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a Massage Therapist
Massage Therapy
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Massage is the application of pressure and movement to the soft
tissues of the body (the skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments).
The term massage encompasses a range of methods used to relieve
muscle tension, stress and pain from injury, improve circulation,
stimulate the nervous and immune system and assist in healing and
preventing a range of other physical and emotional problems.
The benefits of massage were known to many ancient
cultures, but the modern form of this therapy developed
during the late 19th century when Swedish gymnast Per
Henrik Lin used a system of muscle and joint massage
combined with exercise. This later became known as
Swedish massage.
Today, dozens of different massage techniques are used, which generally
fall under one of four therapeutic approaches:
Traditional Swedish massage, which
employs five basic strokes: effleurage (slow, gliding
strokes); petrissage (kneading, pressing and rolling
muscles); friction (small, circular pressure movements);
tapotement or percussion (drumming movements on the
fleshy parts of the body); and vibration (rapid shaking
movements).
Contemporary Western massage, which
includes neuromuscular massage (deep finger pressure
applied to “trigger points” which acts
on the interaction between nerves and muscles); deep
tissue massage (slow, deep strokes to release chronic
muscle tension); sports massage (using massage to prevent
sports injury and treat sprains and strains); and manual
lymph drainage (used to stimulate the flow of lymph
fluid).
Bodywork, which focuses on the structure
of the body and the way it moves, correcting problems
with posture and movement. These techniques include
the Alexander technique, hellerwork and rolfing.
Oriental massage, which is based
on the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine which
aims to balance the flow or qi, or energy, through
the body’s meridians. These include acupressure
and shiatsu and reflexology (see separate entries).
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How Does It Work?
Massage increases circulation of the blood and lymph fluid which
helps to remove toxic wastes, and promotes healing by supplying
nutrients to injured soft tissue. Massage may also improve immune
system functioning by decreasing the level of stress hormones
such as cortisol, while increasing the level of natural painkilling
and mood elevating hormones called endorphins. Massage can relieve
chronic muscle tension caused by anxiety or pain, and its soothing
and relaxing effects can promote emotional healing. Massage after
exercising helps remove the lactic acid that builds up in muscles
during vigorous activity, and it helps keep muscles and other
soft tissues elastic with stretching and loosening movements.
What Happens During
Treatment?
Treatment methods vary according to the type of massage you choose.
For a typical Swedish massage, the therapist will ask about your
general health and lifestyle and discuss any specific problem areas
you would like to concentrate on during the massage. Therapists
will normally use a quiet, warm, dimly lit room, sometimes with
soft, soothing music playing or incense burning. Your therapist
will leave the room while you undress (you may leave your underwear
on if you wish) and lie on a padded massage table with a towel
covering the parts that will not be massaged. Therapists may offer
a full body massage, a back and neck massage, or you can ask her/him
to concentrate just on one particular area of tension.
The therapist will employ a range of strokes with
the use of massage oil that may be mixed with aromatherapy
oils. Your therapist will check whether the pressure
s/he is using is too deep or too light for you.
Massage therapy sometimes brings up strong emotions,
particularly if you have been under stress for a long
period, and some therapists are also trained in basic
counselling techniques.
Sessions last for 30 to 90 minutes, and the number
of sessions required will depend on the condition being
treated. Many people use massage therapy once a week
for general stress relief and wellbeing.
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What Is It Used
For?
Massage therapy can help relieve mental and emotional problems
such as depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia. It is useful
for treating chronic pain and pain from sports injuries or repetitive
strain. Massage helps warm up the muscles before exercise, and
reduces cramping and stiffness when performed after exercise. It
has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol,
promoting relaxation, and enhances the immune system by stimulating
blood flow. Other conditions which benefit from massage therapy
include chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, joint problems, neck
pain, sciatica, asthma and premenstrual tension.
Side Effects/Cautions
Massage should be avoided by anyone with open wounds, a high fever,
inflammation, infections, varicose veins, or nerve or tissue
damage.
Abdominal massage should not be used during the first
trimester of pregnancy, or just after eating. Massage
of the legs and feet should also be avoided during
pregnancy.
References
Find a Massage
Therapist
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Recommended
Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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Job's Body : A Handbook
for Bodywork (Third Edition)
Deane Juhan
Possibly the most famous and widely used resource
in therapeutic bodywork, this beautifully written,
detailed, and reader-friendly picture of how
and why the body responds to touch is both
scientifically reliable and inspiring. Furthering
the presentation of recent research in biochemistry,
cell biology, and energy medicine in the Second
Edition, this new update includes advances
in neurophysiology and physics, reconfiguring
knowledge of mind and body, from "microgenesis" to "quantum
consciousness." A rare book that fits
general reader as much as professional and
student.
Learn
more...
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Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide
to Techniques
Art Riggs
"A masterpiece on deep tissue massage
and myofascial release. Art Riggs reveals various
techniques for different parts of the body
used in structural integration. Art Riggs has
excellent narrative style, shares not only
his techniques but his experience, advice and
empathy as a massage therapist. This book is
a perfect companion for Riggs' DVD Deep
Tissue Massage and Myofascial Release: A Video
Guide to Techniques, which is a must." -
Alfred Hartemink
Learn
more...
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The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook:
Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief,
Second Edition
Clair Davies
Trigger point therapy is one of the most intriguing
and fastest-growing bodywork styles in the
world. Medical doctors, chiropractors, and
alternative health practitioners are all beginning
to use this technique to relieve the pain of
individuals suffering from undiagnosable soft
tissue pain - a condition that studies have
shown to be the cause of nearly 25 percent
of all doctor visits.
The technique involves applying short, repeated massage strokes
to trigger points, places in the muscle tissue where lack
of oxygen causes referred pain. These points are easily located
by general readers and create pain throughout the body in
predictable patterns characteristic to each muscle, producing
discomfort ranging from mild to severe. The stimulation of
the point causes an increase in the oxygen level in the area
and produces often instant relief. The first edition of The
Trigger Point Therapy Workbook has made a huge impact in
the use of this dynamic technique. This is the first major
revision of the overnight classic - a complete update that
includes new information specifically for massage professionals
as well as a detailed discussion of systematic muscle relaxation
techniques that can reinforce the therapeutic power of trigger
point work.
Learn
more...
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Massage Therapy Books
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