Massage Therapy: Deep Tissue and Lymphatic Benefits

Massage therapy is an effective way to reduce stress and improve circulation. Explore the specific benefits of deep tissue and lymphatic drainage massages, and learn how to use hot towels and hand pressure points for therapeutic relief.

Man massaging woman's back

How to Give a Stress Relief Massage

Stress can come from any number of sources that can sometimes catch you off-guard, but its effects on the body have a fairly predictable pattern. Most people carry stress tension in the shoulders, neck and head -- which is why a stressful day can bring on a nasty headache.

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How to Massage One's Own Prostate

The prostate is a soft walnut-shaped gland below the bladder that swells with fluid during sexual arousal. The prostate enlarges with age. Problems such as difficulty urinating or prostate cancer are associated with an enlarged prostate. According to an article in the "Valley Advocate,"

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Young woman getting a neck massage

Neck Massage Techniques for Pain & Stiffness

Neck pain and stiffness can make daily life difficult and even prevent your ability to work or function. Resolving neck pain may require long-term treatment and the joint efforts of many health care providers, including medical doctors, chiropractors and licensed massage therapists.

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Close up of beautiful woman enjoying oil massage

Back Massage Benefits

Massage was once considered a luxury—something you’d enjoy at a spa or health club. However, the benefit of a massage is now considered a more mainstream therapy and is often recommended by doctors and other medical professionals. The Mayo Clinic staff recognizes massage as part of an overall wellness program.

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Foot massage in the spa salon

Foot Massage Benefits

Foot massage has been practiced in many cultures for centuries to promote health and well-being. Today, massage is considered a complementary and alternative medicine used by millions to relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety, rehabilitate injuries and boost general health.

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Massage

Step-by-Step Back Massage

When giving a good back massage, there's a fine line between "Ooh, that's the spot" and "Ow, you're killing me." For novice massagers, stick to slow, rhythmic pressure on the muscle tissue, which will feel like a piece of firm steak. Don't rub on the bones or joints, which can make any back pain worse.

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What Are the Benefits of Calf Massage?

Your body's two calf muscles--gastrocnemius and soleus--help you walk, run and jump. Because of their unique anatomy and because of the way they act on your knee and ankle joints, your calf muscles are extremely powerful and can perform an incredible amount of work. But what happens when you sustain a calf injury?

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How to Give a Sensual Full Body Massage

Sensual massage is an ideal way for sexual partners to explore intimacy. Erotic massage makes for exciting foreplay in the bedroom and can be used to spice up a couple’s sexual bond. You don’t have to know anything about massage therapy to enjoy sensual massage. Look at it as an adventure.

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young man doing yoga and gymnastics on the grass

Massage Therapy & Hamstring Injuries

The hamstrings are three muscles on the back of your thigh. Hamstring injury is due to overuse or trauma. One of the factors in hamstring strain is an imbalance between the hamstrings and the quadriceps muscles. Massage can help to prevent hamstring injuries by balancing the muscles on the front and back of the leg.

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A stock photograph of a detailed close up of a sponge.

Dry Brushing Vs. Exfoliating

We all know that exfoliation can transform skin from dry and flaky to smooth and radiant. There are several techniques, such as exfoliation and dry brushing that slough off dry cells and help improve the appearance of your skin.

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Electrical Stimulation Therapy Vs. Massage Therapy

Therapy can be provided from a variety of clinicians, including physical, occupational and massage therapists. Similar interventions are used by all of these professionals because these interventions yield positive results.

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Hand massage

What Are the Benefits of a Hand Massage?

Receiving a hand massage can provide you with significant health benefits. Hand massage typically is quick, relaxing and provides you with immediate health benefits, such as improved finger and wrist range of motion, enhanced circulation and reduction of your trigger points—hyperirritable nodules—in your hand muscles.

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Thai massage series : Foot and leg massage

What Are the Benefits of Leg Massage?

Massage is the therapeutic application of healing touch. Massage is an ancient form of healing and relaxation, and the gentle pressure of hands feels good on sore muscles. Not only does leg massage make you feel good, it has significant health benefits that aid relief from stress, disease, and pain.

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What Are the Pressure Points to Massage?

Massaging pressure points on the human body is both pleasurable and therapeutic. It can help relieve pain, improve circulation and channel the flow of energy. There are hundreds of pressure points all over the human body. Most are found in soft tissue near bundles of nerves and joints.

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Close-up of a woman massaging a person's foot

How to Massage Feet to Relieve Aches

Feet ache for many reasons -- standing too long, walking too much, poorly fitted shoes or minor injuries. A good foot massage can help feet feel better, but professional massages can be expensive or inconvenient.

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Massage & Skin Toxin Release

Everyone enjoys having a massage, with the relaxation and tension relief it brings. The Patient Education Institute defines massage therapy as "

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Woman lying face down having cupping acupuncture

What Are the Benefits of Cupping Massage?

Cupping is a massage modality that finds its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. The practice uses glass cups to create a vacuum seal on areas of the body. The suction created by this seal brings blood to the surface of the skin and is thought to help expel negative energies from the body.

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Woman laying on table having a massage

How to Get Your Doctor to Approve Massage for Insurance

At times, a massage is more than a mere stress-relief tactic. Therapeutic massage can help people deal with pain, depression and other maladies. In these cases, the massage is deemed medically necessary, and should be covered by health insurance.

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Massage & Muscle Therapy

Occupational therapists, physical therapists, and massage therapists provide massage to treat, heal, and strengthen your muscles. Therapists must be specially trained to perform massages, and therapists use massages to increase the functional use of your muscles and decrease pain.

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