Massage therapy can be very effective when it comes to relieving your pain and helping you to recover from various injuries or deal with certain conditions. However, many people tend to have a superficial understanding of what massage therapy is and what it can accomplish, which leads them to have unrealistic expectations about what it can do for them. For others, misconceptions about massage therapy may make them doubt its legitimacy as a treatment option.
In this article, we’ll go over a few common misconceptions about massage therapy so you can be well-informed and make the best decision concerning your needs. Here are several misconceptions about massage therapy to keep in mind:
- Myth: It is really no different from a spa massage. This is false. Massage therapy focuses on specific problem areas and may be used in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments or other treatments to promote healing. In contrast, spa massage is meant to help people relax, but it won’t necessarily do anything for injuries or underlying conditions.
- Myth: Anyone can call themselves a massage therapist. People use the term “massage therapist” liberally, but only those who have undergone the necessary training at an approved massage therapy program can call themselves massage therapists.
- Myth: It mainly helps the muscles. It’s true that massage therapy helps the muscles, but it can also stretch tightened tissue, move fluids to help swollen joints and improve the circulation of blood.
- Myth: It only offers temporary relief. Spa massages may offer temporary relief and relaxation, but massage therapy is meant to have long-term results as part of the recovery process. Regular massages from a qualified therapist helps retrain your muscles, so you can find relief from pain.