WHAT IS MASSAGE ?

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It is a manual therapy that manipulates the soft tissues and decreases muscle tension, pain, stress and depression. 

TYPES OF MASSAGE.
These vary from trigger point therapy to connective tissuse and myofascial release or more specific modalites such as shiatsu and reflexology. The condition presented will determine the type of massage needed but this can also be modified according to the individual 's tolerance. Everybody's threshold with pain is unique and so the application and type of manual therapy has to be tailored to meet needs of the  patient.                        


THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS .

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  • Increases circulation;
  • enhances the immune system;
  • promotes nervous system functioning;
  • reduces blood pressure;   relieves  pain and muscle tension;                                   improves moods, intellectual reasoning and job performance;


Depending on the techniques used, massage can :

  • Stimulate the nervous system to help reduce muscle atrophy;
  • increase muscle tone;
  • stimulate the functions of the skin or an organ deep inside the body;
  • sedate the nervous system to help ease muscle tension, spasticity, stress-related symptons and headaches;
  • boost the functioning of the immune system and maintains health when done regularly;
  • allow better range of motion and support the connective tissues and muscles in becoming strong and healthy when doing simple joint movements and stretching. 


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Risks of massage :

Most people benefit from massage but there are certain conditions where it may not be appropriate;

  • Bleeding disorders or taking blood thinning medication;
  • burns, open or healing wounds;
  • deep vein thrombosis;
  • fractures;
  • severe osteoporosis;
  • severe thrombocytopenia;