Full body massage is one of the most pleasant and useful procedures. When performed correctly, it has a beneficial effect on all organs and tissues of the body, helps cure many diseases, and gets rid of some cosmetic problems. It is no coincidence that general massage is often recommended by doctors to be performed at least once a year.
Whole body massage has a bunch of advantages over partially localized massages. It can help to improve circulation, reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve flexibility. Massage will restore sleep patterns and reduce anxiety.
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What Are the Benefits of a Full-Body Massage?
Full body massage is not accidentally considered one of the most useful and effective procedures for both normalizing health and improving mood.
Firstly, with the help of a general massage, the muscular corset shrinks and relaxes, making it more elastic and supple and eliminating excess lactic acid, often the cause of pain symptoms after heavy physical exertion.
This procedure brings back the tone even to atrophied muscles, which is especially useful after injuries of various kinds. It is the effect on the muscles that bring a relaxing effect, and a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system.
Secondly, the massage significantly improves blood and lymph circulation, expands capillaries, and removes toxins from the body. Thanks to this, tissues and organs of the body get more nutrition and oxygen, which has a positive effect on both the well-being and condition of the skin.
For example, improving blood circulation often gets rid of severe headaches and normalizes blood pressure, improves complexion, makes skin firmer and tighter.
Another effect of a properly performed full body massage is a drainage effect. A full course of procedures promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body, which removes swelling, on both limbs, and the face accelerates cell regeneration and skin flabbiness and improves body contours.
In addition, total body massage prevents the development of diseases in the musculoskeletal system and helps eliminate them, promotes weight loss, normalizes the nervous system and metabolism, relieves mental stress, and even helps improve immunity.
During the session, a large amount of endorphin hormone is also produced, which means that the message brings joy and satisfaction to the patient.
What Does a Full-Body Massage Include?
A full body massage generally includes the massage therapist massaging the clients:
- back;
- legs;
- arms;
- neck;
- feet.
The therapist may also use oils or lotions to help lubricate the skin. Which makes the procedure itself more enjoyable.
How Much Does a Full-Body Massage Cost?
Prices for full-body massages vary depending on the location, length of the massage, and the type of massage. The cost starts at $60 to $180 or more.
How Long Does a Full-Body Massage Last?
A full body massage usually lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. If possible, it is better to do the sessions in the morning, at least 1.5 hours after meals. The number of sessions is usually determined by the masseur, but it should not exceed three per week.
After the massage, it is useful to lie down for at least 10 minutes, and then avoid strong physical loads for another hour or an hour and a half.
Why Do I Wear a Massage for the First Time?
A robe or loose, comfortable clothing is typically worn during a massage. Clothing should be moderately loose, so as not to squeeze the body and allow the lymph and blood to move freely through the body.
Types of Full Body Massage
Throughout the centuries-long history of massage development, several systems have developed that has become widespread throughout the world. The best known of them – Finnish, Swedish and Russian – belong to the European school of massage. No less popular Korean and Thai systems are part of the Oriental school. Let us consider in more detail the peculiarities of each of the existing systems
Classical massage (General)
The purpose of this type of body treatment is to improve blood circulation, normalize the work of internal organs and activate the immune system. The improvement of metabolism ensures the removal of toxins and contributes to the elasticity of the skin.
Classical massage is a good prophylactic means of preventing the development of many diseases. The complex techniques used (stroking, kneading, rubbing, tapping) allow you to affect large groups of muscles and internal systems at once.
Medicinal Massage
It is one of the most effective therapeutic methods, which is widely used in physical therapy. It is prescribed at all stages of treatment but is most effective in the rehabilitation phase. The peculiarity of the therapeutic massage is that it can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist after a thorough examination of the entire body.
Sports massage
This is a special kind of massage school. It differs in a deeper impact on all muscle groups. It is really indispensable, both when preparing an athlete for the upcoming competition, as well as in the period of recovery after injury.
Children’s massage
The massage, used in pediatrics, combines the key points of classical and therapeutic massage. Its main difference is that there is a fairly large range of restrictions and contraindications to the impact on the child’s body. That is why children’s massage is allocated as a separate subspecies.
Massaging a child strengthens its immunity and is used in the complex treatment of a number of diseases.
Segmental-reflex massage
From other subtypes, this massage differs in the impact on certain parts of the spinal cord and the technique of its implementation.
As for the techniques used in this type of massage, in addition to the basic techniques used in the classical technique, stretching, sawing, shaking, squeezing and others are used here.
Psycho-biostructural massage
It is a special kind of massage that combines European and Oriental schools. Its main peculiarity can be considered the inclusion in one session of more than 50 types of techniques used in massaging the body. In this case, any repetition is completely excluded.
Cosmetic massage
It is used as an effective means for keeping the skin in good condition. It prevents the appearance of wrinkles, reduces swelling, and combats cosmetic imperfections.
Additional FAQ
What should you not do during a massage?
There are a few things that you should not do during a massage, such as:
- eating;
- drinking;
- talking;
- using your phone;
- smoking.
How often should you get a full body massage?
It all depends on what goals you are pursuing with the help of massage. If it is a therapeutic massage, the course is prescribed by the doctor. Ultimately, it is up to the person to decide how often they would like to receive a full body massage.
How often should you wait between massages?
It is generally recommended to wait between 2 and 3 days between massages. If you do the sessions more often, there is a great chance of damaging your health.
Also read:
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- What Is a Decompression Massage?
- How to Use Massage Gun on Yourself?
Conclusion
Today massage is the most effective way to treat many diseases. It is widely used in sports, cosmetology, medical practice, and other areas. Despite the centuries-old history of development and accumulated baggage of knowledge, its technique does not stand still. New research is constantly emerging in this field, allowing the successful treatment of pathologies that were previously considered hopeless.