Best Rehabs with Massage Therapy

Massage therapy involves touch and pressure on your skin to enhance wellness and manage certain health conditions. It’s been used throughout history to relieve pain, stress, and improve physical and emotional health. You receive massage therapy from a massage therapist who’s been educated on muscles, pressure points, and, in some cases, your endocrine system.

Types of Massage Therapy

Massage techniques include Swedish massage, sports massages, deep tissue massage, Shiatsu, Tuina, and pressure point massages. Massage therapists commonly use Swedish massage to manipulate your skin and tissues to soften muscles and promote relaxation. Sports massages target specific muscles to help athletes perform better and recover from injuries. Massage therapists using Eastern techniques like Shiatsu and Tuina use their fingertips or whole body.

The type of massage you receive often depends on where you go for treatment (some massage studios may specialize in Eastern techniques, for example). Depending on where you go and their massage therapists’ specialties, you could also request a certain type of massage. Some massage therapists may incorporate aromatherapy, hot stones, gentle music, and soft lighting to enhance the experience.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can reduce stress, soothe tension, and relieve pain. It can improve your overall quality of life if you continually go to sessions. Evidence also shows premature babies can gain weight faster when regularly massaged. Patients with fibromyalgia reported massage therapy helped with their pain and reduced anxiety and depression.

Even if you don’t have a substance use disorder, physical condition, or mental health condition, massage therapy can help relieve occasional stress, improve your mood, and help you relax. You can realize these benefits by going once every couple weeks, or really, as often as you can.

Massage Therapy for Addiction

Massage therapy can help you recover from addiction by providing stress relief and relaxation. At a rehab with massage therapy, you may receive massages during withdrawal to relieve discomfort. During and after treatment, massages can help you lower your stress and better cope with the stressors that may have once prompted a relapse.

Massage Therapy for Mental Health

Massage therapy can lower your stress level and ease some symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Massage therapy doesn’t replace talk therapy or medications for mental health conditions but can serve as a supportive service.

Risks of Massage Therapy

Though the likelihood is very low, deep tissue massages could cause harmful effects. These harmful effects include nerve damage, broken bones, and blood clots. After a massage, your skin may feel a little hot and look red. That’s normal and goes away after a few minutes.

To avoid the potential risks, check that your massage therapist is state-licensed and experienced. You can look for a certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. Massage therapists aren’t required to have this certification, but many get one anyway.

What to Expect at Your First Session

You’ll likely begin by undressing, though not all massage therapists need to work skin-on-skin. Your massage therapist will then describe your session and what areas of your body they’ll address. For example, they might say they’ll work on your shoulders and neck if you’re experiencing tension and headaches. After your session, which usually lasts 30-90 minutes, you’ll get dressed and have a few minutes to ground yourself.