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Self-Massage vs. Professional Massage
If you are suffering from neck pain (or any sort of pain, for that matter), a massage may just be your ticket to getting relief from these pains which plague so many of us and interfere with our day-to-day activities.
More often than not, unexpected neck and other pains are caused by muscle knots. These knots are a serious trigger-point for pain and can lead to major discomfort. Massage, both self-massage and professional massage, is widely considered as an effective and safe way to treat these muscle knots; the massage process releases these knots and the tension which comes with them.
#1: Self-Massage
Self-massage is a cost-effective choice and is great if you do not have chronic pain which can be better-addressed by a professional. There are plenty of self-massage techniques out there and practicing a few key massage techniques from the comfort of your own home can be ideal, especially if you are somebody who suffers from anxiety and does not like the idea of being touched by a complete stranger.
When you are at home in comfortable surroundings, you can easily target the areas which are causing problems and address them in your own time. Depending on how extreme your muscle knots are, a little bit of light self-massage can be all you need to release them. There are also lots of clever pieces of technology which can do the job for you. If you are going to go down the route of massage tech, consider taking a look at these Neck Massager Reviews 2018 so that you make the best choice.
#2: Professional Massage
If you are having serious chronic pain or have an underlying medical condition, it is always best to go with a professional who knows what they are doing. By performing self-massage where there is a pre-existing condition, you run the risk of doing more harm than good!
Professional massage therapists are trained professionals who have years of experience and are best-equipped to deal with even the worst bodily aches and pains. Plus, the ambience and general air of relaxation you get at a professional therapist’s spa is hard to match in your own home… trust us, we’ve tried!
#3: Performing Self-Massage
If you do decide to experiment with self-massage, there are a few simple methods you can test the waters with.
A very basic back and neck massage involves simply using your fists and thumbs to press firmly into your trigger points and release the tension. Self-massage and its utility really does depend on how extreme your aches and pains are. Although there are many different home-based massage techniques you can try, nothing comes quite as close to visiting a trained professional and having them work their magic.
Neck and other bodily pains are something we all suffer from at one point in time or another. Some of us suffer more frequently or have more chronic pain. No matter what your age, history or pain level, we can all benefit from a massage every now and then. It is amazing what the human hand can do when it comes to releasing muscle knots and tension and, although home-based massage is great to try, we always recommend visiting a trained massage professional who specifically understands our bodies.
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