Four Health Issues That Message Therapy Can Help With

Many people enjoy getting a massage, but pleasure isn't the main benefit of a massage. A massage is a form of physical therapy that has several health benefits. For example, it has been found beneficial to those dealing with the following four health issues:

Fractures

Massage therapy can help a fracture heal fast by improving muscle tone and improving blood circulation. However, massaging the exact spot of the fracture, or its immediate surroundings, isn't advisable. The pressure associated with the massage can intensify the pain associated with fractures and delay healing. The massage therapist can work on other parts of the body and only massage the immediate surroundings of the fracture in the later stages of healing.

Burn Injuries

Massage therapy also aids burn injury rehabilitation. Message techniques can help in reducing pain during debridement (removal of dead skin tissues), itching during healing, and anxiety associated with burn injuries. Massages also help to improve the affected joint's range of motion. However, just like in the case of fractures, you cannot apply massage techniques on fresh burn wounds. For one, that would break the blisters and increase the probability of serious scarring. A professional massage therapist will know when you're ready for treatment and how to be careful around your wounds.

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are common types of headaches that have been described as a feeling of tightness, pressure or pain. Tension headaches tend to strike the forehead, back of the head, and neck area. Mainly caused by stress, these headaches are common with adults and can last for a few minutes or days.

Massage therapy is one of the techniques for dealing with tension headaches. Message therapy works because it relieves stress, which is the main trigger for a tension headache, by helping you to relax and releasing your tense muscles. Particular attention should be paid to the affected areas (neck and head muscles) during the massage.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Lastly, massage therapy can also help to relieve gastrointestinal disorders, such as indigestion and flatulence. The therapy can be used instead of or in addition to pharmaceutical products. For these disorders, massage therapy works via different ways; for example, it stimulates blood flow and helps with the movements of the digestive tract.

Therefore, ask your doctor if massage therapy can help you the next time you are suffering from any of these four health problems. It is good to confirm this with your doctor so that, together with the physiotherapist or masseur, they work together to craft the best treatment schedule for your condition. Make sure you get your massage therapy from a licensed professional, such as those at Advance Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, for maximum benefits and to prevent further injuries.