Massage Therapy

If you’re stressed out, tense, or suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain, consider massage therapy. Massage provides a quick, effective, and noninvasive treatment for various health problems. At Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness, acupuncturist and Chinese medicine specialist Min Lu, MD, offers several types of massage therapy to complement the body’s natural healing process. To make an appointment, call the office in Gaithersburg, Maryland, or book online today.

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is an outpatient procedure that uses a combination of hand movements, varying pressures, and manipulative techniques to encourage circulation and relieve tension throughout your body.

Many people associate massage therapy with going on vacation or visiting a spa, but it provides various health benefits. Undergoing regular massages can relieve stress and chronic pain and help you recover more quickly after strenuous activities.

What types of health problems can massage therapy help manage?

At Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness, Dr. Lu uses massage therapy to treat various health problems, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches and migraines
• Insomnia
• Low back pain
• Neck pain

You might also be a candidate for massage therapy if you have neuropathy (permanent nerve damage) due to diabetes or another chronic condition.

What are the types of massage therapy?

Dr. Lu offers several types of massage therapy, including:

Swedish massage

Swedish massage uses a gentle touch and rolling, kneading, or tapping the skin to encourage circulation and promote a sense of well-being. It’s the most common type of massage and an excellent introduction to the art of hands-on treatment.

Deep tissue massage

If you spend long hours behind the wheel of a car or hunched over a desk, consider deep tissue massage. It combines slow strokes and deep finger pressure on tight muscles to relieve muscle tightness and chronic muscle pain.

Sports massage

If you’re an athlete, dancer, or weekend warrior, Dr. Lu might recommend sports massage. Sports massage kneads and manipulates the muscles responsible for joint mobilization and flexibility to help you recover more quickly.

Trigger point massage

Trigger point massage relieves trigger points – tight muscle knots characterized by intense pain. During trigger point massage, Dr. Lu applies focused and direct pressure on the trigger points in your neck and back. This increases circulation to the area, relieving tension and allowing your muscles to relax.

Prenatal massage

Prenatal massage is a type of hands-on therapy designed for pregnant people. During treatment, Dr. Lu uses hands-on, manipulative techniques to take pressure off your hips and buttocks, easing swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet.

How often should I participate in massage therapy?

If you want to reap the full rewards of massage therapy, Dr. Lu recommends scheduling an appointment every two or three weeks. Routine visits to Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness can relieve stress and anxiety, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and improve your circulation, energy levels, and alertness.

To see if you’re a candidate for massage therapy, make an appointment at Five Elements Acupuncture & Wellness by calling the office or booking online today.