Massage therapy for women's health

Table of Contents

Surprising Physical Benefits of Massage

Although a massage is a great way to relax and get away from the stress of the real world, it can also provide women with a range of surprising physical benefits. A massage can boost your immunity, improve sleep, relieve chronic pain and reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome or PMS.

An estimated 80% of women experience PMS symptoms such as bloating, cramping, irritability, mood swings every month—and most just assume they have to suffer through it. Think again. Massage therapy is a great way to alleviate PMS symptoms thanks to improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, and the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine—all of which can help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

The best way to treat PMS symptoms is to anticipate them and treat them ahead of time. Track your cycle each month, and keep track of PMS symptoms so you can regularly check-in with how your body feels. Plan your next massage for your next cycle to treat your symptoms before they become too overwhelming.

Massage to Enhance Your Fitness Goals

In order to maintain an active lifestyle, it is incredibly important to listen to your body and give your muscles the extra attention they deserve. A non-stop schedule of gym sessions and physical activities can lead to exhaustion and muscle fatigue. Even low-impact exercises, such as swimming and yoga, still put a strain on your muscles over time. Including a massage into your fitness routine has variety of benefits:

Ease muscle tension
Increase range of motion
Decrease muscle stiffness and fatigue after exercise
Reduce inflammation

Not only will a massage help you perform better in the gym, it will also promote muscle sustainability so that you can work out for longer. Aligning your fitness goals with our therapeutic or sports massage will ensure you’re ready to conquer any challenge that lies ahead.

Massage Benefits for Older Women

If you’re over the age of 50 and struggle with arthritis or a decreased range of motion, massage therapy can be super beneficial for combatting pain or discomfort. Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis targets joints by breaking down the slippery tissue at the end of the bones, causing painful swelling and stiffness.

In the U.S. 42% of individuals received a massage for health or medical reasons such as pain management. Regularly including a massage in your wellness routine can decrease inflammation and lower the body’s amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, promoting a decrease in your body’s physical discomfort.

It’s important to remember that you can personalize your massage experience by discussing your symptoms, your pain tolerance, and the desired amount of pressure you’d like to receive with your massage therapist.

The Massage That Fits Your Needs

There isn’t a “one service fits all” when choosing a massage. It’s important to remember that you can personalize your massage experience by discussing your preferences and goals for your treatment.

A massage is intended to feel relaxing and comfortable. Take the time to consider which type of massage is right for you:

Swedish Massage is a great option if you’re new to massage and fear you may be sensitive to touch. Using long, gentle strokes this massage promotes relaxation and manages minor pain.
Deep Tissue Massage uses more pressure to target chronic muscle pain and tension. This massage focuses on the deep layers of your muscles, so it may not be the best option if you are sensitive to pressure
Sports Massage is perfect for individuals who are very physically active and have injuries from repeated muscle use. It increases power and endurance using targeted muscle strokes and stretching of tendons.
Therapeutic Massage can be customized to target a specific area of pain in the body. Each massage is designed for the individuals personal needs.

If you’re interested in discussing your options, we’re here to answer any questions you may have!

Booking Your Next Massage

The range of benefits provided by massage are endless and can be completely customized to your desired results. As professional massage therapists, we pride ourselves on the ability to design an experience that is unique to you and your wellbeing.

We are resuming massage therapy services but are taking additional precautions to ensure everyone’s safety due to COVID-19.

Massage, the therapeutic use of touch to relax or energize the body’s muscles and soft tissues, can relieve your stress, improve blood and energy circulation, reduce swelling and alleviate pain. CPMC’s Women’s Health Resource Center specializes in providing pregnancy and postpartum massage, oncology massage (for people with cancer) and therapeutic massage for women and men seeking health, healing and well-being.

Gift cards are available for purchase at the Women’s Health Resource center, over the phone or online.

Our massage therapists are certified and trained in:

Prenatal and post-partum massage
Skilled touch for the elderly
Massage for those undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment
Massage for the seriously ill
General wellness massage

Learn more about our massage techniques.

Women’s Health Resource Center Massage Therapy services are open to men and women.

Massage therapy is treatment that uses touch to loosen and heal the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Massage therapists use different degrees of pressure and types of movements based on your individual needs.

Massage therapy can address health issues that include:

Muscular tension
Range of motion and flexibility problems
Chronic pain
Circulation problems
Stress

Types of massage therapy

Types of massage therapy available at Aurora include:

Swedish massage: This type of massage uses long, gliding strokes on the top layers of your muscles to promote relaxation.
Sports massage: A more vigorous type of massage, sports massage reaches deeper layers of your muscles and is ideal for athletes.
Prenatal massage: This type of massage is for pregnant women. It helps relieve pregnancy-related tension, aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, back and legs.
Geriatric massage: Ideal for older adults, geriatric massage is specifically designed to address aging and arthritis-related pain.
Neuromuscular therapy: This type of massage uses finger pressure on specific trigger points (painful, irritated areas) to help break the cycle of spasm or pain.
Craniosacral therapy: This type of massage uses gentle touch on the skull, face, spine and hips to relieve pain. Learn more about craniosacral therapy.
Oncology massage: This type of massage may mitigate the side effects of conventional cancer care, improve coping, and enhance quality of life. Learn more about massage as integrative cancer therapy.

Conditions treated with massage therapy

Doctors and physical therapists recommend massage therapy for a variety of conditions, including:

Muscle spasms associated with injuries
Back problems such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc and scoliosis
Arthritis
Running injuries
Cancer (as a complement to conventional treatment)*

* Aurora’s state-licensed massage therapists complete thorough training to understand the side effects of cancer and how to modify massage based on the needs of each patient. Therapy is offered free of charge to patients during their appointments at Aurora Cancer Care locations.

Massage therapy at Aurora

Massage therapy is available to the public as well as through doctor referrals. People come to Aurora for massage therapy because we offer:

Licensed massage therapists: All of our massage therapists are licensed in the state of Wisconsin. That means they’ve received special training to perform massages, so you only receive care from experts.
Specialty care: Our massage therapists work with your primary care doctor, including Aurora sports health doctors, to ensure your massage therapy fits into your overall treatment plan. A sports health doctor is someone who specializes in working with athletes and active adults. Meet our sports health team.
Comprehensive treatment: At Aurora, an entire team of experts works together to monitor your progress and personalize care to your needs. In addition to massage therapy, we offer integrative medicine like acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy and a wide range of orthopedic medicine and orthopedic surgery services.
Convenient locations: More than a dozen of our locations across eastern Wisconsin offer massage therapy, making it easy to get pain and tension relief close to where you live, work or train.

What to expect

Before your massage

Before your massage, your massage therapist will ask you about specific areas of pain in your body. He or she may also ask about any injuries or areas you wish to avoid during your massage.

Your massage therapist will then leave the room so you can undress. Some people choose to leave their underwear on. You’ll also have a towel or robe to wear for your privacy.

During your massage

During your massage, you’ll lie face down on a padded table with an opening for your face. Your massage therapist will use strategically placed sheets or towels to uncover individual areas of your body while working on them. You should let your massage therapist know if the pressure is too much or causes pain.

The massage will last from 30 to 90 minutes, with cost** depending on the length of your massage. Sometimes, insurance may cover massage costs if a doctor prescribes massage therapy as part of your treatment.

After your massage

You may feel a little soreness for a day or so after your massage. Most experts recommend drinking plenty of water after to help flush out substances that were released from your muscles and tissues.

Fees you can afford

30-minute massage $36.00
45-minute massage $54.00
60-minute massage $72.00
75-minute massage $90.00
90-minute massage $108.00

Fees are subject to change.

Giving the gift of massage is a thoughtful way to show someone that you care about their well-being. Massage therapy gift certificates are available where massage services are provided.

** Massage therapy is offered free of charge to patients during their appointments at Aurora Cancer Care locations.

Locations that offer massage therapy

Call the location nearest you for pricing information on massage therapy sessions.

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Massage therapy for women’s health