Pre & Post Surgery Benefits from Massage
Surgery and Massage
Pre- and post-operatively - Before surgery, massage relaxes muscles and increases circulation to prepare patients for the procedure. After surgery, therapeutic massage can enhance patients’ comfort and help in the reduction of adhesion formation.
Therapeutic massage offers benefits in body's physiological systems
Here are two examples:
Ø Muscoskeletal - Helps maintain a balanced posture through release of holding patterns in soft tissue, and increases the flow of nutrients to bones. Muscular - Relieves tension, helps eliminate waste matter (especially lactic acid) from muscles, and can help reduce muscle adhesions resulting from injury.
Ø Circulatory - Can aid in improving blood circulation, relieving congestion and increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells throughout the body. Massage can also ease the strain on the heart by stimulating return blood to vital organs and increasing the movement of lymph throughout the body.
Depending on the client's needs, Journeys Fitness and Wellness, Inc, offer treatments that draw on several methods of therapeutic massage
Ø Relaxing massage employs a variety of strokes to stimulate circulation (including the lymphatic system) and relax body tissue, including muscle fibers.
Ø Myofascial Release massage elongates fascia through the application of a sustained, gentle stretch and/or pressure. This can include `holding' a trigger point until it releases. Binding patterns in fascia can result from chronic postural patterns, injury or even stress. This method brings relief for chronic muscle tightness by focusing on particular areas rather than all-around massage. Trigger point therapy also can be used in this technique.
Ø Sports massage is used to help prevent injuries, to prepare the body for athletic activity and maintain it in optimal condition, and to help athletes recover from workouts and injuries. It also aids in increasing muscular tissue circulation and decreasing hypertonicity. In the case of an injury, massage may help reduce healing time and reduce adhesions.
Apparently more people are turning to alternative methods for healing: According to a 1999 survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, more than 25 percent of Americans had a massage from a massage therapist in the previous five years. This is an increase from 22% in 1998 and 17% in 1997. One in three reported having a massage for medical reasons, such as relieving muscle soreness and other pain, improving circulation and recovering from injury. The psychological benefits of relieving aches and pains are just as invigorating as the physical ones. Many people attest to increased alertness and deeper concentration after a massage.
Debbie Stickney, LMT NCTMB
FL License # MA35774
Nationally Certified 324052-00
Revised: January 18, 2008 |
