Massage therapy is nothing new. In reality, it traces back to ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations to treat various ailments. Now, massage therapy is everywhere—from downtown Edmonton to across the continent. Yet, dozens of misconceptions continue to permeate the healing therapy niche. Learn about what rings true and what is just a myth!
Myth 1 – Massages Only Achieve Relaxation
Yes, relaxation is a primary component of a massage. Regardless of the type of massage you enjoy, it likely promotes a sense of well-being and allows you to destress.
However, massage therapy provides benefits beyond a temporary calm. It also treats various problems, from headaches and back pain to digestive disorders and soft tissue injuries.
Myth 2 – All Massages are the Same
Visit your local spa, and you’re likely to be greeted by an expansive menu of massages! The typical massage parlour will offer a deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, or hot stone massage.
Hot stone massages involve warm stones on specific points of the body, whereas the ever-popular Swedish massage entails broad strokes to release tension. On the other hand, deep tissue massages target lower connective tissue and muscle levels to release knots developed through intense exercise or sport.
Myth 3 – Anyone is Capable of Performing a Therapeutic Massage
Anyone can give a back rub—massage therapy is an entirely different story. Massage therapists will undergo rigorous training and enlist in classes to study anatomy, neuromuscular therapy, and pathology.
Depending on the state in which you reside, massage therapists must obtain a license and occasionally advance their skills in prenatal or lymphatic drainage massages and myofascial release.
Myth 4 – It Can Induce Miscarriages in Pregnant Women
Pre-natal massages exist for a reason—to ease the symptoms of pregnancy, not worsen them! On advice from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, pregnant individuals should always seek advice from their primary physician before scheduling a massage to create the best possible environment for both mother and baby.
Therapists with pre-natal massaging experience can ease aches and pains, reduce swelling and discomfort, and promote healing during pregnancy.
Myth 5 – It Toxins from the Body
Currently, there is no scientific evidence that massage therapy flushes toxins from the body. While it does pose dozens of benefits, removing toxins isn’t one of them.
Myth 6 – It Has to Hurt
Some types of massages will involve applying more significant pressure on specific points of the body. However, massage therapy doesn’t have to hurt to maximize health benefits. If a massage is more painful than you can handle, it’s likely doing more harm than good!
Myth 7 – It’s Based on Pseudoscience
Massage therapy is scientifically-backed to boost immune system function, decrease stress hormones, improve circulation, and even treat depression or insomnia conditions. Long gone are the days massage therapy was ever considered “new age.”
Myth 8 – It’s Only for Adults
The effects that massage therapy imparts on children are identical to those in adults. Older children and teens who engage in active sports can benefit from the non-invasive treatment of massage therapy.
Myth 9 – You Can Leave Out Any Health Conditions
Everyone has the right to keep specific health conditions to themselves. However, it may come in handy for your therapist to know your pain points to alleviate them effectively. The more they know about your health, the better they’ll be able to provide the appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Massage therapy provides no shortage of benefits. Whether you need to eliminate chronic pain, improve flexibility, restore range of motion, or simply destress after a long, arduous workday, your massage therapist will know just the right treatment.
At Soul 2 Sole, we perform Edmonton’s best-rated Thai massages and work with only the most highly-skilled therapists on the market. We love giving your body the attention it deserves by prioritizing specialized care.
