What IS massage therapy ?

Let’s get down to basics here! What IS massage therapy ? And what are the benefits of receiving massage as a therapeutic practice?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to enhance health and healing. “Soft tissues” include skin, fascia, muscles, tendons, ligaments, even the viscera. The manual compression, stretching, gliding, kneading and movement of these tissues can help the body to relax by impacting the nervous system. When we move into a parasympathetic (or rest and digest) state, our muscles relax, our breathing slows, and our thinking brain quiets down. We may feel that our emotions are more accessible. We may have an analgesic or pain reduction experience. Symptoms of anxiety may be diminished. An overall sense of restorative relaxation can be achieved, and specific injuries, conditions and goals can be addressed.

There are different styles of massage therapy, called “modalities”. Swedish massage, acupressure, and manual lymph drainage (MLD) are all specific modalities. Various massage modalities may be blended together to create a client-centered experience. Prenatal massage may include various modalities to address specific aspects of the client’s condition, such as myofascial release for muscular tension, MLD to reduce swelling, and acupressure to help get labor going (if the time is right!).

You may also ask, “ Is massage therapy right for me ? “ or “ Is massage therapy safe for pregnancy ?” and the answer is YES! There are very few contraindications for massage therapy, meaning that almost everyone can benefit from some type of massage, and your massage therapist can tailor your session to be appropriate for your age, conditions, and goals, even if you are pregnant! (If you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy we may have to ask some questions but it’s likely you can still receive massage.) There are NO contraindications for receiving Reiki. What is reiki ? Reiki is a type of energy work - in a reiki session your therapist may or may not place hands on the body (you can discuss your preferences) and will send healing Ki (energy) to your body, mind and spirit. Reiki is relaxing and restful.

Many clients also ask us “ How often should I get a massage ? “ There’s really no formula or prescription around frequency of massage. Some clients enjoy weekly massages for wellness/maintenance or to work with chronic conditions. Other clients come on an as-needed basis, while others come in every few weeks or once a month routinely. Getting massage regularly can be helpful, as the benefits of each session build, since the effects of massage are cumulative. But if it’s been awhile since you had a massage, no guilt or judgement from us! Coming in whenever you can is beneficial.

MaMassage Brooklyn is located in Prospect Heights, a five minute walk from Prospect Park and Barclays Center. Schedule your appointment today!