Can Massage Help with Detox?

On March 23, 2020   /   Massage Therapy   /   Leave a comment
Can Massage Help with Detox?

Detox is a popular word these days. Our lives are polluted by toxins as we go about our normal activity. The processed foods we eat, the cleaning chemicals we use, makeup and lotions, the air we breath, etc. It can be really overwhelming if you do a deep-dive into all the ways we can come across toxins.

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The good news is that our bodies are remarkably resilient. There are many things you can to do reduce the amount of toxins your body has to process. A detox also helps boost your immune system.

There is also a lot of contradicting information about whether or not massage therapy helps to detox the body.

Adding Massage to Your Detox Program Will Help

As a massage therapist my belief is that, no, the massage itself does not remove toxins from the body. However, it can assist the body in eliminating them and alleviate some symptoms. Here’s how:

  • Massage increases blood flow to all parts of a body, which can promote healing to injured areas
  • Lymphatic massage helps reduce the build up of fluids in the lymphatic system which helps the body eliminate toxins
  • Temporary muscle aches can accompany a detox protocol and massage can help alleviate some of the discomfort
  • Massage also promotes sleep which is great for your immune system and an important part of any detox program
  • Infrared mats and saunas. One of the most powerful benefits of infrared spa treatments is detoxification of the body. It is a way to comfortably sweat, relax, and purify skin.

For a full list of all the benefits of therapeutic massage, please read What is Therapeutic Massage?

Recovering from Addictions and Drug Use Disorders

If you or a loved one is in recovery and healing from a drug use disorder, massage therapy can be a big help in this area for all the same reasons as listed above. Drugs and medications (prescription based or recreational) also introduce chemicals and toxins into our body. As the physical and mental symptoms of withdrawal set in, massage therapy can help reduce them to a more manageable level. Massage is a great alternative to pain management when painkillers are not an option.

The Detox Wrap Up

Regardless of the reason for your detox program, massage therapy can help with some of the symptoms that come with your body eliminating toxins. Despite the contradiction in the medical information available, I believe that the incorporating massage therapy into your detox protocol will help you manage the process. I’d love to talk to you about your health journey and all the steps you are taking to improve your healthy. Give us a call at 517-898-2899 

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What is a Therapeutic Massage?

On March 2, 2020   /   Massage Therapy   /   1 Comment
What is a Therapeutic Massage?

There are differences between a therapeutic massage and a spa massage. Sometimes a therapeutic massage is also called a clinical or medical massage . The main goal of a spa massage is typically relaxation, stress relief, and promoting good sleep.

However, a therapeutic massage treatment is planned out with a specicial goal in mind. Typically, to relieve pain or tension on a specific part of the body. Often patients are referred by a doctor and insurance may even cover all or some of the treatments. With therapeutic treatment, the intention is to improve a specific ailment or condition.  A common reason for therapeutic massage is often injury resulting from a car accident.

These types of massage are often covered by insurance and All Body Kneads also accepts Health Savings Accounts and Health Flex spending accounts.

Types of Therapeutic Massage

There are many different types of massage and therapeutic massage uses techniques that target specific areas or issues. The two most common types are:

Myofascial Release

Myofascial tissue is a type of thin, strong, fibrous connective tissue that extends throughout your body to provide support and protection to your muscles and bones. When this tissue gets damaged, tightened, or “bunched up” it can cause pain. In severe cases a patient can develop Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

During a myofascial release massage the therapist gently massages the myofascia and feels for stiff or tightened areas. Normal myofascia should feel pliable and elastic. The therapist will begin massaging and stretching the areas that feel rigid with light manual pressure. This allows the tissue to release pressure and tightness. The process is repeated multiple times on the same area (and any other ares) until the the tension is fully released.

Conditions that are treated by myofascial release include:

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point massage is designed to relieve pain in particular areas of the body by applying pressure or vibration into trigger points. Trigger points are points in the muscles where knots may form, and the pinpointed pressure is designed to relax those knots and ease pain.  

It can be a safe self-treatment with the potential to help with many common pain problems that don’t respond well (or at all) to anything else.

Treatment is very similar to myofascial release. Muscle pain is big deal and aches and pains are an extremely common medical complaint. Trigger points seem to be a factor in many of them.

Common conditions treated by trigger point therapy include:

  • sciatica
  • carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Chronic jaw pain
  • toothaches
  • earaches
  • sinusitis
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • dizziness
  • A sore throat or a lump in the throat 
  • fibromyalgia 
  • unexplained pain

Therapeutic Message Results

While a spa massage may successfully relax you or temporarily relieve some stress, therapeutic massage will produce tangible results. It is based around your health needs and goals. All Body Kneads provides therapeutic massage and Bilky is experienced in both Myofascial Release and Trigger Point Therapy.

Please call 517-898-2899 or visit our website to book an appointment online.

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