Are you tense, stressed out, or dealing with a greater illness? Maybe it’s just spring fatigue and you’re looking for a natural relief? Chances are, you’re a great candidate for a therapeutic massage.
A high-quality therapeutic massage can help you relieve tension and live your best life. Read about the overall benefits of this type of massage, and how it differs from other types of popular massage.
What is a therapeutic massage?
In general, a therapeutic massage helps relax your body and works on specific tight spots to offer relief. How a massage therapist approaches a therapeutic massage depends on your individual needs and requests.
Who should get a therapeutic massage?
Anyone who is looking for better circulation, relief from muscle tension, or decreased levels of stress is a great candidate for therapeutic massage. Therapeutic massage may also complement other types of care. For example, patients who are going through major treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or dialysis may benefit from massage as an additional form of therapy.
The benefits of therapeutic massage
Therapeutic massage works wonders for your health and overall being. The benefits vary widely, including:
- Stress relief
- Increased blood and lymph circulation
- Lower blood pressure
- Higher immunity
- Minor injury pain relief
- Improved posture
- Better sleep
- A balanced body and mind
The difference between therapeutic and Swedish massage
Although therapeutic and Swedish massage practices overlap, there are a couple key differences.
A Swedish massage is meant for relaxation. A massage therapist will use a combination and gliding and kneading strokes to release muscular tension.
While a therapeutic massage will also help you relax, it focuses on discomfort and muscle tension. It’s usually more intense than a Swedish massage and it targets tight spots to improve your range of motion.
The difference between therapeutic and deep tissue massage
A therapeutic massage will help you relieve pain or focus on a specific problem. Although a deep tissue massage can help with this as well, it’s a more aggressive form of massage. With a deep tissue a massage, a therapist will really dig into their patient with knuckles and elbows, getting close to the bone.
A deep tissue massage may focus on issues such as trigger point therapy, myofascial massage, or neuromuscular massage.
Will my insurance pay for my massage?
Overall, it depends on your health insurance provider. Some plans are more generous than others. You may benefit from a doctor-prescribed massage, especially for the following problems:
- Anxiety
- Nerve pain
- Sports injuries (see: sports massage)
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Other minor injuries
Don’t worry if your health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of a therapeutic massage. You may have another option: FSAs or HSAs. Those are flexible savings accounts and health savings accounts. If your employer offers an FSA or HSA, you can spend those pre-tax dollars on a massage through your designated debit card.
In fact, we have an entire blog post on using your FSA or HSA to pay for massages, so you can take advantage of this pre-tax benefit.
How can I get a massage?
Zeel offers on-demand massages through our app in over 85 cities in the United States, so you can order a massage in a matter of hours.
How can I set the stage for a great therapeutic massage?
- Let your massage therapist know what the trouble spots you need help with
- Add light music for an improved ambiance
- Lower the lights to help you relax
- Silence your phone and shut off distractions
Whether you decide to go for a therapeutic massage, deep tissue massage, or Swedish massage, prioritizing your well being will pay off in both the short-term and long-term. That’s the best kind of gift you can give yourself.
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