. |