Saturday, January 3, 2009

Get Pain Relief: A Massage Chair Performs Deep Tissue Massage

By Steve Esquire

Deep tissue massage is found to be effective at relieving more chronic pain conditions. Lighter massage techniques do not penetrate as deeply to be effective. When a deep tissue massage is applied, it targets the deeper layers of the muscles. Muscles breakdown when used. To restore flexibility and heal scar tissue, deep pressure and stroking is applied. The stroking and pressure stretch out the muscle tissues increasing their flexibility.

After performing exercise, you may notice your muscles become stiffer. Exercise breaks down the muscle tissue making the tendons shorter and more fibrous. That is why it is good to stretch muscles before and after exercise. While stretching elongates the whole muscle, massage targets smaller regions for restoration. A deep tissue massage seeks to elongate and stretch the tendons to increase their elasticity and flexibility.

To help with flexibility of muscles and muscle groups, many athletic stars obtain deep tissue massages after strenuous exercise. Sports teams maintain massage therapist on staff to provide frequent deep massage to team members. All of us amateurs do not have a massage therapist on staff, so we must find other means.

Studies show that deep tissue is effective for relieving muscle pain, tension and anxiety. Since the daily stress on our bodies is continuous, the treatments are only truly beneficial when received on a continuous, recurring basis. A one time treatment is not a one-time cure all. To get daily pain relief, the treatment must be given with sufficient frequency. This is where a deep tissue massage chair can be a tremendous asset. There is an amazing variety of potential massage therapies to target areas for pain relief.

Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace and deep tissue massage has been integrated into many of the premier massage chair brands. Companies like Panasonic, Omega Massage and others are pushing the limits with ever more varieties massage therapies into their chairs. These massage therapies include air compression, stretching, heating elements, music therapy to name a few. Software programs control all aspects of the deep tissue massage. The program starts the massage more superficially and then gradual works deeper into the muscles working out the tightness, pain and aches.

Most people are surprised to learn how much a massage chair can actually do. The impression is a massage chair is for your back. The reality is massage chairs provide full body therapy. In addition to deep tissue massage, the Panasonic Real Pro Ultra massage chair will stretch your legs. Your arms can be massaged with gentle or firm air pressure as well as your lower body. Omega Massage incorporates heat therapy to enhance blood circulation and promote healing.

Deep tissue massage is not for everyone. Since this massage specifically targets getting to the deep layers of the muscle, most people may feel sore the next day. This is normal as the massage has penetrated to the deeper layers to relieve tension. If this is a concern, then it is always advisable to ask your doctor if this type of massage is appropriate for you. Many health professionals are optimistic that with more studies being performed, that deep tissue massage will be shown to provide more significant benefits for chronic pain sufferers.

To get the full benefit of any massage treatment, it must be performed at a regular, sustained interval. If you exercise regularly, then you should receive massage regularly. Each action like exercise, requires an equal an opposite counteraction like massage therapy. Life is about balance. We know the balance is always changing, so too must the counter balances. Obtaining pain relief is a counter balance to the source of the pain. The healing process is a natural reversal of the damaging process. Look to integrate massage therapy into your routine with a massage chair recliner. They are actually very cost effective in the long run. - 16650

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