Massage warms the muscles to relieve stress-related tension.
Adults are under some amount of stress on a daily basis. Dealing with deadlines at work, chores and errands from home, and disagreements with loved ones are all stressful. This stress shows up in muscles as knots and tension. Techniques of massage that are useful in relieving stress-related tension include effleurage, oscillation, temperature, compression and kneading.
Effleurage
Throughout treatment, massage therapists use the light touch effleurage stroke to spread massage oil and warm the muscles for massage. This stroke is performed with long soothing strokes that invite the recipient to relax and ease tension caused by stress. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and brings the recipient into a rest and relaxation state.
Oscillation
Oscillation is a rocking technique in which the therapist utilizes the weight of the recipient's body to relieve stress-related tension. This therapy is based on the belief that the subconscious mind controls tension in tight muscles and that the mind can be coaxed into releasing that tension through rocking. The technique lulls the recipient into a nearly sleeping state to forget about daily stress and relax.
Temperature
Temperature therapy massage is most often administered with the use of hot stones. Smooth, strategically shaped stones are heated to 120 degrees and used in massage. The heat of the stones penetrates the muscles and invites them to relax. The therapist places the stones on the body until they lose heat or uses them to knead and compress tight muscles. The result feels as if the effects of stress are melted away with the heat.
These treatments also are done with alternating temperatures to rejuvenate and energize the recipient. Cold stones, referred to as "less heat" stones, are applied alternately to the heated ones to increase circulation and replenish energy. The treatment relaxes the previously stressed recipient while leaving him ready to face the day.
Compression and Kneading
Massage therapists compress and knead tight muscles to relieve tension caused by stress. Long-term stress sometimes results in severe tightness in muscles called knots. These techniques break up adhesions and separate the fibers of the muscles, helping them relax. Compressions over the occipital bone and temples can relieve a stress-related tension headache.
Tags: stress-related tension, relieve stress-related, relieve stress-related tension, tight muscles, caused stress