benefits of massage
Pain relief for body, mind, and spirit. Massage is the therapy of touch and connection. It works on so many levels - physical, emotional, and spiritual. Recent research has proven what bodyworkers have known as long as time: human connection is the best pain management. Massage is proven equally as or more effective than opioid pain medication. We also find that the quality of time and attention reaches your heart to relieve emotional pain a way that opioids could never reach. In today's fast-paced world there is a void of connection that no drug could ever fill. Slow, steady, and present, massage therapy can ease the pain of loneliness in a vast, cold world.
Metta has been known in Baltimore for our Integrative Therapeutic Massage for over a decade. This custom session is uniquely crafted for you, every visit. Each one of our talented therapists brings a different set of skills into the session. Every one of our therapists are guaranteed experts in Swedish and Deep Tissue massage. Each therapist will combine these massage techniques with other skills that they are trained in, including: aromatherapy, cupping, hot stones, myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and more. Scroll down to learn more about each of our different modalities and add-ons.
Proven benefits of massage include: reduced stress and anxiety, improved sleep, pain relief, and improved immune function [source: AMTA]. Some of the more common conditions that our clients have found relief from include: anxiety, depression, PTSD/CPTSD, headaches, migraines, post-operative pain, back pain, tech neck, eye strain, sore muscles, sinus pressure, constipation, fibromyalgia, IBS, sciatica, carpal tunnel, and other repetitive strain injuries.
Many more benefits are immeasurable on a clinical scale; but once you've experienced it, the effects of improved ease, better mood, and increased joy for life are undeniable. See what some of our clients have to say:
Swedish Massage. Swedish massage uses a combination of superficial long strokes and irregular movements to nourish the skin, hydrate tissues, and bring overall relaxation and vitality to the whole body. Swedish techniques form the basis of most massage sessions, and are very effective at relieving post-workout muscle soreness and inducing that trance-like state that takes you to another world! It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive massage safely, including skin conditions, local infections, and acute injuries and illness.
Deep Tissue Massage. It's a common misconception that "deep tissue" means "heavy pressure". Heavy pressure is just one of the tools available to us in a deep tissue massage session. Deep tissue massage is about reaching those hard to reach places, those knots that never seem to go away, those paint points and aches that feel untouchably deep. If it were as simple as applying enough pressure to reach them, our massages would be no better than a Theragun (trust us, they are). More important than pressure, we reach these deep pain points through an intimate understanding of anatomy and a receptive touch that can subtly adjust pressure in response to the changes in your tissue. Sometimes the gentlest pressure will have the deepest reach... It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive deep tissue massage safely, including clotting conditions, easy bruising, and osteoporosis (brittle bones).
Aromatherapy. We use only high quality essential oils. These floral and plant essences each have unique benefits and ways they affect us. EOs may be used topically (when safe) or aromatically. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to use aromatics safely, including allergies, sensitivities, and hormonal imbalances.
Cupping. The tradition of fire cupping comes from acupuncture. We don't use fire cupping, but our silicone suction cups pull fluids into stuck and adhered tissues, improving local blood flow, breaking down fascial restrictions, and moving stagnation. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive cupping safely, including circulatory conditions, delicate tissues, and easy bruising.
Hot Stones. Natural river stones are heated to a safe temperature and used over sheets or directly on the skin to warm the tissues more rapidly, opening blood vessels, softening muscles, and improving local circulation. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to use heat safely, including pregnancy and heat sensitivities.
Craniosacral Therapy. CST is a light-touch modality that uses highly-attuned perception and anatomical precision to release strain and affect change in the body from the inside. CST can be added-on to a massage session, or booked as a stand-alone service (clothed). CST is indicated for post-acute accidents and injuries and is generally considered a trauma-informed modality. Learn more on our Craniosacral Therapy page. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive touch safely, including local infections, acute injuries, and trauma history.
Lymphatic Drainage. Lymphatic drainage (sometimes abbreviated MLD for manual lymphatic drainage) uses light touch to stimulate movement of the lymphatic fluids (waters, swelling, edema) through the lymph notes and lymphatic vessels. Benefits of lymphatic drainage include improved immune function, reduced swelling, and detoxification. MLD is often indicated post-op, especially for liposuction procedures. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to safely receive lymphatic drainage, including surgically removed glands/nodes and pitting edema. [Currently as of 9/2024 there are no practitioners of MLD at Metta.]
Venous Sinus Drainage. Venous Sinus Drainage (glymphatic drainage) is a craniosacral therapy protocol that promotes the drainage of fluids (blood and glymphatic fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid) from the intracranial sinuses. This protocol can help relieve sinus congestion, head congestion, "brain fog", and has indicated some promising results for patients experiencing long COVID. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive touch safely, including local infections, acute injuries, and trauma history.
Myofascial Release. MFR is a manual technique that applies tension into the fascial system in order to release fixed strain patterns within the body. The sensation may be heavy or very light, but the effects can reach deep into the body and help to un-write habitual strain patterns. MFR can be added-on to a massage session, or booked as a stand-alone service. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive bodywork safely, including local infections, acute injuries, and connective tissue disorders.
Neuromuscular Therapy. NMT is a form of soft tissue massage that treats chronic muscle and nervous system disorders and pains. It can be very beneficial towards relieving trigger points, circulation, nerve compression, postural problems and repetitive movement injuries. NMT is highly effective for clients who present with chronic pain and is often successful in reducing or eliminating even longstanding painful conditions. Some of the techniques can also be applied to acute injuries and for post-surgical care; many help to improve performance in sport or dance and to prevent injuries due to these activities. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive NMT safely, including clotting conditions, nerve damage, and osteoporosis (brittle bones).
Oncology Massage. Massage can be safely performed for some cancer patients, and may be significantly beneficial for reducing pain and discomfort during cancer treatment. Working with cancer patients requires specific knowledge and skills known as oncology massage. It is important to inform your therapist of any current or historical cancer diagnosis. While we can safely and effectively work with most patients in remission post-treatment, currently as of 9/2024 there are no oncology specialists at Metta.
Visceral Manipulation. VM uses a combination of craniosacral therapy and myofascial release techniques to work with the internal organs and glands: heart, lungs, small and large intestines, stomach, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, adrenals, liver, bladder, uterus, and ovaries. Internal organs are all anchored within the abdominal cavity by ligaments or fascial connections. Strain within these tissues can present as a variety of different symptoms, including abdominal pain, back pain, and digestive discomfort. In some cases, VM can improve conditions of incontinence and relieve pain associated with endometriosis, dysmenorrhea (moderate to severe menstrual cramping), and abdominal scar tissue. It is important to inform your therapist of any conditions that may affect your ability to receive visceral work safely, including surgical history and clotting conditions.
Keywords: massage therapy, therapeutic massage, medical massage, integrative massage, touch therapy, therapeutic touch, alternative therapy, alternative therapies, holistic therapy, holistic treatment
Back pain, low back pain, lumbar pain, sciatica, post-op, post-operative, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue CFS, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, CPTSD, tension headaches, migraines, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure