What is therapeutic massage?
You're stressed out. Your shoulder muscles
have turned to rocks. Or you feel so jumpy you
could crawl out of your own skin.Wouldn't it be
wonderful if someone could smooth away your
tension with the touch of his or her hands?
Someone can.
Research shows that the simple
kneading and stroking of a good massage can make
a big difference in your mental and physical
health. Just one session can reduce stress and
help you get a good night's sleep.
Regular
sessions may ease chronic pain, speed recovery
from many sports injuries, make your muscles more
supple, and improve concentration.
How safe is it?
It's also a good idea to talk to your
doctor about medical conditions that might rule
out a massage, including high blood pressure (a
massage can briefly cause your blood pressure to
rise) and a history of blood clots (deep, high-
pressure strokes could cause an embolism).
How does it work?
Massage isn't just for adults, either. A
groundbreaking study showed that when trained
parents gave their hospitalized, premature babies
a firm, 15-minute massage three times a day, the
babies gained weight more quickly and went home
earlier than unrubbed preemies.