5 Common Myths About Massage Therapy, Debunked!
Massage therapy has many undeniable benefits that can make a big change to one’s life. Allow me to debunk some myths about massage therapy!
Myth #1. Women shouldn’t get massages while they are pregnant.
What?! There is a grossly incorrect misconception that massage will cause early labor or miscarriage. I even had a client worried about having a certain pressure point avoided at all costs. No, no, no people. Massage has been around for centuries. Therapists don’t go around setting ladies off into labor left and right. Massage does no such thing. In fact, massage can ease sore muscles associated with pregnancy and help with circulation and lymphatic drainage. Lymphatic drainage can relieve pregnancy-related edema such as swollen ankles.
Myth #2. Drinking water after a massage will flush out toxins.
There is no scientific evidence that the act of massaging muscle tissue releases toxins. Furthermore, drinking water will not flush out any of the toxins that… have not been released to start with. Sorry. To answer the question, should you drink water after a massage, this article is my personal favorite.
Myth #3. The effects of massage are only temporary.
So are the effects of exercise and a good diet if you want to look at life that way. Truthfully, massage is most effective when utilized as a frequent therapy. Frequency differs from person to person and situation by situation. Sessions may be needed 3 times a month to treat a sports injury or once every 4-6 weeks to maintain a pain-free state once achieved. A muscle has memory and the more you retrain the muscle’s memory to perform correctly, the more permanent the results.
Myth #4. You should stay silent during a massage.
Goodness, please don’t hesitate to speak up with feedback. You are, after all, paying for the service. While the therapist will know best as to what muscles to treat, only the client can communicate if the pressure is too painful or if they are freezing cold and would like a blanket. The worst thing in the world for a massage therapist is to receive a complaint after the fact that could have easily been remedied at the time.
Myth #5. Getting a massage can spread cancer.
It was once thought that massage could spread cancer cells throughout the body. Cancer cells form due to a malfunctioning immune system and would form regardless of having the area massaged or not. Massage increases circulation but does not cause cancerous cells to “move” or spread. If that were the case, simply exercising would spread cancerous cells.
So there you have it, 5 myths about massage therapy. So what does massage do? Well! Let me tell you.
It used to be a common thought that massage was purely a form of pampering. However, certain modalities are extremely therapeutic and yield powerful effects. More and more doctors are sending their patients to a massage therapist to aid in recovery or overall well-being. Science shows us that massages from professionally trained therapists can:
- Reduce soreness, stiffness or muscle spasms
- Manage or relieve stress (and associated insomnia)
- Assist in injury rehabilitation and recovery
- Help maintain wellness or fitness
- Relieve headaches
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate
Foundationally, regular massage therapy sessions are a tool to a higher state of overall wellness. Start in on a regular massage schedule and experience for yourself the benefits. We have discounted packages for most of our services to get you set on the right track.
