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Massage For Relaxation and Healing |
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Written by Webmaster
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Wednesday, 12 December 2007 |
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More info...
By Maureen Miranda
 As medicine becomes more advanced, some ancient forms of healing continue to stay with us. Massage therapy is a well proven technique to eliminate back pain.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is a word used to denote bodywork techniques that promote relaxation and healing. Massage therapy was used by ancient peoples some 3,000 years ago. The first recorded massage therapy session was 3,000 years ago in China. Due to the well documented benefits of massage therapy, it is still in use today. Massage is no longer considered "quack" therapy, and is gaining in popularity by the day.
Massage refers to rubbing the body. It may include specific areas, such as the back, or the entire body.
The basic techniques employed in massage therapy include:
Rubbing of muscles, soft tissues, and joints
Manipulation of joints, muscles, and soft tissues
Touch therapies, re-patterning, and movement of body structures
Stroking
Kneading
Tapping/light thumping
Compression
Vibration
Applying pressure
These techniques are combined in different ways thereby making up more
than 250 different types of massage therapy. These therapies are known by different names such as somatic therapy, sports massage, touch therapy, and Swedish massage. A massage therapist can specialize in one type of massage, or several. Each massage therapist will tailor therapy sessions toward the specific needs and goals of a client to achieve the optimal result.
These are techniques that are most often performed by the hands, but some techniques also involve the use of the massage therapist's elbows, arms, and feet (therefore, if you are uncomfortable with the use of other body parts, you need to let the therapist know ahead of time and talk about what types of techniques will be used).
Delivery of technique also relies on individual client factors, including:
Goals for massage therapy
Advice of primary care physician
Presence of injury
Medical conditions
Physical/therapeutic needs
Pain and pressure tolerance
Aversion to areas of touch
Success of past massage therapy techniques
Target body areas
Target health benefits
Massage therapy techniques are focused primarily on the muscles, joints, and soft-tissues of the body; applying the various techniques to these areas has peripheral benefits for many other body systems, thoughthe circulatory and lymphatic systems in particular.
The information provided to the massage therapist prior to the first session is what he or she will use to determine the best massage therapy techniques for you. This information is collected in the massage therapy intake form, and also through conversation with the therapist. Being open and communicative with your massage therapist on an ongoing basis will help him or her design and adjust your massage therapy sessions to optimize the results. Communication is equally important as therapy progresses so that results can be maximized and past progress can be maintained.
Massage therapists will use a number of products to enhance the benefits of the massage session. Some of these products include lotions, oils, and creams. The best tool; however, is that of the massage therapists skilled hands and knowledge of back muscles.
Massage therapy has proven health benefits ranging from circulatory dysfunctions to sports injuries. Doctors are increasingly recommending patients to massage therapy as a healthier, alternative way to pharmaceutical drugs. Massage therapy, today, is recognized as a healthy way to relieve back pain.
Maureen Miranda specializes in back pain. When are you going to get tired enough of your back pain to do something about it? For hundreds of free articles on back pain relief, go to No More Chronic Back Pain.com Tips For Your Body's Health Share Your Opinion. (0 posts)
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 December 2007 )
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