Stress Relief Therapy Using Massage

Stress has various effects on people, mostly detrimental. Feeling stressed physically is often a result of strained or tired muscles. When one is stressed, the blood circulation is reduced and this blocks both oxygen and nutrients from being distributed to the brain and the entire body.

To loosen up the muscles and increase blood circulation, you can get a massage as a stress relief therapy. Using massage as a stress relief therapy helps release toxins from the body. There are several massage techniques that are very effective as stress relief therapy. These are the following:

Deep-Tissue Massage

Oxygen and nutrients are blocked when the muscles are stressed. It leads to inflamed muscles due to toxins building up in the tissues. A real good massage targets the cause of this ailment because this massage concentrates on the muscles and tissues around them to get the blood circulating properly. This stress relief therapy will help release the toxins that are harmful to the body.

Acupressure

Acupressure is also a popular massage technique that is commonly in stress relief therapy. Similar to acupuncture, this technique uses points in the body meridians to relieve pain. Acupuncture uses needles while acupressure, as the name suggests, uses pressure by utilizing the fingers, thumbs and elbows. A very low electrical current is sometimes used also. This technique helps release tension in the muscles by applying a certain amount force and then releasing it to send the blood back to the tissue. Acupressure also releases energies located on this points that promote good health.

Swedish massage

This stress relief therapy is the foremost massage technique taught in schools. The Swedish massage technique uses mild strokes on delicate and bony body structures like the face, hands and feet. Stronger, harder strokes are applied over thickly muscled areas like the neck and shoulders.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu massage is a form of acupressure. This technique uses pressure while applying long strokes over the energy fields of the body. According to those who practice this ancient form of stress relief therapy, the strokes are just as important as the opening of the pressure joints. This technique uses joint manipulation, joint rotation and stretching to heal the body, mind and spirit. Shiatsu massage can also be performed while you are soaked in warm water. Warm water actually helps the muscles to relax.

Similar to beauty and medical treatments, different and new massage techniques are emerging these days. A good example is the warm stone massage that uses heated lava rocks for a soothing experience. With all the different types of massage that you can use as stress relief therapy, feel free to try any of them to relieve your body from stress.