Massage therapy is a great way to relieve soreness in your body, loosen tight muscles, and relax. Despite these benefits and more, there are still some common myths about massage that continue to circulate. In today’s post, we’ll take a look at four of them and show you what makes them myths.
At Zense Thai Massage Spa in Dallas, we offer a variety of massage therapy options to help you find the relaxation and relief you need. Contact us today to schedule your massage therapy appointment.
Myth #1 No Pain, No Gain
While it’s true that you might feel some discomfort or soreness when you push yourself to go a little further during a workout, the same should never be said for a massage. In fact, the opposite is true. Massage therapy should not cause pain, nor is soreness from a treatment an indication that it was productive.
If you are getting a massage to help with a soft tissue injury, then you may experience some discomfort. It’s important to remember, however, that when you feel pain, your muscles contract and tighten, which defeats the purpose of a massage. Be sure to let your massage therapist know where your level of pain is so that your experience is positive.
Myth #2 Benefits of Massage Are Temporary
If you get a massage just once a year, then you probably won’t reap the same benefits that you would from regularly scheduled massage appointments. Ideally, you should schedule a massage about every four to six weeks. With regular massage therapy and muscle memory, your body will begin to implement some positive changes. You may notice a decrease in the effects of stress hormones, fewer episodes of muscle inflammation after exercise, and reduced muscle and joint pain.
Just like muscle memory helps you walk and run, it can also help you function better when aided with regular massage. Contrary to what this myth would have you believe, studies have shown that the positive benefits of massage can be experienced for days and even weeks with the assistance of muscle memory.
Myth #3 Massage Releases Toxins
If you ever had a massage, then you’ve probably heard that it releases toxins (lactic acid) into your bloodstream, which means that you need to drink at least eight ounces of water after your appointment. While a hydrated body is better than a dehydrated body, there’s no reason to believe that massage therapy releases lactic acids. In fact, studies indicate that massage therapy actually inhibits the release of lactic acid.
Regardless of what you think about this myth, it’s always a great idea to drink water, so the next time you leave your massage appointment and the massage therapist reminds you to drink a bottle of water, make sure to follow directions!
Myth #4 Massage Can Spread Cancer Cells
For some reason, this myth continues to be spread, even though there is no evidence to suggest that there is a shred of truth to the statement. Neither is there evidence that massage therapy can treat cancer. Massage therapy can, however, provide a number of benefits for cancer patients, including a reduction of stress, anxiety, pain, fatigue, and depression.
We hope that our post on four common myths about massage therapy was helpful and provided the information that you’ve been looking for. If you’re ready to schedule a massage therapy appointment and reap some of the benefits for yourself, then please contact Zense Thai Massage Spa in Dallas today to book your appointment.
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