Going to the spa or massage clinic is the best way to go when you have body pains or just want to relax and relieve fatigue. With their calm ambiance and certified therapists, you’ll surely be able to eliminate most of your stress and muscle aches. However, did you know that there’s a difference between a spa and a massage clinic?
Usually, most people use the terms spa and massage clinic interchangeably. However, there’s a difference that separates one from the other. In spas, the purpose of the massage is to relieve your stress and tensions, making you feel good and relaxed.
In massage clinics, each therapy depends on what you want to achieve in a session. It could be pain-relieving treatment and or injury management therapy. However, massage clinics use the same techniques as the spas but with a more specific treatment plan. For example, they use Swedish massage to relieve pain in the tissues and muscles.
If you’re looking for intensive massage therapy, you may visit modernmindbodymassage.com or your local myotherapy clinic for a treatment your mind and body deserve. Furthermore, here are some lesser-known treatments you might want to try at your local massage clinic:
1. Deep Tissue Massage
If you’re into sports and other strenuous activities, you might feel your muscles falling apart and giving up sometimes. In such cases, injuries are most likely bound to happen. Therefore, it would be best to try and have a deep tissue massage.
Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage. It is used to address problems, such as some troubled spots of your body, relieving chronic muscle pains, anxiety, and other stress-causing factors. This type of massage is perfect for people experiencing problems in their musculoskeletal system, such as the following:
- Chronic muscle conditions.
- Strains and sprains.
- Balancing problems.
- Muscle soreness, stiffness, and tenderness.
- Other sports injuries, such as the popular lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow.
Usually, the entire massage treatment session may last for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the severity of your condition. The more serious the problems are, the longer the session will take.
During the session, the professional therapist will apply deep finger pressure and slow strokes, especially to the affected areas. This will help relieve the tension from the farthest region of your muscles and tissues. Also, the therapist may require you to wear only your underwear or be naked. Furthermore, deep tissue massage is a painless therapy even if it’s extremely intense at some point.
2. Sports Massage
Sports massage is similar to deep tissue massage. However, it’s primarily created to help athletes before, during, and after training by conditioning their muscles. Also, its main focus is to address sports injuries, especially those that are repetitive because of excessive muscle use, such as tennis elbow.
However, sports massage is not only intended to treat injuries but also to prevent them from happening. It provides additional support to athletes, increasing their performance, maximizing their flexibility, and reducing their chances of getting injured from strenuous activities. This massage is like a deep tissue massage as it helps relieve anxiety, muscle stress, and pain.
Each session of sports massage may take 60 to 90 minutes, depending on your condition. You may also go for a full-body massage, or in some cases, the therapist may focus on the parts you want to improve and heal. For example, if you want to relieve the pain in your arms, you may ask the therapist to focus entirely on that specific area.
Furthermore, the session can be done in full-body clothing, partial clothing, or naked. If you prefer a massage with clothing, make sure it’s loose and thin to allow the therapist to go deeper beyond your muscle fibers and tissues. Some of the excellent options are tank tops, dry-fit shirts, and loose shirts.
3. Trigger Point Massage
As the name suggests, trigger point massage treats people who have chronic body pains, injuries, or other physical conditions by relieving the trigger points of the body. According to experts, trigger points are the tight areas in your muscle tissue, which could release pain throughout your body. Each session of trigger point massage may last for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on how many tight and stiff areas should get released.
During the massage, the therapist may apply wide, gentle, and flowing strokes to your body. These are combined with deep pressure that relieves the stress in the muscle tissues. This is usually a full-body massage, but the therapist may focus on some tight areas of your body that need to be relieved.
For clothing needs, you may be fully or partially naked, and if you prefer a massage with your clothes on, lightweight and thin clothing is advised. Tank tops and thin-fiber shorts during this massage are excellent choices.
4. Prenatal Massage
If you’re pregnant, you might have heard your doctor suggesting you go on massage therapy that may help you during your pregnancy. This is called prenatal massage and its primary focus is to provide aid for moms-to-be by releasing muscle pain and tension from developing a baby. Also, it helps you relieve the stress caused by pregnancy.
However, prenatal massage is not recommended during the first trimester to avoid the risks of miscarriage. Also, each session may last for only 45 to 60 minutes, which is a bit shorter than other forms of massage.
Prenatal massage works similarly to Swedish massage. Your therapist will use mild strokes, especially in areas affected during your pregnancy, such as legs, lower back, and hips. If you’re worried about lying your belly under, there’s a special table with a cut-out for your belly. This will assist your baby in avoiding congenital issues.
Furthermore, you might need to consult your doctor first in case you have other pains in your body, especially in the target areas, before having a prenatal massage.
Final Words
Massage clinics offer more services other than making you feel relieved and relaxed. These centers are facilitated by trained medical professionals who know the right way to massage and reduce muscle pains, tight tissues, etc.
Unlike spa hubs, massage clinics use specific treatment plans, depending on the condition and problems of every patient. So, all treatment plans are unique and specially crafted. To know which one is the best, it is best to consult a professional and discuss your needs and expectations. Also, speak with your doctor before choosing the massage you want, especially if you have other health concerns.
