Two Kinds of Massage Therapy Benefits

Massage therapy benefits can be classified in to two broad types; medical and non-medical. The medical massage therapy benefits are enjoyed when a licensed therapist helps reduce or eradicate aches and pains in the back and other muscle areas of the body. That is why several chiropractors and OB/GYN offices employ full time massage therapists for their patients. People at work on a computer all day can complain of shoulder and neck pain. Those in the retail industry can complain of standing for extended hours of time and hence have swollen ankles and leg pain. Those in the construction or other heavy industry business can have to lift huge amounts of weight and hence can have lower back issues or even herniated discs. Massage as a Supplement to Drugs While massage therapy can not be the cure for serious medical concerns, it is often used for relatively minor ailments as well as a supplement to medical treatment. The power of touch is very strong especially when you have a qualified person who has learnt all about the physiology and anatomy of your body and knows pressure points and knots when he or she sees them. Injuries after trauma or accidents can also often be cured with supplementary massage treatment to the affected area. Massage therapy benefits are numerous and each person reacts to the kneading, rubbing, pushing and stretching in different ways. Some like deep tissue massage that really feels like the therapist fingers and knuckles are penetrating in to the skin to get really deep into the muscle. Others however prefer a relatively more subtle form of therapy. Non-medical Massage Therapy Benefits The non-medical massage therapy benefits include a better mood, reduced chances of depression, a more positive attitude towards life and a cheerier disposition. These attributes cannot be measured on any diagnostic medical test but can make a big difference in how a person approaches life. At times the greatest drug can not have the effect on a person that a relaxing one hour of total seclusion and pampering can. Drugs often have unfavorable side effects and make the person feel like he is sick and in need of help. The massage therapy benefits however make the person feel like he is being looked after, pampered and indulged in a form of luxury and that he deserves to feel good about himself. While these massage therapy benefits are much harder to quantify or describe, they are often more powerful.