Advantages of Having a Prenatal Massage
One of the most popular types of massage during pregnancy is the prenatal massage. This kind of massage helps prepare both mother and baby for childbirth. During this massage, expectant mothers are relaxed and stress-free. Additionally, it helps relieve tension in the back, shoulders, and neck.
During pregnancy, there are lots of discomforts associated with hormonal changes, which often make us feel uneasy. Some of these discomforts include bloating, cramping, constipation, lower back pain, indigestion, fatigue, and sleeplessness. A prenatal massage is also a complete body massage done by a qualified licensed prenatal massage therapist who is like a Swedish massage but for some small variations with position that will ensure both mother and child are relaxed and stress-free. This massage also relives stress and promotes a healthy body and mind. Prenatal massage helps moms-to-be cope with the discomforts associated with becoming pregnant and childbirth.
The goal of a prenatal massage is to help relax the muscles and joints while reducing swelling and inflammation. When done properly, the effects of massage can be very relaxing and soothing. Studies have shown that massage has many benefits for the pregnant woman. Not only does this reduce swelling and inflammation but it also reduces fatigue and tension in addition to reduce the chance of developing gestational diabetes. Additionally, it has been proven that pregnant women who massage regularly have a much healthier delivery than people who don't.
One of the main discomforts for pregnant woman is varicose veins. These can be very painful and difficult to treat. A skilled massage therapist can help reduce swelling and inflammation around the vein walls. This results in less pain and more blood flow throughout the area. This helps alleviate the pressure on the veins, which allows them to heal much faster.
Pregnant mothers-to-be frequently have to deal with many stressors during their pregnancy. Some of these can be completely unnecessary such as bills, jobs, kids, and financial worries. However, some stressors are preventable. The stress hormone cortisol, which is made from the hormones and other things in a woman's body, can interfere with the process of releasing important hormones in the body. Removing this hormone in the equation can make the process easier and less stressful for the mother-to-be and for the infant.
Massage can also help decrease leg cramps, which is another discomforts pregnant women experience. Leg cramps can be caused by hormonal changes or even from improper posture. Massage can increase blood circulation to the legs and relieve leg cramps. Cramps can also be caused by fluid retention in the abdomen. When there's an increased amount of fluid in the gut, this may cause the muscles in the abdomen to tighten and make it hard to move, walk, or breathe. A massage can reduce the tension that's in the abdomen and alleviate the cramping that occurs.
Women that are pregnant should also consider having a prenatal massage. Prenatal massage has many benefits, most notably to women who are having hormonal changes like premenstrual dysphoric disorder or pregnancy. During this time, certain regions of the body such as the lower back, buttocks, shoulders, and thighs become tender and swollen. Putting pressure on these areas during a prenatal massage can ease the swelling and the pain.
Massage may also be beneficial during labor and after birth. Putting pressure on specific areas during labour can help shorten the birthing process. It may also reduce the risk of blood pressure spikes and contractions. After arrival, a woman can put a certain amount of pressure on certain parts of her body and alleviate pain. This can help her to get through labor easier and without as much intervention from a nurse or therapist.
Massage Therapists - How They Are Helping Athletes
Massage therapy has existed as long as the human civilization. In fact, there are descriptions of such ancient treatments that date back to the Egyptian times. Today, it has developed into a very different profession. It is now considered a more sophisticated and demanding career that combines science, psychology and art. The discipline provides a deep comprehension of the human body and mind, that helps in creating innovative therapeutic solutions for sportsmen and sportswomen of all types.
Sports massage is the exceptional application of therapeutic methods, range of motion, hydrotherapy protocols and flexibility and strength training principles used to bring about a specific objective when treating an athletic athlete. This kind of therapy focuses on the sportsman's body that is in need of deep tissue massage that increases the capability of the muscle tissues to withstand extreme physical stress and improve their performance. The use of these therapy increases blood circulation and hormonal response to the body which is vital in the recovery and regeneration of muscles that were damaged during the workout regimen.
In sports massage, the massage therapist tightens and elongates muscles, especially the muscles of the lower back, to increase mobility. The therapist also uses massage strokes which stimulate the lymphatic system and increases the flow of oxygen to the cells and cells that are stressed during the exercise regimen. This improves the function of the immune system by reducing the inflammation of injured muscles and tissues. Sports massage may also help relieve the pain of the injured muscles and reduce the risk of the injury to get worse during the next workout. Additionally, there are a decline in the recovery period and the recovery of injured muscles and tendons.
This sort of massage provides a deep tissue therapy that works by entering the deeper layers of skin and tissues. This allows the therapist to release the adhesions, knots and triggers that are embedded deep within the muscle tissues. Most athletes find this massage really valuable as it provides a comprehensive stretch, reduces the swelling and bruises that can form during the game or training session. It also works on the adhesion of scar tissues and improves the flow of lymph and nutrient fluids to the regions that are affected. Sports massage can be used following an injury or before a sport related activity read more to increase performance.
The lactate or lactic acid build up in muscles, bones, tendons and connective tissues should they get strained or overworked for a long period. This build up of lactic acid reduces their elasticity and prevents the joints from moving properly. When the body doesn't have enough adequate time to recuperate and repair itself, the damaged cells will accumulate and form into pains, aches and other symptoms. The massage therapist may use sports massage to release the lactic acid in the damaged muscle cells, relieving the pain and preventing further damage to occur. This prevents further injury and pain down the road. A good therapist will understand when to perform this massage so that it doesn't over-stretch or harm the muscles further.
Another frequent injury that could result from a regular workout routine is tennis elbow. Athletes who play tennis, golf or any contact sports are particularly susceptible to this type of injury as they frequently use their hands and forearms to produce the high impact moves. To prevent tennis elbow, a sports massage therapist can apply slow circular motions to loosen up tight muscles, reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. This therapy is usually used immediately after a tennis tournament or before an important game. It may also be used before intense exercise or resistance training.
Once an athlete is involved in intense physical activity or a sporting event, abrupt changes to their training routine can cause soreness, muscle spasms and even trauma. This sort of pain can be very severe and even cause the athlete to miss a game or practice. A professional sports massage therapist will use massage methods to restore and protect the injured area and reduce inflammation. This sort of therapy is frequently used as a portion of post-surgical care to help decrease any pain that is associated with surgery. Post-surgical, injured athletes are often recommended for a collection of post-operative sports massage methods to stop them from growing any of the post-surgical restrictions like tightness or inflammation. This form of therapeutic treatment can also help prevent further injury and pain.
If you believe you have what it takes to be a professional sports massage therapist, there are numerous classes and programs offered at local colleges and medical schools. Some colleges also offer certificate programs and are looking for motivated people to help ensure that all of their students have a comprehensive understanding of the art and science of massage. With the huge knowledge and skill of today's sports massage therapists, it's no wonder why they're paid extremely well. Learning the basic techniques of massage and being trained by an extremely skilled, well-trained therapist may open up many doors in a sport person's livelihood.