Essentially, Massage Therapy is the intentional and systematic manipulation of soft-tissue for the purpose of enhancing or maintaining health within and among the various systems of the body while the body is at rest and the mind is letting go.
Therapeutic massage helps restore balance, and brings the body back to normal by enhancing the relaxation response. Massage also relieves many of the mental and physical problems caused by prolonged stress. Swedish Massage is characterized by the familiar long strokes, as well as, kneading, vibration, friction and percussion techniques. Joint movements and stretching are commonly performed as part of the massage.
A massage session is determined largely by the needs of the client. Length of service can range from 30 minutes to one or two hours, and may focus on either a specific symptom or body area or incorporate the full body. These sessions are generally wellness oriented and aim to improve circulation, relax the muscles, improve joint mobility, induce general relaxation, promote healthy skin and create a general sense of well-being. Clients are usually treated while resting on a massage table or seated in a chair.
The Many Benefits & Applications of Therapeutic Massage
However, massage goes far beyond
feeling good. Therapeutic Massage stretches and loosens muscles and other tissue.
This manipulation of tissue leaves a sensation of complete relaxation. Massage
increases circulation, improves blood flow and stimulates the movement of lymph
fluid. This increase speeds the removal of toxic waste products and allows
nutrient rich, fresh clean blood and oxygen to reach all the cells of the body.
The enhancement of waste removal lessens the chance of toxic build up, ("knots")
which can become a permanent adhesion and cause tremendous discomfort and
possible disease. Therapeutic massage can be an important
component of your health maintenance or wellness plan. It helps keep the body
and mind functioning optimally.
Massage
sessions help to reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress. Therapeutic Massage
can help you to sleep better, reduce your anxiety, and create an overall sense
of good health.
Promotes well nourished and healthy skin
Improves circulation of blood and lymph
Relaxes muscles and improves joint mobility
Encourages general relaxation & improves energy flow
Improves immune system functioning
Therapeutic massage can help relieve
certain common physical problems, and help bring the body back to optimal
functioning.
General muscular tension and aches
Tension headaches
Muscular back pain
Poor circulation
Stress and anxiety
Therapeutic massage can be an important
adjunct to a fitness or sports program, helping you performance goals with
minimum injury and pain.
Massage addresses specific sports
related injuries, and injuries sustained from everyday activity.
Relieves tired and sore muscles
Helps improve flexibility
Reduces anxiety of athletic competition
Speeds recovery from strenuous physical exertion and/or injury
Relaxes tight muscles
Therapeutic massage is effective in
combating the negative effects of aging noticed in the middle to late years of
life.
Massage can
help release chronic muscular tension and pain by improving circulation and
increasing joint flexibility.
It helps keep body tissues and basic functions in a more youthful state.
Enhances tissue elasticity and joint flexibility
Improves blood and lymph circulation
Promotes healthy vibrant skin
Improves immune system functioning
Relieves muscle aches and stiffness.
Therapeutic massage helps balance the
effects of stress in our lives and helps to avoid stress-related disease and dysfunction.
In fact, it's this capacity to reduce stress
that is leading an increasing number of people to include massage as part of
their wellness routines.
Triggers the Relaxation Response
Relaxes tense muscles
Reduces anxiety level
Normalizes blocked energy flow
Improves immune system functioning
Restores a calm mind and feeling of
wellbeing
Therapeutic massage can help in certain
temporary or long term situations, which cause unique physical and mental
challenges.
For mothers-to-be during pregnancy
For infants, especially premature and other developmentally challenged babies.
For the disabled, especially those in wheel chairs and others with challenging orthopedic conditions
For the elderly
Therapeutic massage is frequently used to enhance the beneficial effects of other types of health care.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Post Surgical Patients
Chiropractic
Medical Patients
Psychotherapy
Concerns
There are situations in which caution should be taken when receiving therapeutic massage. It is generally agreed upon that persons with uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, recent surgery or fractures, phlebitis, fever, and other problem conditions should consult their physicians for any restrictions before receiving a massage. In some cases, limited restrictions apply, and in rare cases, massage should be avoided altogether. If in doubt, check with your doctor.