A Simple Guide to Types of Massage Therapy

from Inada
The art of massage has been practiced throughout the world for centuries. There are many different types of massage that are found to be the most commonly practiced, especially in the United States.

Most people think that a massage is something luxurious that is only sought after when they want to indulge themselves or “treat” someone else for a special occasion.

More recently, massage therapy has actually been proven to be a legitimate medical practice that aids in the healing of injuries, back pain, headaches, osteoarthritis, and even cancer. Massage has also been proven to help lower heart rate, blood pressure, and reduce stress.
 
Popular Types Of Massage Therapy:
In the United States alone, there are a number of popular massage techniques and styles. What follows is a little bit of information about some of the approaches to massage that are popular in the U.S.

SWEDISH MASSAGE
Swedish Massage is frequently what we mean when we talk generically about “massage therapy,” and is the most basic type of massage performed by trained therapists.
 
The massage therapist uses specific massage oils or lotions while creating long smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle.  

4 common strokes of Swedish massage are: Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, and Tapotement.

Effleurage relaxes the soft tissue of the body by using a smooth, gliding stroke.

Petrissage is the squeezing, rolling, and kneading of the body that follows the effleurage stroke.

Friction is used throughout the massage by creating deep, circular movements causing layers of muscle tissue to rub against each other. This helps to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue.
Finally, the use of a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand is called Tapotement. This is done on the topmost layers of the muscles.

This is all combined with movement of the joints, resulting in the relief of muscle tension. This enables Swedish massage therapy to be both relaxing and energizing. The techniques used in Swedish massage also make it a common therapy to be used after an injury in order to help quicken the healing process and breakdown scar tissue. 

For the specific type of massage you're looking for, please continue reading . . . .

Deep Tissue Massage Heals Internal Scar Tissue?

You may benefit from using deep tissue massage to break down internal scar tissue, also called lesions. In order to reach deep lesions, the massage must penetrate the area with scar tissue. Often the massage itself initially causes pain. While deep tissue massage won't relax your body like a Swedish massage, it does release toxins, increase blood circulation and decrease inflammation. Along with breaking down scar tissue, a deep tissue massage works to eliminate crystallization, restore muscle tone and help chemically balance the body.

Livestrong author claims that deep tissue massage can heal internal scar tissue. 

Ouch!  

You may benefit from using deep tissue massage to break down internal scar tissue, also called lesions. In order to reach deep lesions, the massage must penetrate the area with scar tissue. Often the massage itself initially causes pain. While deep tissue massage won't relax your body like a Swedish massage, it does release toxins, increase blood circulation and decrease inflammation. Along with breaking down scar tissue, a deep tissue massage works to eliminate crystallization, restore muscle tone and help chemically balance the body.

Scar Tissue Connects Organs

Internal scar tissue affects every part of your body including your organs, muscles and connective tissue. Scar tissue forms when the body undergoes trauma or inflammation of your cells and tissue. In some cases, scar tissues link to form an adhesion, which is a band of scar tissue. The adhesion connects two internal parts, which may restrict movement or hinder things like organs from performing their intended functions. Often people with adhesions experience no symptoms or complications. For those who do suffer from adhesions, doctors may perform surgery to remedy the situation.

Break Down Scar Tissue

You may benefit from using deep tissue massage to break down internal scar tissue, also called lesions. In order to reach deep lesions, the massage must penetrate the area with scar tissue. Often the massage itself initially causes pain. While deep tissue massage won't relax your body like a Swedish massage, it does release toxins, increase blood circulation and decrease inflammation. Along with breaking down scar tissue, a deep tissue massage works to eliminate crystallization, restore muscle tone and help chemically balance the body.

Heal Old Wounds

The body forms scars as a way of repairing damage, so allow your body 6 to 12 weeks to heal before beginning any type treatment for scar tissue. Some treatment centers won't agree to work on scar tissue younger than 12 weeks without a doctor's release. Studies show that treatments help with scar tissue 20 to 30 years old, which means you don't need to rush the healing process.

Release the Trigger

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a non-invasive collection of techniques designed to treat problems in the fascia, a net-like membrane that surrounds and separates internal systems like nerves, muscles and organs. Scar tissue binds the fascia together preventing it from functioning. In MFR, therapists use cross-hand stretches, skin rolling, deep stretches and trigger point release to increase hydration, separate the fascia, restore elasticity and decrease compression. Trigger points indicate areas in the body where fibers contract irregularly. The trigger point generally radiates pain and may cause secondary trigger points to develop, further restricting fascia.

Fight Scar Tissue Naturally

Using a variety of herbal remedies often helps dissolve or repair scar tissue. 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E twice daily along with 1,000 mg of vitamin C promotes healing of collagen and connective tissue. Bioflavonoids like hesperetin, quercetin and rutin help the body absorb vitamin C. Thiosinaminum, calcium fluoroide, causticum and graphites also repair scar tissue damage. Depending on the cause of scar tissue, you may respond better to different treatments, so you may need to experiment to find the best combination of herbs.  

There are places in Los Angeles to get a deep tissue massage.  Check out the list from Yelp and call places near you, check for prices and hours.  Get some healin'.