Massage Therapy : Healing Power

There are many different kinds of therapeutic massages and massage techniques provided by day spa professionals and licensed massage therapists. But what is each one for, and do they really work? This article highlights the benefits of massage, and explains the various techniques used in massage therapy.

One of the oldest methods of natural healing known, massage therapy is also one of the most diverse of all spa-related health care and maintenance treatments.
Consider some of the benefits of massage:

• Physical – increased circulation, relaxed muscles; increased energy and normal range of motion, enhanced athletic performance.
• Health – improved injury recovery and lowered blood pressure; strengthened immune system, removal of body toxins.
• Emotional – reduced stress, increased relaxation; a sense of calm and well-being.
• Mental –fatigue reduced, concentration increased; relaxed, “uncluttered” mind.
• Spiritual – awareness heightened as cares of the day melt away; reflection and meditation stimulated.

Massage Types

While many people associate therapeutic massage with Eastern practices, massage as a healing tool has been a part of the Western culture for many centuries. Consider a person’s first response to a hurt or injury. They instinctively reach for the injured area, rub and caress it. This is a basic form of massage, as is rubbing and scrunching tired, aching muscles.

There are many categories and subcategories of massage therapy, each serving a unique purpose. Some are for healing, some for relieving anxiety and stress; others to help increase a person’s range of motion.

Swedish Massage – Popular Therapeutic Massage

Swedish massage was the first massage technique considered for therapeutic benefits in the West. With its strokes and manipulation of various body parts, it assists in eliminating body toxins. It is also used to increase circulation without increasing heart load.

Massage pressure can be light and relaxed, or deep and penetrating; stretching ligaments and tendons to keep them supple. This stimulates the skin and nervous system while soothing the nerves.

Emotional benefits include reduced stress. Swedish massage is a popular choice in massage spa therapy; sometimes recommended for stress management.

Shiatsu – Holistic Massage

Based upon Eastern religion’s theory of Chi, Shiatsu massage focuses on body points where energy can be manipulated by the therapist, who applies deep pressure on specific localized points.

Using a series of stretches, rubbing, hacking and other techniques, Shiatsu is often used in a holistic approach for complete health maintenance, to relax and reduce stress.

Unlike Swedish massage where the recipient can relax on a massage bed and fall asleep if they want, Shiatsu requires the recipient’s participation. Coordinating their breath with the manipulations involved in the massage.

Performed with or without oil, it is relaxing and rhythmic, and can be applied over clothing; a typical choice for short massage sessions.

Sports Massage – Deep Tissue Massage

First developed by the late Jack Meager, a one time physical and sports massage therapist for the NFL, sports massage is a sensible blend of traditional Swedish and Shiatsu techniques.

By combining twelve principle body postures that form the axis of all athletic movement and specific postures associated with each sport, the therapist predicts which muscles and body points require treatment.

Sports massage targets deep muscle groups; recipients may be mildly sore for a day or two afterwards. This is because sports massage is used to break up scar tissue.
Besides helping to heal strained muscles, this deep tissue massage also benefits healthy muscles; prompting peak health and performance with reduced risk of injury.

Medical Massage Therapy

This type massage is often used in physical therapy sessions to prevent atrophy during times of immobility, such as broken bones; to reduce inflammation caused by sprains, and increase circulation in various parts of the body.

Trained therapists often test the recipient’s current range of motion in order to balance the active and passive exercise of extremities involved in this type massage.

Over time, injured limbs can benefit from Sports Massage therapy by speedier recover time and returned full range of motion.

Other Types of Massage

Massage choices are nearly unlimited: baby massage, pregnancy massage therapy, and massage for headache migraine relief; back massage, face massage, hot stone massage, and massages that employ the use of an aroma massage oil product or other therapeutic essential oil. Also, you may have heard of endermologie, a technique that complements any massage therapist practice.

If you can’t afford regular massage sessions by a licensed therapist, become more familiar with massage techniques and how to employ each. Research home spa products, massage spa product, and massage equipment to discover which are best. And turn unused space into a relaxing oasis for therapeutic massage purposes. One the whole family can benefit from.

Massage Therapy Research

Research & general acceptance

Before 1939, more than 600 research studies on massage appeared in the main journals of medicine in English.

However, the pace of research was slowed by medicine’s disinterest in massage therapy.

Massage therapy research picked up again in the 1980s, as the growing popularity of massage paralleled the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine. Well designed studies have documented the benefits of massage therapy for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, acute and chronic inflammation, chronic lymphedema, nausea, muscle spasm, various soft tissue dysfunctions, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and psycho-emotional stress, which may aggravate mental illness.

Massage Therapy basics

Definition

Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body.

Origins

Massage therapy is one of the oldest health care practices known to history. References to massage are found in Chinese medical texts more than 4,000 years old.

Massage therapy Types

As the lifestyle of people is changing, so are their needs. Earlier, people used to live carefree life but with the change in times, the hustle bustle of city life has made it difficult for the common man to lead a healthy and satisfied life. Different types of tensions revolve around man and make him totally helpless. For relieving the burden and tensions of life, people have now shifted to taking massage therapy. This therapy is a highly beneficial practice that involves the soothing and relieving of muscles and other tissues in the human body.

Massage therapy as a career choice ?

Why choose a Career in Massage Therapy?

The Massage Therapy career field is expanding and rewarding. It’s a career where you can either work for yourself, for a doctor, a chiropractor, at a spa, a resort, a fitness center or even a hotel.

As a trained massage therapist, your options are limitless. One example would be, you can use your training as second job, possibly be personal trainer and a massage therapist at a fitness center.

You can work for yourself in your own private massage practice (more information about massage therapy business opportunity). You could set up an office or do outcalls.