About Massage
Introduction
Massage therapy has become an important part of general health care for many people living in today's stressful world and is probably the oldest and simplest existing form of medical care that it has been applied for relaxation, fitness, and other health purposes since time immemorial and up to these days.
Traditional healthcare systems throughout the world recognize that therapeutic massage can play an important role in treating illness or chronic ailments, help relieve stress and pain, reduce blood pressure and boost the immune system as well as contribute to a higher sense of general well-being.
On the most basic, massage is applied as a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including the muscles, connective tissues, ligaments, joints and tendons. It is highly considered as a form of medical care with the notion that it can help lessen the development of painful muscular patterning. It also helps to lessen the discomfort on the soft tissues associated with the everyday and occupational stresses, muscular overuse and chronic pain syndromes.
A Brief History
Massage is one of the oldest healing arts: Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. There are certain records to suggest that the practice may have been originated in Egypt and in China. The basis of this claim is the discovery of tomb paintings in Egypt that show people being kneaded. Another evidence to support such claim is the Chinese book written in 2,700 BC which recommends breathing exercises, and some exercises involving hands and feet. According to this Chinese book entitled “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine”, massage is used for the treatment of complete paralysis, fever and chills.
The practice also flourished in India, with the known system of medicine, Ayurveda. This technique significantly puts major emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of massaging with the use of essential, aromatic oils and spices. From Ayurveda, the concept of massaging was introduced in many areas of the world and from that introduction several forms have been developed. Today, massage has been practiced not only throughout Egypt, China and India, but throughout the world.
So What Is It Exactly?
Massage, bodywork and somatic therapies are defined as the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. Specifically:
Massage: The application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress and fatigue while improving circulation. The many variations of massage account for several different techniques.
Bodywork: Various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement, and/or repatterning to affect structural changes to the body.
Somatic: Meaning “of the body.” Many times this term is used to denote a body/mind or whole-body approach as distinguished from a physiology-only or environmental perspective.
There are hundreds of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies and many practitioners utilize multiple techniques. The application of these techniques may include, but is not limited to, stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction, and pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body. This may also include non-forceful passive or active movement and/or application of techniques intended to affect the energetic systems of the body. The use of oils, lotions, and powders may also be included to reduce friction on the skin.
Benefits of Massage
One major benefit of massage is for relaxation. As what most heath care professionals and therapists often say, the practice is favorable for combating everyday stress. It alleviates muscular tension and pain, including form of discomforts and anxiety. Many have also testified that a proper massage significantly improves the elasticity and flexibility of the tissues in the body as it boosts the range of motion joints, relaxes tight muscles, and speeds up recovery from a hard exercise.
Today, massage is deemed capable of promoting well-nourished and healthy skin. It is also believed to improve the immune systems, flow of the energy in the body, as well as the circulation of the blood plus lymph. As research increases on the beneficial effects of massage, more professionals are advising patients to include therapeutic massage in their health care treatment plans. Physicians, chiropractors and physiotherapists are recommending more patients receive massages for certain health conditions, while many employers and health insurance plans support the use of registered massage therapists.
People today look to massage therapy for more than pampering. In fact, preliminary results froma recent survey suggest consumers seek massage for medical conditions more than just because it feels good. And, other healthcare providers often refer their patients to massage therapists.
Recent research shows that massage provides relief for chronic low back pain, eases pain and muscle spasms following bypass surgery, and is effective in treating lymphedema, a condition common among mastectomy survivors.
Millions of Americans are all too familiar with pain. There can be countless trips to the doctor or chiropractor, pain medications, sleepless nights and the burden of making it through the day while enduring pain.
A recent survey by the American Hospital Association shows that nearly 82 percent of hospitals that use some form of complementary or alternative care use massage therapy, with 70 percent of those hospitals using massage for pain management and pain relief.
A consumer survey commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reveals that more people than ever are seeking massage to manage and relieve pain. The survey shows that nearly half, 47 percent, of those polled have had a massage specifically for pain relief.
A 2003 survey of 1,998 massage clients showed that 63 percent believed massage therapy provided them greater pain relief than chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy or other bodywork.
Clinical research has shown massage therapy can:
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Be more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies.
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Promote relaxation and alleviate the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer patients.
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Reduce post-traumatic headaches better than cold pack treatments.
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Lessen pain and muscle spasms in patients who have undergone heart bypass surgery when part of hospital-based surgery treatment.
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Stimulate the brain to produce endorphins.
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Improve confidence by encouraging patients to effectively cope with their pain.
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