With the increased interest in complementary alternative medicine, CAM, there has been a surge in massage therapy practices around the country. Each state chooses whether or not to impose certification standards, so massage can be very different from place to place. That said; massage, from a trained therapist, can be very helpful in treating aches and pains, whiplash, stress and a number of other medical conditions. If you are seeking medical massage, make sure that your therapist and doctor work together to formulate a plan that will work best for you.

When considering massage for stress relief there are a number of techniques that are commonly utilized. A Swedish massage is a gentle treatment that focuses upon relaxing the client through long strokes, kneading and friction. Therapists trained solely in Swedish massage are likely to be working in spa settings; however every therapist learns Swedish techniques as part of their basic training. Hot Stone massage is another popular type of massage. Stones, usually basalt, are heated in water and then used to perform the massage. The combination of heat and massage is profoundly relaxing. Aromatherapy can be included in any massage to increase the relaxation effect.

While both Swedish and Hot stone massages provide some pain relief, their objective is relaxation. If you are in need of pain relief you want to try Deep Tissue massage, also known as Trigger Point Therapy or Neuromuscular Massage. Trigger points are areas in the muscle where some muscle fibers have contracted and not relaxed. Knots send pain to other areas of the body. A Neuromuscular therapist knows how to get these areas of tension to release; allowing the muscle to return to normal function, alleviating your pain.

Another effective massage for pain relief is Myofascial Release. Much gentler in nature than Neuromuscular Massage, myofascial release is best suited to areas that are very tender, for example the lower back and glutes. Although myofascial techniques can be used anywhere in the body, the work is slow by design, making it virtually impossible to do an entire massage utilizing the technique. Therapists trained in myofascial release will usually incorporate it in a massage where needed.

Specific complaints are treated with specific techniques, for example, facilitated stretching is indicated for sports injuries. The more you can tell your therapist about your health history the better the treatment plan will be. Many common ailments, like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis can be treated with massage therapy. It is always good to involve your physician in treatment plans; your results will be better if everyone is working toward the same goal.

Massage therapy research is ongoing. Studies have shown that regular massage can help lower blood pressure, improve immune response, help manage back pain and improve range of motion, among a number of other benefits. If only for the reason that massage is such a pleasure, you should include it in your life from time to time. A massage just might surprise you in how good you feel afterwards.