Massage therapists have extensive training that includes a wide variety of massage techniques, anatomy and physiology, and knowledge of when and when not to massage. In addition, massage therapists specializing in sports massage are trained to recognize and work with the unique demands that different sports place on the body. Your massage therapist will be happy to answer any questions about his or her specialized education, experience, and certification or licensing.

Massage after a strenuous workout: When vigorous exercise leaves your muscles feeling fatigued, stiff and sore, massage can help. Massage stretches and lengthens shortened muscles and reduces spasm. Its gentle kneading improves circulation which speeds up the removal of waste products that can make you sore, and brings in oxygen and nutrients your muscles need to rejuvenate. A deeply relaxing massage also promotes restful sleep, allowing your tissues time to repair naturally.

Because massage helps your muscles return to normal function, it can help you resume activity sooner, enhance your performance, and help your muscles work more efficiently.

How will a massage feel? Massage on normal tissue is almost always a pleasant sensation. Massage in the area of an injury or chronic pain may at first cause some discomfort which usually lessens noticeably in the first few minutes. Your massage therapist knows ways to minimize pain, and will work carefully within what feels right to you. Always tell your massage therapist if you feel any discomfort so she or he can make adjustments.

Massage can help with...

Stress: Massage is one of the best known antidotes for stress. Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook on life, and in the process reduces your likelihood of injury and illness. Massage can also relieve symptoms of conditions that are aggravated by anxiety such as asthma or insomnia. Because it relieves stress, massage is an excellent supportive therapy for people in psychological counseling or treatment for addiction.

Painful or tight muscles: Massage can relieve many types of muscle tightness, from a short-term muscle cramp to a habitually clenched jaw or tight shoulders. Some massage techniques release tension directly by stretching and kneading your muscles and their connective tissue covering (called fascia). Other techniques work less directly, but quite powerfully, by stimulating your nervous system to allow your muscles to relax.

Delayed muscle soreness:After vigorous exercise, buildup of waste products as well as micro-traumas in your muscles can leave you feeling tired and sore. Massage increases circulation, which removes waste products and brings in nutrients to speed healing of muscle tissue.

Pain or tingling in your arms or legs: Muscles can become so contracted that they press on nerves to the arms, hands and legs, causing pain or tingling. If this happens, a massage to release muscle spasms in the shoulder or hip can bring relief.

Injuries: Massage can help heal injuries such as tendinitis that develop over time, as well as ligament sprains or muscle strains caused by an accident. Massage reduces inflammation by increasing circulation, which removes waste products and brings nutrition to injured cells. Certain massage techniques can limit scar formation in new injures and can make scar tissue more pliable around old injuries.

Secondary Pain: Massage can relieve secondary pain that outlasts its original cause. Some examples are headaches from eyestrain, low back ache during pregnancy, or the protective tensing of healthy muscles around an injury.

Prevention of new injuries: By relieving chronic tension, massage can help prevent injuries that might be caused by stressing unbalanced muscle groups, or by favoring or forcing a painful, restricted area.

Pain or restriction in joints:
Besides releasing tight muscles that restrict joint movement, massage works directly on your joints to improve circulation, stimulate production of natural lubrication, and relieve pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Posture:
Massage releases restrictions in muscles, joints, and surrounding fascia, freeing your body to return to a more natural posture, Massage can also relieve the contracted muscles and pain caused by abnormal spinal curvatures such as scoliosis.

The effects of forced inactivity:
There are many reasons you may be forced to limit physical activity including injury, surgery, paralysis or even normal aging. When this happens, massage can relieve your aches and pain and improve circulation to your skin and muscles. Even when an immobilized area cannot be massaged directly, the relaxation and increased circulation from a general massage can give you relief.

Fluid retention:
Massage increases your circulation which in turn drains tissues of excess fluid caused by recent injury, surgery, or pregnancy.