At Pro-Active Medical Center in Niceville, Florida, board-certified Dr. Brian Schuessler and our team specialize in massage therapy as a key part of our chiropractic care.
Massage therapy basics
Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years. First popular in ancient China, massage therapy was called acupressure. It looked a lot like acupuncture except the needles were replaced with a healer’s hands, fingers, or massage tools.
The well-known Swedish massage was developed in the 19th century and was first used to treat Swedish gymnasts by using long stroke movements. Massage therapy has transcended time and is still an integral part of healing today.
We offer massage therapy for your many needs. From daily pains to pregnancy-related stress, our team can work with you to determine which kind of massage therapy is best for you. Here are just a few of the ways you can benefit from massage therapy.
Reduced pain
One of the biggest attractions of massage therapy is the promise of reduced pain. You experience pain when your muscles contract and put pressure on your nerves. Massage therapy relaxes your muscles, effectively reducing painful contractions and nerve compressions that cause you pain.
Decreased stiffness
Similar to its ability to reduce pain, massage therapy is also able to decrease stiffness by relaxing superficial and deep layers of tissue. The touch of one of our skilled providers can loosen the tension in your muscles and help them find better alignment and balance so you feel less stiffness.
Better range of motion
Sometimes, you don’t just have deep aches and pains, but you’re also struggling with limited range of motion. Massage therapy is an excellent way to get back some of that lost mobility. When you get a massage with us, we work out the muscle hardness by applying pressure to the affected area or areas. This successfully enhances your nerves’ ability to function in the muscle fiber, giving you a much better range of motion.
Increased blood flow
Another wonderful benefit of massage therapy is increased blood flow. Massages improve your blood flow through both the physical manipulation that promotes circulation and the release of chemicals as a result of relaxation. With improved circulation and blood flow comes better delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your cells. Healthier cells mean your body is better able to expel waste and toxins while reducing swelling and pain.
Fewer headaches
We can also help you experience fewer headaches and migraines with massage therapy. By targeting the muscles in your neck, shoulder, and back of the head, we can increase the flow of blood to the areas that are most tense, which in turn can relieve your chronic headaches.
Enhanced healing
Massage therapy helps promote the healing process in many ways. When you experience the relaxation associated with massage therapy, your heart rate and blood pressure lower, your immune system is supported, and your sleep patterns improve. Your body also responds to massage therapy with increased circulation, which helps to get rid of swelling and inflammation that prevent you from healing.
Massage therapy is beneficial if you’ve been diagnosed with an illness like heart disease or diabetes, are suffering from injuries like whiplash and scoliosis, or are experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety.
There are many other health benefits that come with massage therapy, and we would love to help you experience all that it has to offer. When you’re ready to see how massage therapy can get rid of your pain and promote your overall well-being, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
