Is Massage Right For You?

(CARLSBAD, CA) - How would you like to improve your range of motion, boost your energy, speed muscle recovery, increase your immunity and totally relax all at the same time?

If that sounds good, then Jazzercise founder Judi Sheppard Missett suggests  scheduling a massage. A quick call to your nearest provider may make your head spin, however. Massage has many varieties that accomplish different goals. Below is a rundown of the most common types of muscle manipulation and tips on how to choose the one that is best for you.

— Swedish massage uses long, gliding and soothing movements to loosen tight muscles and enhance relaxation. When tension has built up in your shoulders and back, this is a good antidote.

— Sports massage takes Swedish massage to the next level. Deeper kneading is performed on muscles that are strained by exercise. It is great for loosening tight muscles and preventing injury.

— Hot stone massage integrates warm basalt stones into traditional massage. The stones are placed on pressure points and tense muscles. The combination of weight and warmth loosens tight joints and muscles.

— Rolfing is another form of deep tissue manipulation that uses slow-moving pressure, often applied with knuckles, thumbs, fingers, elbows and knees, to reorganize the structure of the human body so that body segments are balanced along a vertical line. The technique concentrates on freeing up adhesions that constrict muscles, joints and bones that have become misaligned by trauma, stress or bad habits.

— Reflexology operates on the premise that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that correspond to every part of the body. By stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands, you increase circulation and promote specific bodily and muscular functions.

—Acupressure involves applying gentle but firm pressure to specific acupressure points that carry energy throughout the body. Like acupuncture, it is an ancient Chinese healing method.

—And how do you find a good practitioner? Thanks to their growing popularity, massage and other manipulation therapies are readily available, but you should still seek a referral from a trusted friend, physician or other health care professional, local massage school, health food store or local Chamber of Commerce. You may also want to do a little online research about your chosen technique and ask any professional you visit about his or her training and certification.

Then simply lie back and enjoy!

Stretching can be a nice complement to massage. The following bridge exercise stretches the chest and shoulders while strengthening the arms, back, legs and hips.  It is a great way to lengthen tight muscles while improving strength and stability.

Begin by sitting on the floor with your feet in front of you.  Place them flat on the floor, hip width apart, with your knees and toes pointing forward.  Sit tall and place your hands on the floor behind you, shoulder width apart.  Press your shoulders down away from your ears as you lift your hips up as high as possible. Aim to lift your body into a flat plank, parallel to the floor, but do not force it or push too far too soon.  If you experience any pain or discomfort in your shoulders, lower your hips to a more comfortable level.  Hold the plank for 10 to 15 seconds, as you breathe naturally. 

Jazzercise, created by Judi Sheppard Missett, is the world's leading dance-fitness program with more than 6,800 instructors teaching 30,000 classes weekly in the U.S. and around the globe. Since 1969, millions of people of all ages and fitness levels have reaped the benefits of this comprehensive program, designed to enhance cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility. For more information on Jazzercise go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT or (760)476-1750.

Courtesy of Jazzercise, Inc. - jazzercise.com