Benefits for Overworked Muscles

• One of the most popular massage techniques, called deep tissue massaging, helps to isolate and stimulate core muscle groups that may otherwise be stressed or overworked. Although sometimes painful, deep tissue massages work each muscle individually and help to reduce tension and stress in the muscle and surrounding tissue. Knots, or centers of tension, are also eliminated during a deep tissue massage. In addition, the movements used in deep tissue massages also help to stimulate the muscles and circulate the blood, so that it washes over the muscles and surrounding tissue.
  
  

Benefits for Muscle Strains

• Patients suffering from piriformis syndrome, a debilitating condition that affects the piriformis muscle, located in the back of the thigh and buttocks, often experience relief from regular massage therapy sessions. Trained specialists are familiar with a wide variety of massage techniques that help reduce tension in the muscle and increase recovery time. One technique, called Trigger Point therapy, helps to eliminate myofascial trigger points located along the piriformis muscle. In addition, myofascial release techniques must be used to separate the piriformis muscle from the surrounding tissue. This technique may also lengthen the piriformis muscle, reducing the likelihood of a repeat injury.
  
  

Benefits for Blood Flow

• In addition, regular massages help to circulate and regulate blood flow around the body. The repeated pressure and movement used in massages help to increase the rate of blood flow and stimulate nerve receptors. In addition, massages help to stimulate a fluid called lymph, which carries impurities and waste away from the tissue and throughout the lymphatic system, acting as a filter. Because the movement of lymph is largely determined by muscle stimulation and not blood flow, inactive people often have a lower lymph rate. Similarly, those who work out often may have tired muscles that are incapable of transporting lymph. In both cases, massages help to transport lymph across the body, cleansing the system and increasing the patient's overall health.