Shoulder Massage Therapy

"You've got a good head on your shoulders." "They gave me the cold shoulder." "Lay your head on my shoulder." "Let's shoulder the burden." "I'm carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders."

Along with the heart, hands and feet, shoulders are one of the most commonly mentioned areas of the body. They're also one of the most mobile, which makes your shoulders extremely useful. Lifting, throwing, pulling and just about any other activity involving your hands and arms requires shoulder mobility.

Pain and Stiffness

A torn rotator cuff or dislocated shoulder can make it difficult to move your arm. Massage is an effective way of increasing your range of motion, because it increases the supply of fresh blood to your muscles, providing them with oxygen-rich nutrition. Deep tissue massage across the grain of your muscles, or Swedish massage with the grain, can provide relief of stiffness, tension and pain.

You might feel some lumps giving way under the pressure, which indicates that the muscle and tissue adhesions causing your pain are breaking up. Your Massage Envy professional therapist can recommend the right amount of pressure, but your input is the most important in ensuring that you receive the best possible massage.

Preventing Shoulder Problems

Elaine Calenda of Boulder, Colorado's College of Massage Therapy identifies the leading causes of shoulder pain as weak muscles, bad posture and occasional bouts of intense activity.

"By increasing neck and shoulder range of motion," she concludes, "massage helps prevent future strain."