Massage is a form of tissue manipulation that has been used since ancient times and in a variety of cultures to alleviate physical pain and provide psychological benefits to the recipient. Massages have proven clinical efficacy and have been shown to provide therapy to muscles, joints, skin, connective tissue and ligaments. Massage can be used on a regular basis throughout life to revitalize the body and provide a sense of wellbeing, as well as provide physical benefits that may slow the natural processes of aging.

Massages can relieve a person of medication dependence by improving his or her range of motion by easing physical pain. This is especially important for people as they age, since often as one gets older muscle and joint pain become chronic issues that normally require the attention of medical doctors. After surgery, it is common for nurses to use deep tissue massage to speed up the repair of fascia, or muscle and bone connective tissue. These massages can help ease a person’s pain and alleviate his or her need to use potentially addictive or dangerous medications to treat post-surgery pain. Also, as muscles begin to atrophy or weaken as a result of the natural aging process, regular massage can help restore strength and self-sufficiency to an individual.

Additionally, massage has been shown to stimulate certain lymph glands of the human body, which increases hormone and lymphocyte production. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are an integral part of one’s immune system, and by increasing the amount of lymphocytes the immune system is strengthened making a person less susceptible to diseases and better able to fight off infections .

As people age they often suffer from depression and anxiety, which usually results in expensive medication and psychotherapy treatment. Massage therapy has been shown to lessen the incidence of both anxiety and depression, especially since the disorders are sometimes linked to physical pain. Regular massage therapy can provide a wide array of positive effects on an aging person. Since massages benefit both an individual’s body and mind, a regular schedule of massage can help a person to stay healthy and feel young throughout life.

Massage therapy comes in two different forms; one is for relaxation only and one is for corrective measures. The more intense therapy is called deep tissue massage, which focuses on the deeper layers of the muscles to relieve deep-seeded pressure and knots buried within. Closely related with classic massage therapy techniques, deep tissue uses slow hand movements and deeper pressure while concentrating on areas that are full of tension and pain.

Deep tissue massage can be used for chronic or ongoing conditions within the muscles or even on the occasional sore muscle. When going in for a deep tissue session all of the work is done on a table, and the body will need to be warmed up prior to the massage. This can be done using blankets, a heating pad or even hot stones. The warming process will take about ten minutes to complete. The start of the massage will begin with slow, flowing motions. This is done to prepare the muscles for deeper pressure sensations and to properly stretch the tissue. The muscles will then be worked with circular motions, vibrations and friction before receiving a more intense treatment.

The muscles being treated will next be moved into a lengthened position and more work will be done to relieve tension. This will help to relieve stiffness deep within the muscle and to increase flexibility. Cross fiber friction is used on muscles that have suffered a recent trauma. This type of friction will break up any scar tissue that may be present. Long, sweeping strokes are done as a finishing touch to help flush out toxins.

After any type of massage, especially deep tissue, plenty of water needs to be consumed to rid the body of all the toxins and to rehydrate tissues. A deep tissue massage is a great way to work sore muscles and get them back into shape. The body may feel sore for a few days afterwards, but the benefits outweigh any slight aches that may be present.