When looking at an anatomical poster/image of the human body, there are all kinds of muscles connected and overlapping, but when we go to feel around those areas, especially when pain symptoms are presenting, it can feel like one solid mass and not individual muscles. This is because of everyday wear and tear, strenuous activities, spasms, heat, dehydration, and stress that causes the muscles to stay in a slightly contracted state, continue to tighten, bunch up and stiffen becoming the new normal for that individual. People learn to go through life like this, never considering that there is something wrong until they experience a significant injury that can take much longer to recover and rehabilitate from. This is why massaging the body on a regular basis is important to maintain healthy relaxed and flexible muscles and prevent strains, pulls, and injuries.

Massaging the Body

Massage therapy including myotherapy is the practice of kneading or manipulating the body’s muscles and other soft tissues to improve neuromusculoskeletal well-being and health.

• It is a form of manual, percussive, and mechanical therapy that includes holding, moving, and applying pressure to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.
• Massage therapy can be used to describe techniques that vary in touch, pressure, and intensity of the treatment applied.

Benefits

The immediate benefit of regularly massaging the body is feeling deep relaxation and calmness. This happens because massaging prompts the release of endorphins or the brain chemicals/neurotransmitters that produce the feeling of well-being. And the stress hormones like adrenalin, cortisol, and norepinephrine levels are reduced. Studies have shown that high levels of stress hormones can impair and damage the immune system. The physical benefits of massaging the body regularly include:

• Alleviated muscle tension.
• Improved and increased joint mobility and flexibility.
• Increased blood and nerve circulation.
• Lymphatic system toxin drainage.
• Decreased release of stress hormones.
• A relaxed state of mind.
• Improved sleep.
• Enhanced mental alertness.
• Decreased anxiety.
• Improved recovery and rehabilitation of soft tissue sprains and injuries.
• Improved skin tone.

Massage Types

Depending on the severity of the pain, associated symptoms, and muscle tension a chiropractor and therapeutic massage team will use a variety of techniques and massage types to restore flexibility, mobility, and function. Types of massage include:

Swedish

• One of the most popular forms of massage, this technique is designed to promote relaxation and increase and improve blood circulation.

Myofascial

• Involves the assessment and treatment of soft tissue pain, injury, and dysfunction affecting movement and mobility.
• Myofascial therapy releases tight soft tissue structures like the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.

Rehabilitative

• This type treats and rehabilitates biomechanical dysfunction or injury.
• Using specific and targeted mobilization techniques to restore normal health and function.

Lymphatic Drainage

• This is a gentle whole-body treatment that relaxes the nervous system, releases toxins, and improves the immune system.

Sports

• Sports massage is an application of massage and a blend of techniques to enhance performance and help overworked muscles recover quickly.
• The type of technique or treatment applied is dependent on the nature of the stage of training or competition, sports injury or condition, and the assessment of the therapist.

Infant Massage

• A gentle massage can help treat constipation, colic, and sleeping problems.
• Studies have found that regular massage helps premature babies gain weight faster.

Reflexology

• Reflexology is based on the application of pressure to specific points on the body.
• Reflex points, which relate to body areas, can be found in the feet, hands, face, and ears.
• These points respond to pressure, stimulating the body’s own natural healing process in the same way chiropractic activates natural healing through adjustments and realignment.

Aromatherapy

• Essential oils made from selected flowers and plants are added to massage oil for a particular therapeutic property.
• For example, the scent of peppermint is used for constipation problems.

Shiatsu

• This massage technique aims to improve energy flow by working targeted points on the body.
• The underlying principles of shiatsu are similar to those of acupuncture.

Individuals are able to experience an improved quality of life with the combined elements of chiropractic and massage therapy.

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Fighting Inflammation Naturally

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References

Cheung, Karoline, et al. “Delayed onset muscle soreness: treatment strategies and performance factors.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 33,2 (2003): 145-64. doi:10.2165/00007256-200333020-00005

Koren, Yogev, and Leonid Kalichman. “Deep tissue massage: What are we talking about?.” Journal of Bodywork and movement therapies vol. 22,2 (2018): 247-251. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.05.006

National Research Council (US) and Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace. Musculoskeletal Disorders and the Workplace: Low Back and Upper Extremities. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 6, Biomechanics. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222434/

Pachtman Shetty, Sarah L, and Sarah Fogarty. “Massage During Pregnancy and Postpartum.” Clinical obstetrics and gynecology vol. 64,3 (2021): 648-660. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000638

Stecco, Antonio, et al. “Fascial Disorders: Implications for Treatment.” PM & R: the Journal of Injury, Function, and Rehabilitation vol. 8,2 (2016): 161-8. doi:10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.06.006

Weerapong, Pornratshanee, et al. “The mechanisms of massage and effects on performance, muscle recovery, and injury prevention.” Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) vol. 35,3 (2005): 235-56. doi:10.2165/00007256-200535030-00004