Holistic Living with Therapeutic Massage or Massage Therapy

Massage has always been held with high esteem since ancient times. Now, it is even more highly regraded by modern and urban societies (such as Venice and Sarasota, FL) because of information dissemination on health and well-being.

Hippocrates, the father of Western Medicine even wrote, “...rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid.” Based from other ancient medical documentations, massage has certainly taken a big role in health care; and now, massage spas and clinics in Sarasota and Venice are strongly promoting this tested treatment as a way of preventing and treating ailments.

Holistic living goes beyond getting enough exercise and eating the right food. Living a healthy life also means giving your bod,y time to recuperate from mental and physical stress caused by everyday routines and experiences. One way of helping your mind and body recover is through massage therapy. According to one massage spa in Sarasota,FL, massage therapy is one of the most soothing and natural treatment for not only our muscles, but the whole person. In addition to the physical benefits, a therapeutic massage is also a positive form of non-verbal communication for two people. It is a way of taking part in the recovery of a person you care about, posing good psychological benefits for the ailing individual.

In an ideal world, health experts would recommend that you get a massage everyday. But because our normal everyday obligations, a massage can only be treated as an occasional luxury for most of us. A Sarasota, FL massage therapist shared that your first massage session should be an assessment; the second and third will then deal with the problem area; and the succeeding ones to be purely soothing and relaxing.

Most spas would recommend a Swedish massage because it is the most common and basic form of massage therapy, according to a Sarasota therapist. A Swedish massage uses the four basic types of strokes: (1) Effleurage- light or deep stroking; (2) Petrisage- kneading; (3) Tapotoment- tapping or hacking motion; and (4) Friction- deep stroke against the muscle grain. It's main objective is to relax tired muscles. Patients with edema can ask for a light Swedish massage with the approval of their physician, said the therapist from Sarasota, FL.

Reflexology is another popular type of massage technique. Most massage spas in Sarasota offer this treatment. Reflexology is a technique that traces our natural reflexes found in our hands, feet, head, and ears to improve health. Acupressure and massage strokes are combined for this treatment. There are also some clinics in Sarasota, FL that specializes in reflexology alone.

Specialized massages are also available for specific physical needs and conditions. For example, a deep tissue massage would be suitable for injured people. According another massage spa in Sarasota,FL, the strokes used during a deep tissue massage can release chronic muscle pain and tension. It generally targets the affected areas and can sometimes get uncomfortable due to to deeper strokes and pressure applied.  But in the end, your tired or injured muscles will feel better. A pregnancy massage, on the other hand, is obviously for expectant mothers and uses specific strokes to soothe pregnancy symptoms and normal aches in the lower back, hips, legs, and feet.  

A sports massages is another form of specialized specifically designed for people leading physically active lifestyles. You can get a sports massage before, during, or after a game or a work out. Sarasota spas who offer this treatment often bring their services out of the spa so they can continuously give the massage to their client. It still uses the 4 basic strokes, but employs deeper, longer, and harder strokes to relieve muscle tension and increase flexibility.