Massage;

The manual manipulation of soft tissues—muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and skin—using pressure, movement, and stretching techniques. It’s practiced for a variety of purposes including relaxation, pain relief, improved circulation, increased range of motion, and support for healing from injury.

Core elements

• Techniques: Effleurage (long glides), petrissage (kneading), friction (deep circular rubbing), tapotement (tapping), vibration, and stretching; styles combine these.

• Pressure & intent: Light for relaxation/lymph flow; deep to break adhesions or release trigger points. Goals (relaxation, rehab, pain relief) guide technique and depth.

• Modalities: Swedish (relaxation/circulation), deep tissue (chronic tension), sports (performance/injury), myofascial release (gentle sustained pressure), trigger point therapy (muscle knots), lymphatic drainage (light rhythmic strokes), prenatal (pregnancy‑adjusted).

• Benefits: Short‑term—reduced stress/anxiety, muscle tension, and temporary pain; improved relaxation. Repeated—better chronic pain management, flexibility, circulation, lymph flow, soft‑tissue recovery, sleep, and well‑being.

• Physiology: Stimulates parasympathetic (rest‑and‑digest) activity and increases local blood flow. Reduces muscle tone and adhesions, stimulates mechanoreceptors that can modulate pain, and can influence hormone levels related to stress and relaxation.

• Safety and contraindications: Massage is generally safe when provided by trained professionals, but it may be inappropriate or require modification for certain conditions: active infections, fever, deep vein thrombosis, certain cardiovascular conditions, recent surgery or fractures, uncontrolled bleeding disorders, some skin conditions, and certain pregnancy complications. Always disclose medical history, medications, and any implants or devices. Therapists should adapt technique, avoid affected areas, or recommend medical clearance when needed.

Massage is a versatile therapy that can be tailored to support relaxation, recovery, and functional improvement when applied appropriately and safely.