Massage Therapy

March 10, 2009

Massage therapy is a broad term that encompasses a wide variety of healing procedures and methods and is generally composed of pressing, rubbing and manipulating muscles and soft body tissues such as tendons, ligaments, skin and connective tissues.

The main objective of massage therapy is to relax the soft tissues while promoting an increased delivery of blood and oxygen to the areas being massages and, therefore, to decrease tightness and pain and stress.   Massage therapy is most often accomplished by utilizing the massage therapist’s own fingers, hands, arms, elbows and/or feet.  Occasionally, however, mechanical and electronic devices may be also used.

Massage Therapy is an umbrella term for a whole series of more specific body manipulation therapies. As a matter of fact, there are more than eighty official types of massage therapy treatments, as well as many unofficial types, but a few of the most widely known therapies are the following:

* The Deep Tissue Massage.  This technique uses a combination of strokes and deep finger pressure applied way down under the skin and into the muscles at the painful sites in order to breakup knots and loosen tightness.

* The Trigger Point Massage.  This procedure is also known as the Pressure Point Massage and it is more focused on specific myofascial trigger points with a stronger force than the Deep Tissue Massage.  The goal here is to dissolve the painful knots that were formed in the muscles as well as to relieve additional symptoms in more remote areas of the body.

* The Swedish Massage.  This system utilizes oblong smooth strokes, kneading and friction of the muscles as well as movement of the joints to increase their range of motion and flexibility.

* The Shiatsu Massage.  Using altering rhythmic pressure, tapping, squeezing, and rubbing along the meridian lines and on various other parts of the body, the main objective of this Eastern massage therapy is to enhance the flow of the gi (also, Ki or Chi.)  This energy, in the lore of ancient Chinese medicine, is believed to be the life force that regulates a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellness. it is easily affected when subjected to the rival forces of yin and yang.

The massage therapies mentioned above, as well as all the others, are also referred to as complimentary alternative medicine (also known as CAM.) Regardless of the specific therapy used, there are important points to be considered:

• No massage therapy should ever be used in place of regular or ongoing medical care. It’s a complement, not a replacement.
• Massage therapy should not be the cause or the excuse to postpone visiting a medical professional for existing medical issues.
• Make sure you are comfortable with your massage therapist’s schooling, credentials, and technique as well as his or her experience with specific health and medical conditions.
• Any additional complimentary alternative medicine (CAM) such as herbs, supplements, special diets or other treatments which are suggested by the massage therapist must first be reviewed with a medical professional.

If and when massage therapy is performed, preferably by a well trained and experienced professional, few risks are involved and the worst of them may simply be temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling or an allergic reaction to the massage oils.

The small number of serious injuries which have been reported were triggered by untrained hands that were not aware that certain medical conditions should not be massaged. It is, therefore, essential to consult a qualified professional before undergoing massage therapy as a primary treatment for whatever condition you may have. Here are several conditions where any form of massage therapy should be done under qualified supervision:

• Deep vein thrombosis
• A bleeding disorder or when taking blood thinners
• Damaged blood vessels
• Weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture or cancer
• The presence of high body temperature
• Open or healing wounds, tumors, damaged nerves, an infection, a severe inflammation or fragile skin
• Pregnancy
• Heart problems
• Dermatomyositis or any other skin disease
• History of physical abuse

Certainly the various massage therapies are great for loosening tight muscles, relieving stress, increasing blood flow to an area, and so on. The effect this this has on the various hormones of the body, as well as on the positive mental outlook are certainly beneficial. Just make sure that if you have a serious condition that you’re working with a professional, as well.

Tags: chinese medicine, deep tissue massage, shiatsu massage, swedish massage

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Posted in Massage