A DEFINITIVE GUILD TO MASSAGE THERAPY
In this guild to Massage therapy, you’ll find:
-WHAT MASSAGE THERAPY IS
-WHAT MASSAGE THERAPY IS USE FOR
-HISTORY OF MASSAGE
-DIFFRENCE BETWEEN A MASSEUR, MASSEUSE, A MASSAGE THERAPIST, AND A WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL
-APPROACHES TO MASSAGE
-TYPES OF MASSAGES
-ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANGES OF MASSAGE THERAPY
So let’s get started.
WHAT IS MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage therapy is the rubbing, pressing and kneading of the skin, using the hands, arms, feet, or a tool to reach deeper layers of skin, muscles, connective tissues, and even to the bones of the body. This is because, one of the main focus of massage is to correct issues in the musculoskeletal system of the human body. Particularly, to treat pain and to put the structure of the body in the right order.
Evidently, wellness massage improves health, reduces stress, and focuses the mind. Hence, massage therapy provides many goodness and benefits for your mind, body, and overall health. This is why regular massage treatment is recommended as part of your wellness routine, especially if you work a lot, or under a lot of pressure.
WHAT IS MASSAGE THERAPY USE FOR?
-To treat pain. Such as back pain, sciatica, leg pain, and chronic pain.
-To treat insomnia, and improve the quality of your sleep.
-Reduce stress, and elevate mood.
-To treat body ache.
-To treat muscle injuries.
-Improve blood circulation.
-To treat stiff joints for proper movement.
-To breakdown scar tissues.
– For Fat reduction. Massage breaks down body fat.
-To treat digestive disorder.
-For quick recovery of muscles and joints after a sport, or other physical activities.
-To treat headaches and migraines.
-To align the parts of the body for proper body function.
-For relaxation, mental clarity and focus.
-To treat abdominal pain.
-T0 treat fibromyalgia.
-Improve muscle fitness and health.
… And so much more.
Massage therapy is used for many treatments, because of the benefits it provide to our wellbeing. But before we get into the benefits, and also the disadvantages of massage, let’s take a look at the history of massage therapy.
HISTORY OF MASSAGE THERAPY
We can’t back-trace the history of massage to one origin. Because many cultures used massage as a form of pain treatment. Right from the early days of Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman empire.
Although massage treatment is popular now in Europe, America, and other Christianised societies, but it wasn’t years ago. Because after Christianity gained dominance, the use of traditional massage was discouraged because it was associated with pagan practises. And massage as a form of treatment was replaced with western medicine, and physicians.
WESRTEN MASSAGE PRACTISE
However, because of the irreplaceable benefits of massage, physicians, in 1700s, reintroduced massage into western societies, mainly to treat orthopaedic problems.
Back then, medical doctors hired massage experts called ‘rubbers’ to assist in the rehabilitation of patients after surgery.
Rubbers used massage, and joint movements in their treatment to increase a patient’s range of motion, and to help them heal fast, and move properly after an injury.
MASSEUSES AND MASSEURS
Then came masseuses and masseurs, in the early 1800s, they replaced rubbers.
Masseuses and masseurs used an understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology in their massage treatments. That by 1900s, massage treatment became a licenced medical profession.
Also, in the 1900s, Swedish massage from Sweden was introduced. Swedish massage used physical and holistic approach to promote health. Furthermore, Swedish massage also led to the introduction of full body massage to heal, increase circulation, increase appetite, and release muscle tension in patients. Because of the benefits of massage, and the different approaches to massage, more people accepted massage as a drug-free treatment.
PRESENT DAY MASSAGE PRACTISE
Today, massage therapy is more popular and highly recommended than it was years ago. Now we have more massage practitioners, such as masseuses, masseurs, massage therapists, and wellness professionals.
DIFFRENCE BETWEEN A MASSEUR, MASSEUSE, A MASSAGE THERAPIST, AND A WELLNESS PROFESSIONAL
MASSEUR AND MASSEUSE
A Masseur or Masseuse is a person who provides massage professionally. The term Masseur is used for both male and female. However, Masseuse is usually the term for a female who provides massage professionally.
Masseurs and Masseuses are knowledgeable in Anatomy and Physiology. They are trained, and experienced massage practitioners. Also they are skilled in traditional, and medical massage treatments.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
A Massage therapist is a person who provides therapeutic massages professionally. A massage therapist is either a male or female trained and certified in therapeutic massages.
Massage therapists are knowledgeable in the musculoskeletal structure of the human body.
A Massage therapists can also be called a masseur or masseuse.
WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS
A Wellness professional is a person who gives health and dietary consultations, and may provide wellness massage. Wellness professionals are trained in massage treatments, health care, nutrition, Pathology, and Alternative medicine.
Usually different massage practitioners from different cultures would use their own approaches, and philosophy to massage.
APPROACHES TO MASSAGE THERAPY
Over the years massage practitioners have developed different approaches, techniques, philosophy, and styles of massage to create an effect in the body and mind.
Some of the approaches use in massage today are:
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses aromatic plants, scents, and essential oils to influence the senses. It is use for Relaxation massages, to treat aliments, and to elevate mood.
Energy Points Therapy
This approach of massage focuses on the different energy points, and the flow of energy in the body.
Holistic Massage Approach
This approach to massage focuses on the whole person, taking into consideration the mental, physical, emotional, and social factors, rather than just a part of the person.
Myotherapy
Myotherapy is a form of Physical therapy. It is used in medical massage, Sports massage, and Deep tissue massage.
Remedial Therapeutic Massage
This is a physical, hands-on massage treatment, using kneading, pressing, tapping, and stretching, to treat pain, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
Now that we have gone through what massage therapy is; the history of massage; the different massage practitioners, and approaches to massage, let’s look at the types of massages and their origins, before we get into the disadvantages and advantages of massage therapy.
TYPES OF MASSAGES THERAPY
Nowadays, massage treatments can be grouped into Traditional massage or Western massage.
WESTERN MASSAGE AND TRADITIONAL MASSAGE
Traditional massage are massage styles and techniques that originated from cultures outside of Western societies. They are Eastern massage practises such as Alternative massage treatments.
Traditional massage focuses on the flow of energy, and particular energy points within the body.
Western massage focuses on the physical components of the body and the skeletal structure. Western massage is aimed to treat pain, injury, and correct problems in the muscles, and connective tissues, and to reduce stress for better health.
The main difference between Traditional massage and Western massage is that Traditional massage focuses on the flow of energy in the body. While Western massage focuses on the musculoskeletal system of the body.
TYPES OF MASSAGES
POPULAR WESTERN MASSAGES
- Deep tissue massage
- Lymphatic drainage massage
- Relaxing massage
- Sports massage
- Swedish massage
POPULAR TRADITIONAL MASSAGES
- Ayurvedic massage
- Lomi lomi massage
- Reflexology massage
- Shiatsu massage
- Thai massage
- Hot stone massage
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Deep tissue massage treatment uses firm but gentle pressure on the skin to reach inner layers of muscles and connective tissues. This massage is use to treat aches, chronic pain, weak muscles, muscle injury, stiff joints, and connective tissues. Deep tissue massage is also use to reduce inflammation, to break down scar tissues, and to improve blood circulation which quickens muscle and tendon recovery.
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of massage that stimulates the lymphatic system. It is considered a type of massage because it uses, in part, hand movements on the skin. But it is different from other therapeutic massages such as a Swedish massage or a Relaxing massage.
Lymphatic massage is use to remove toxins from body tissues, to improve the flow of lymph fluids, and to reduce swelling.
RELAXING MASSAGE
A Relaxing massage is a type of massage that uses long, soothing strokes of medium to light pressure on the skin.
Relaxing massage focuses on relaxation, by reducing muscle tension and aches. It helps to reduce tightness in the muscles, promotes rest, and a good night sleep.
SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY
Sports massage is a massage treatment for treating, and preventing injuries from sports or other physical activities. It focuses on correcting problems and imbalances that are caused from repetitive physical activities in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.
Sports massage can be a slow paced massage or a fast paced massage, with stretching and movement.
SWEDISH MASSAGE THERAPY
Swedish massage is a type of Relaxation massage that uses long strokes, kneading, percussion and rolling movements. But the massage treatment can be used to relax, or energise. Swedish massage reduces aches, improves blood circulation, and soothes tense muscles.
Swedish massage is a full body massage, using body oil or lotion.
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE
Ayurvedic massage is a traditional Indian massage. It is use to create a balance within the body, mind and spirit, by clearing the energy pathways so that the body can heal itself.
HOT STONE MASSAGE
Hot stone massage is a form of Alternative massage treatment. The stone used for the treatment are smooth, flat and hot. The stones are heated to a right temperature that is bearable and can’t char the skin. Hot stone massage is use to relief pain, increase circulation, and to relax.
LOMI LOMI MASSAGE
Lomi lomi is from the Hawaiian language which translates to ‘rub rub’. It is a traditional Hawaiian massage.
A typical Lomi lomi massage uses a combination of prayer, nut oils, massage techniques, breathing, and dance to restore energy and relax the body.
REFLEXOLOGY
This is a traditional massage from ancient Egypt. Reflexology is a massage that focuses on the feet, and sometimes the hands and ears, to relax and improve a person’s mood, organs, and tissues in the body.
SHIATSU MASSAGE
It is a traditional Japanese massage treatment. Shiatsu massage uses the concept of traditional Chinese medicine which uses pressure on specific points of the body to relieve tension and pain. Shiatsu translates to ‘finger pressure’.
THAI MASSAGE
Thai massage is a traditional massage from Thailand. It is carried out with a combination of acupressure, yoga postures and concepts of Ayurveda to revive energy, relieve pain, improve motion and flexibility.
These are the popular Traditional and Western massages, although there are other massage treatments that are less known.
So to proceed, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of massage therapy.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANGES OF MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage is an effective treatment, however it also holds some disadvantages. So what are the disadvantages of massage?
DISADVANTAGES OF MASSAGE
1
SORENESS AFTER A MASSAGE
This is felt especially after a hard, and deep massage treatment.
Some people have stated that they felt sore in the areas that was deeply massaged, but wasn’t unbearable or uncomfortable. Although this is not normal, but it’s okay, and the soreness usually goes away in one or two days. And if during a massage you feel the pressure is hard and painful, tell your therapist about it. He or she will make sure to use the right pressure to avoid soreness.
2
SLEEPINESS AFTER A MASSAGE
It’s not uncommon to feel sleepy after relaxing massage treatments. But if you have a busy day, or an important task you don’t want to be drowsy. So, do let your therapist know that you have a busy day ahead before the massage starts. And you will get the right treatment, and not a sleep-inducing massage.
3
SKIN IRRITATION AND ACNE BREAKOUTS
This can happen because of the massages oils, butters, and creams used to smoothen the skin to prevent friction and chafing. But oils, butters, and creams if not scrubbed out of the skin will clog skin pores, and lead to acne breakout.
Also, some oils and creams contain synthetic chemicals which might react adversely to your skin.
However, skin irritation and acne breakouts can be avoided:
- For the massage, use your own oil, butter or cream that you like, and use regularly.
- After a massage with body butters, oils, or creams, wash and exfoliate your skin to prevent clogging your pores.
4
COST OF MASSAGE
In some places massage treatment is inexpensive. While in a city like London or New York massage prices can range from super expensive, to relatively low in cost.
However effective and quality massages are not cheap, and this is a disadvantage for someone on a budget, because they can’t afford to get massages regularly.
So, if you live in a place where massages are expensive, take your time to find an affordable, but expert massage therapist, for few sessions in a year. Or you can learn basic massage techniques, and give yourself a simple massage.
These are some of the disadvantages of massage that I found. Now on to the good part, the advantages and the benefits of massage.
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
The benefits and advantages of massage are so many to name a few. But here are some of the benefits of massage therapy.
1
LIVING WITHOUT PAIN AND ACHES
There is a comfort when we go about our daily lives without pain, and aches. A life without pain, or headaches is a life of ease.
Any form of pain can be distracting, and discouraging. Because pain is an indication of an injury, or illness, or it’s a reflection of our emotional state. And massage is an effective treatment to heal pain and aches in the body, to ensure that you go about your day pain-free.
2
A FEELING OF WELLBEING
Good health is one of the richest treasures that a man or woman can possess, without, life becomes dull, and unpleasant.
Our wellbeing is not only important, it’s also essential for our survival. This is why, as individuals, we need a healthy routine. And massage improves wellbeing, as it’s a healthy treatment for the body and mind. This is because massage treats many aliments, corrects problems in the musculoskeletal system, improves circulation, improves sleep, calms the mind, and many more…
3
LIVING WITH A CALM STATE OF MIND
A calm state of mind helps you to focus better, and to make sensible decisions. This is one of the advantages that massage offers, because it provides a calm ambiance for your mind, which continues long after the massage.
Massage is an effective Relaxation therapy, especially if you are stressed, or nervous. Massage definitely helps to keep you calm, and focused.
4
GAINING BODY STRENGTH
The strength of your muscles equals your physical strength. Because weak and injured muscles leads to lethargy. And massage helps to treat injury in soft tissues, and strengthens weak muscles. This is why massage treatment helps your body gain strength, which builds your energy, stamina, and improves your efficiency.
5
JOINT FLEXIBILITY AND RANGE OF MOVEMENT
Body massage treatment improves joint flexibility, and range of movement in different parts of the body.
Our diets, physical activities, or age can make the joints in the body rigid, which makes motion difficult. But massage helps to improve the health of the joints, and other connective tissues, making it easy to walk, and do activities with ease.
6
ADVANTAGE IN SPORTS
A massage before, or after sports, enhances your performance, and recovery. Even getting a massage after a workout session is crucial for the recovery, and strengthening of your muscles and joints.
7
IMPROVES IMMUNITY
Massage treatment improves your body’s immunity, because it increases circulation, and lymphatic flow. The process of massage helps nutrients to flow properly in your body, and to filter waste.
The circulatory effect of massage also helps to promote white blood cells that fights against harmful substances, for better health.
8
PROMOTES RESTFUL SLEEP
Yes, after a massage session, you will sleep well at night. As massage is an effective treatment to soothe tight muscles, to treat insomnia, and restlessness. Massage is a good treatment for a restful sleep.
9
QUICK RECOVERY TIME AFTER A STRAIN OR MUSCLE INJURY
Massage helps to speedup the healing process of your body especially after a strain or muscle injury. without massage treatment it can take up to weeks for you to heal, and get back to your activities. But with the use massage treatment your body’s recovers faster, and you can get back to sports and other physical activities sooner.
10
BETTER POSTURE
Because massage aims at correcting problems and imbalances in the musculoskeletal structure of the body, it strengthens muscles, and connective tissues in the body, to improve posture. Regular massages improves the spine, and the hips for upright support, and for better body posture.
11
A HEALTHY DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
Massage helps the digestive system process food properly, by increasing bowel movement to reduce symptoms of constipation, and removing gas, and waste from the body. Massage assists the digestive system stay functional and healthy.
12
FITNESS AND GOOD HEALTH
Massage therapy is a healthy and natural way to stay fit and maintain good health. Because massage provides many benefits for our wellbeing, to treat pain, to increase relaxation, to improve circulation, range of movement, digestion, this make massage a healthy and natural alternative to improve fitness and health.
These are some of the benefits of massage that are worth mentioning, although there are many more benefits and advantages of massage treatment.
CONCULSION
Overall, massage is an effective, healthy, and drug-free treatment that has been around for centuries, and hopefully will be in use for a long time. Although massage has come a long way since the early days, it still remains a wholesome treatment for pain, relaxation, and general wellbeing.
I hope this Definitive Guild To Massage Therapy was informative and helpful. And now you know what massage therapy is, the history of massage, the benefits and disadvantages of massage, types of massages, approaches to massage, and the difference between a massage therapist and a masseur, and the uses of massage treatment.
