Massage Away Stress

Need a respite from the stresses of life for an hour or two? A good massage may be what the doctor ordered. Gone are the days when a regular massage was considered a luxury, or the province of pampered housewives, professional athletes and well-heeled travelers. Now massage is offered at airports, dental offices, nail spas and hair salons. As treatments such as massage move beyond the luxury beauty industry and into the realm of routine health and wellness, more men (not just pro ballers) are enjoying the benefits of massage therapy. Some pediatricians even recommend parents try it for soothing cranky babies or adding it to children’s nighttime wind-down rituals to help induce restful slumber.

An ancient therapeutic tradition, massage as a modern practice in the U.S. includes techniques from various world cultures, including India, China and Japan. Practitioners in both alternative and mainstream health communities regard soothing and healing touch techniques as vital to people’s overall well-being and ability to relax.

According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown that massage, while not a replacement for medical care, can help relieve a number of medical conditions, including anxiety, sports injuries, headaches, stress-related insomnia and digestive disorders. Other benefits may include improved posture, improved circulation, pain management, general stress relief, increased flexibility and relief of muscle tension and joint pain.

It’s no wonder the popularity of massage therapy is increasing. Many Americans work longer hours, endure longer commutes to the office and take fewer and shorter vacations – if any – than in years past. And with many workers stuck behind a desk or at a computer for much of the day, five days a week, massage can be a part of a treatment regimen for ailments associated with sedentary lifestyles and for repetitive stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and “tennis elbow.”

But it isn’t only work that is raising stress levels. Many parents face intense demands as children’s school and extracurricular activities – on top of mom and dad’s own crammed schedules and social calendars – require ever-increasing time and resources from overstretched families. For those who can find the money and time, a massage is an effective way to manage stress and gain mental and physical benefits that can accrue with consistent therapy.

Get Rubbed the Right Way

The most common types of massage, notes the Mayo Clinic, are Swedish, deep tissue, sports and trigger point, which focuses on tight muscle areas resulting from injury or strain. Massage may leave you feeling a bit sore but should not be painful. Speak up if you feel too much pressure during your session. Pregnant women and people with certain medical concerns, including allergies, should always make their condition known to their massage therapist before the start of every session.

Terri Prettyman Bowles is a Westchester-based writer, editor and content producer.

Ready to hop onto the massage table?

Westchester residents have an array of options. Here are just a few: