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Massage therapy is one of the oldest healthcare practices in the world. It also has been growing more and more popular these days as a means to clear the mind and relax the body, but massage therapy myths are still very much prevalent.
From massages being all the same to massaging pregnant women can cause miscarriages, we will tackle the top myths about massage therapy and shed light on the truth.
5 Myths About Massage Therapy
Massage therapy offers numerous benefits to the mind and body, but its primary purpose is to release muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain. A massage session also promotes the release of endorphins, which can enhance mood and reduce stress levels, contributing to overall mental well-being.
When done regularly, massages can also help improve flexibility and range of motion, aid in better sleep, boost immune function, and provide a general sense of relaxation, making it a valuable component of your holistic health regimen.
Let’s find out the truth about the most common myths and misconceptions about massage therapy:
All Massages Are The Same
A massage is a massage, right? It’s easy for anyone who has never had a massage to say that all massages are the same. However, this isn’t true – while all types of massages aim to relax the mind and the body in general, each type is designed to address specific areas of the body, muscle conditions, and ailments. You can choose a type of massage based on your specific needs, whether it’s to relax, release tension, or treat an injury.
At Lanna Thai Spa, for example, we offer an Aromatherapy Massage, which is great for releasing tension and restoring your mind-body balance. Our Traditional Thai Massage, on the other hand, is ideal for reducing stress, improving flexibility, and relieving pain.
Other massage modalities include prenatal massage, sports massage, neuromuscular therapy, acupressure, reflexology, reiki, hypnotherapy, all of which all of which offer unique approaches to health and well-being, so no, not all massages are the same.
The Effects Of A Massage Are Temporary
After a massage session, you’ll feel relaxed and balanced. Any muscle aches and pains will also be gone. After a while going through daily life, the stress and tension will build up again, which might leave you to think that the effects of massages don’t last long.
The truth is yes, the benefits of a massage can be temporary if you don’t follow it up with regular sessions. Massages are meant to be part of a regular wellness routine, so that the positive effects can be maintained and cumulative. Regular massages help to continually manage stress, alleviate pain, improve circulation, and maintain muscle health, contributing to long-term physical and mental well-being.
In addition, massage therapists can “train” the muscles to be stronger and more flexible, which helps reduce the amount of pain and stress it receives in the future. If done regularly, your therapist can address your pain patterns and re-educate your muscles to improve body mechanics and posture.
Massages Only Involve The Muscles
It’s easy for anyone to think this because yes, massage therapy mainly involves the muscles. However, massages do so much more for the body than just simple muscle manipulation. To name a few, massages can also stimulate the lymph nodes, release tension from body tissues, and manually move bodily fluids to loosen joints.
Beyond the physical benefits, massages are also incredibly effective in clearing the mind and promoting relaxation. The soothing touch of a skilled therapist can lower cortisol levels, reduce stress, and trigger the release of endorphins and serotonin, which are natural mood lifters. This helps to calm the mind, reduce anxiety, and foster a deep sense of relaxation and well-being.
An Effective Massage Is A Painful Massage
Sore after a massage? That means that it worked, right? The truth is, feeling pain or no pain after a massage session is not an indication whether it’s effective or not. Post-massage soreness is totally normal – it just means that the body is releasing tension and toxins.
Not everyone experiences it, too – soreness is more common among first timers. It also depends on your muscle condition and the type of massage that you received. So to debunk this myth, it’s not true that the massage is only effective if you feel tender the next day. Feeling no pain is perfectly normal, too.
Massages Can Cause Miscarriage In Pregnant Women
Another common misconception about massage therapy is that it’s not recommended for pregnant women because it can cause a miscarriage. This is simply not true – that’s why prenatal massages exist and remain popular to this day.
People once believed that a massage can cause early labor but that has since been proven wrong. In fact, experts highly encourage pregnant women to get regular massage sessions throughout their pregnancy as they help boost immune function, reduce pregnancy aches and pains, prevent preterm labor, and lower the risk of prenatal depression. It’s the perfect way for mothers-to-be to relax and be pampered.
Conclusion
There are plenty of massage therapy myths out there, but you yourself can find the truth for yourself by getting a massage, and following it up with regular sessions. Massage therapy can do so much for your mind and body, from relaxing to getting pain relief. And the best part of it is that you can choose a type of massage that will target your personal needs.