What Is a Massage?
A massage is the act of manipulating the body's muscle tissue through application of pressure, usually by hand, in order to relieve pain and improve overall well-being. How much pressure is applied and where depends on the problem and the technique required to address your condition. Massage therapy as a medicinal practice has existed across the world in various forms for centuries. While a massage therapist learns about the entire body like any other medical practitioner, their points of focus are circulatory, musculoskeletal, lymphatic, and the nervous system. If you live in Puyallup, WA, and are looking for a good massage therapist or chiropractor, here are some of the services we here at Rainier Sports & Spinal Rehab offer.
Acupressure
Acupressure is performed using the fingers to press specific points on the patient's skin, with the goal of stimulating the body's natural self-curative abilities. Pressing these points releases tension in the muscles and promotes blood circulation.
Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST)
CST is a hands-on method of enhancing the function of the craniosacral system, which is the physiological system of membranes and fluid that protects the brain and spine. This form of massage therapy improves the operation of the central nervous system as well.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are sensitive, irritated points of pain, located deep in the muscles. Trigger Point Therapy, in turn, is about applying specific techniques to release that tension.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)
NMT is a series of soft tissue massages that balance body's central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. A massage therapist using NMT directly targets the central nervous system's ability to initiate and maintain the feeling of pain in order to identify and treat the underlying causes of the pain.
Swedish Massage
Picture the phrase "massage" in your mind, and you'll see some form of the Swedish Massage. The Swedish Massage is the foundation for all Western massage techniques. It helps the body purge itself of toxins, deliver nutrients to cells, and more effectively recover from physical trauma.
Deep Tissue Massage
A Deep Tissue Massage is an umbrella term for a variety of techniques that a massage therapist uses to free the patient's body of myofascial connective tissue in and around muscles by loosening the surface muscles. This, in turn, helps to loosen up the deeper muscles.