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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
How can massage therapy help me?
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Hubert Huynh
Physiotherapist
I am a Sydney based Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapist with a strong focus on manual therapy and functional rehabilitation. I am trained in a number … View Profile
You question is very open ended depending on your problem.
As a general rule, I find that massage (again there are different type of massages but I'm assuming you mean deep tissue massage as opposed to remedial) will help for problems that are muscular. In most cases, if you find that a massage alleviates your symptoms temporarily but your/ pain comes back after a couple of days - the problem may not be muscular and will need further looking into to find the cause of the problem i.e. due to a joint, posture/ poor movement patterns or even visceral.
In most cases, if you are unsure, consoult your musculoskeletal physiotherapist to see what is most suitable for you .Report this post
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Dr Michael Black
Chiropractor
Located in Armadale and Doncaster, Dr Michael Black has an interest in childrens' health and pregnancy. He is passionate aout sharing the benefits of chiropractic … View Profile
As Hubert rightly indicates, this is an open ended question but can be concisely answered by saying that massage therapy works by soothing soft tissue and encouraging relaxation. Various studies show that massage can successfully treat a range of disorders, including back, neck and many other areas of pain.
Different types of massage include aromatherapy massage, reflexology, shiatsu massage, remedial massage and relaxation massage.One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins, the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of wellbeing.
Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system. Some of the physical benefits of massage include:Reduced muscle tensionImproved circulationStimulation of the lymphatic systemReduction of stress hormonesIncreased joint mobility and flexibilityImproved skin toneSpeedier healing of soft tissue injuriesHeightened mental alertnessReduced anxiety and depression.
For this reason, many chiropractors, osteopaths, myotherapists and physiotherapists utlise massage therapy as a part of their treatment depending on the type of injury and condition. Massage therapy often goes by other names and may be more specialised as myofascial release, Bowen therapy, trigger point therapy, deep friction massage and Thai massage.
Whether massage therapy of any type can help you depends on the condition you have and if it is known to respond to soft tissue approaches - the diagnosis will dictate the answer to your open question.Report this post
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