Most people wouldn’t say no to a massage therapy session, but that doesn’t mean that everyone needs massage therapy in the same way. While a great massage therapist will know how to help you relax, massage therapy can be especially beneficial to those who experience pain, soreness, or inflammation on a regular basis.
For athletes, a sports massage can attend to muscle soreness or stiffness they experience during intensive training, or help with recovery from a sports injury. For those with a chronic condition, like arthritis, a deep tissue massage can do wonders to release various levels of pain, discomfort, and inflammation. These days, though, seeing a massage therapist isn’t as easy as it used to be.
With COVID-19 making social distancing a must, massage therapists, acupuncture practitioners, and other alternative medicine workers have to be careful about how they administer a therapeutic massage or acupuncture session. If you’re interested in how to practice remedial massage techniques at home, or in how to safely see a massage therapist, read on to learn more about wellness practices in the time of coronavirus.
Use CBD oils, creams, and lotions for extra muscle recovery.
Massage therapy, especially a deep tissue massage or a sports massage, always includes some kind of oil. Usually it’s almond or coconut oil mixed with essential oils, like lavender or ginger, that help relaxation. However, since the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) gave CBD products the green light, CBD has been more and more common as the active ingredient in massage oils and creams. You can even buy CBD edibles online.
CBD has been proven to impact inflammation, muscle pain, and joint pain. Plus, CBD is sometimes recommended in addition to other prescription medications for treating medical conditions like arthritis. Of course, you should always consult a doctor before using any supplemental dietary product, whether it’s a CBD tincture for muscle & joint support or adding a multivitamin to your daily routine.
Get your doctor’s advice about specific tense areas to focus on.
Sometimes, muscle pain or joint pain can feel like it’s radiating out over your whole body, but that’s probably not the situation. For the best results, get your doctor’s advice about which tense areas you should be attending to, as well as what kind of strokes to apply to the area.
If you lead an active lifestyle, don’t even think about a workout until you’ve asked about which exercises to avoid. Something as simple as a lunge or a squat could put stress on your tendons and ligaments, especially if you’re in the early stages of arthritis or osteoarthritis. It’s a great idea to stay active, but make sure to do it safely and to ask your doctor about what types of massage techniques are good for your specific chronic pain.
If you do see a massage therapist, talk it out first.
Despite the pandemic, you might decide that your chronic condition would best be attended to by a professional massage therapist. If this is the case, you should talk out the variety of settings that would feel comfortable to you. If you want your therapist to wear a double mask, or if you prefer to have a deep tissue massage in a well-ventilated area (or even outdoors), express these needs to your therapist ahead of time.
Across the United States, things are different now, and a deep tissue massage or sports massage is, of course, also impacted by these changes. A truly great massage therapist will show sensitivity to your needs and won’t put too much pressure on you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
Whether you have a stiff neck or a serious medical condition, pain relief is a critical part of having a great quality of life. Don’t skimp on it just because of the pandemic. Look into your CBD options, talk to your doctor about the best strokes to treat your tense areas, and talk about your comfort levels with your massage therapist. Whatever form of massage you opt for, make sure it helps you live your best life.