Massage therapy is one of the oldest known methods in human history for relieving pain, and continues to be an effective approach for treating a variety of conditions to this day. It can be effective for:

• Reducing stress
• Alleviating pain and muscle tension
• Relieving symptoms of anxiety, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, insomnia, and many other conditions.

There is no singular approach to massage therapy; the exact method best suited for your case depends on the symptoms that the massage is intended to relieve. The most common type of massage is the Swedish (also known as “classical”) massage. It is a core element of most massage training programs and can be effective for improving a wide range of symptoms. Other types include (but are not limited to):

• Sports massage, which focuses on muscles and soft tissues to aid in exercise recovery and prevent injury
• Clinical massage, which focuses on specific parts of your body to treat an injury, spasm, pain, or other medical problem
• Hot stone massage, which eases muscle tension, pain, stress, and anxiety
• Other types of full-body massage, such as Shiatsu massage, Thai massage, and deep tissue massage

A growing body of research supports the idea that massage therapy, both immediately in many cases as well as over time, can produce improvements for people with a variety of chronic conditions; additionally, most forms of massage are low-risk in terms of health complications. However, you should only receive this treatment from a licensed massage therapist who has received adequate training to provide your massage as safely and effectively as possible.

You can receive a professional massage tailored to your specific health concerns from a licensed massage therapist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Integrative Health program. To learn more about Queens, NYC massage therapy services, please call (718) 206-6914.