The Power of Massage Therapy: A Simple and Effective Way to Relieve Soft Tissue Trauma
Massage therapy is a simple and enjoyable method that helps treat soft tissue trauma in the body. This can range from something as subtle as a muscle adhesion in your skeletal muscle tissue, causing pain, referred pain, or headaches, to something as noticeable as a muscle in a contracted state, forming a knot that rolls under your touch. Our bodies are exposed to a lot of physical stress, whether it’s from exercise, the physical demands of our work (sitting or moving all day), or mental and emotional stress. All of these stresses can accumulate in our bodies as tension.
We are fortunate that the physiotherapy industry is thriving, and access to massage, physical therapy, sports therapists, chiropractors, reflexologists, osteopaths, and yoga studios is easier than ever. While it’s important to take advantage of these physical modalities and use them as much as possible, the time spent with these professionals is just a small part of your day, week, month, or even year. That’s why it’s important to have a few of your favorite tools at home, to use daily and keep your soft tissues flexible and pain-free.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
The benefits of massage therapy are endless. Our bodies are incredibly complex, with numerous systems and nerve impulses working together every second. Massage therapy aims to ensure everything operates in harmony. Physically, massage helps increase blood circulation and oxygen flow to muscle tissues (think of it like warming up before a workout). It also boosts the circulation of lymph fluid, which is essential for the immune system, as it transports and filters out bacteria and toxins from the bloodstream. Good circulation also stimulates the body’s natural healing and inflammation process.
Massage therapy can reduce pain perception and sensation. While the treatment might feel painful at the moment, those little nerve receptors help diminish the pain. As mentioned earlier, massage therapy is important for increasing muscle tissue flexibility and reducing tension in the fascial system of the body. On a mental level, massage boosts the production of “feel-good hormones” like serotonin and dopamine while lowering cortisol (the stress hormone). All of these amazing benefits are within reach at home, which is why it’s so important to incorporate self-massage into your routine! I’ve been using various therapy tools at home for years, and I’m grateful that B. Halfmoon asked me to try some of their latest therapy tools and share my perspective as a massage therapist.
How to Get the Same Benefits of Massage at Home
It’s relatively easy when you have the right tools! I tell my clients to experiment with the tools they have—you really can’t go wrong or cause harm. The only thing you need to watch out for is the pressure and intensity. If it feels too painful, simply reduce it until you find a level of discomfort that’s manageable and provides relief. Also, avoid massaging over bony protrusions such as your kneecap, hip bone, and spinal processes.
Foam Roller
Best for: Larger surface areas such as the IT band, glutes, middle and lower erector muscles, quadriceps, and hamstring groups. I love the length of this foam roller, as it allows you to cover more ground with ease.