Massage therapy is an effective way to relax, and it comes with numerous health benefits for your mind and body. However, have you ever been told that massage therapy can release toxins from your system? Or that you shouldn’t get a massage if you’re pregnant?
Some massage therapy myths make so much sense that it’s easy to fall for them, and these are no exception! With that said, how much of what you hear about massage therapy is true?
In this article, we’ll look at the common massage myths and whether there’s any logic or scientific evidence behind them.
The 7 Most Common Massage Therapy Myths:
If you start looking for massage myths, you’ll probably come up with tens, if not hundreds! Here are the seven most common massage therapy myths to look out for:
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A Massage is Purely a Way to Unwind
Ok––there’s some truth to this. A massage is a great way to relax and unwind, so much so that it can help improve your mental health. But that isn’t all a massage entails.
Massage therapy treats many physical conditions, including back pain and sprained muscles. Massage therapy can also help with muscle recovery, and many professional athletes get daily massages as part of their recovery routine.
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The Benefits of a Massage Only Last a Few Hours
This myth is purely psychological and contradicts the scientific evidence surrounding massage therapy. Data on the effectiveness of massages indicates that the right massage therapy can help you relax for several days.
While nothing will last forever, a good massage will have a more prolonged effect on your body than most people think.
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The Harder the Pressure, the More Beneficial the Massage
This is probably the most common massage myth. It’s also one that seems logical for cases like muscle pain, where applying pressure will give you relief. However, a good massage is more than just pressure application.
A massage is what you make it, and if your goal is to relax and unwind during the session, lighter pressure may be more appropriate. But that doesn’t mean the massage isn’t as beneficial as a high-pressure technique.
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You Shouldn’t Interrupt a Therapist During a Session
There is no such thing as disturbing your massage therapist during your massage session. A massage isn’t an operation, and you’re allowed to communicate with your therapist.
Massage therapy aims to make you comfortable, so it’s important to communicate freely with your therapist and let them know when you feel pain or discomfort.
- Massage Therapy Releases Toxins
This myth is usually spread by people who experience massage therapy’s mental and physical benefits. However, while a massage does help improve blood flow in the muscles and may help your body function better, it doesn’t release toxins.
For that, you’ll need to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and live a healthy lifestyle. However, massage therapy can help your muscles heal faster and effectively remove lactic acid from the muscles.
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You Shouldn’t Get a Massage If You’re Pregnant
There’s no scientific evidence or research to support this claim, making it nothing more than a myth.
Having a prenatal massage can help you relax, reduce anxiety and deal with other side effects of pregnancy. However, some massage centers may not give you a massage if you’re in the first trimester of your pregnancy. Look to your licensed massage therapist to guide you on the dos and don’ts of massage therapy while pregnant.
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You Need to Remove All Clothing
While some massage centers will do a full body massage when you’re semi-nude, you can still get a massage with clothes on. Indeed, some massage techniques are best executed with greater skin-on-skin contact, but you can always compensate by wearing lighter clothing.
At the end of the day, the goal is your comfort, so you don’t need to take off clothing that will make you feel uncomfortable. The best massage therapists are trained to adjust to all situations, and you can still get a great massage with your clothes on!
Final Thoughts
While massage therapy has numerous physical and emotional benefits, myths tend to take things to the extreme. Always check reputable sources before accepting any myths, or run information by your massage therapist to fact check.
Lastly, always remember to communicate openly with your massage therapist, which will ensure you get the maximum benefit from your massage session.
If you’re looking to book a massage therapy appointment, we recommend using the MassageBook software to find the best massage therapists near you. Whether you need a sports massage therapist or a prenatal therapist, MassageBook will provide you with a list of licensed and trained massage therapists. The software will allow you to book and manage your appointments seamlessly and move one step closer to being on the receiving end of massage therapy’s health and wellness benefits.
Find a local professional and book your massage therapy experience today.