Massage Therapy Questions and Answers

Discover the benefits of massage therapy today! Massage therapy has a number of health benefits. Learn more by booking a consultation with our team of professions at La Vie MedSpa. Call us today or visit us online to book an appointment. We want you looking and feeling your best! We are conveniently located at 2967 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570.

What does massage therapy treat?

Massage therapy can be used simply for relaxation and stress relief purposes, providing patients with a treatment to pamper themselves. However, massage therapy can also be used to provide health benefits that extend beyond the benefits of stress relief. Massage therapy is often used to help relieve muscle pain, tension and soreness, improve the body’s circulation, energy and alertness, lower the heart rate and blood pressure, and improve immune function. Further research into the benefits of massage therapy is ongoing, but preliminary studies have shown it to also be beneficial in helping with anxiety, headaches, insomnia, lower back pain, nerve pain, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, digestive disorders and many other issues and conditions. Massage therapy can be added on to an existing treatment plan, under advisement from your doctor to ensure that there are no risks or adverse effects from any existing medical conditions you are experiencing.

What are the types of massage?

There are several different types of massage therapy, with each type performed for specific purposes through the administration of multiple techniques. Massages can range from a light pressure massage aimed at providing a calming, relaxing experience to a deeper pressure massage that aims to loosen knots in muscles and relieve muscle pain and tenderness. The different types of massage therapy are:

• Swedish massage, which aims to make patients feel relaxed and energized through a gentle technique that uses long strokes and kneading, circular motions.
• Deep massage is used following an injury to help repair damaged muscles using slower, more forceful strokes that reach the connective tissues and deep layers of muscle.
• Sports massage is similar to Swedish massage, with a focus on preventing or treating injuries for people who are actively involved in sports activities.
• Trigger point massage is focused on specific areas of the muscle fibers where tightness exists as the result of injury or overuse.

What is the theory behind massage therapy?

Massage therapy is used for many different purposes and benefits for the patient. The theory behind massage therapy can differ slightly from one therapist to another, as well as differing based on the type of massage being performed. The general theory of massage though is to stimulate the body through the massaging and kneading of the muscles and tissues in the body. The type of stimulation and resulting benefits will be dependent on the type of massage and the amount of pressure applied to the muscles and soft tissues. Gentle massages provide a more relaxing experience through a softer touch that will energize the body. Deeper massages that apply harder pressure to the muscles and tissues stimulate deeper reparation processes that can speed healing of damaged muscles. Massage therapy uses manipulation of the internal muscles and tissues by the massage therapist’s hands to provide a natural stimulus to refresh, recharge and repair the body.

How much does massage therapist cost?

There are many factors that will determine the cost of a massage, such as the type of massage, the experience of the massage therapist, any specializations the therapist has, geographical area and the length of the massage. Massages can be booked for different lengths of time, depending on the type of massage being performed, how much time your calendar allows and what you are hoping to get out of it. Common increments for massages are 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes. While pricing does vary, many insurance plans will cover massage therapy. Check with your insurance provider to find out if your plan covers it, and any specifics you need to know in order to receive full or partial coverage. You can book a consultation with our team at La Vie MedSpa today to learn more about cost and the benefits of massage therapy. We serve clients from Opelousas LA, Eunice LA, Lafayette LA, Crowley LA, New Iberia LA, Jennings LA, and Baker LA.