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 underneath the skin to treat pain, and correct issues in the musculoskeletal structure of the body.
THE MANY USES OF MASSAGE THERAPY
-To treat aches such as back pain, sciatica, chronic pain, etc.
-To treat insomnia, and improve the quality of your sleep.
-Reduce stress, and elevate mood.
-To treat muscle injuries.
-Improve blood circulation.
-To treat stiff joints for proper movement.
-Breakdown scar tissues.
-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.
-To treat fibromyalgia.
-Improve muscle fitness and health.
… And so much more.
HISTORY OF MASSAGE THERAPY
We can’t back-trace the history of massage to one origin because many cultures like Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman empire used massage as a form of pain treatment.
Although massage treatment is popular now in Europe, America, and other western societies, 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.
WESRTEN MASSAGE PRACTISE
However, because of the irreplaceable benefits of massage, health 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
By 1800s masseuses and masseurs replaced rubbers. That by 1900s, massage treatment became a licenced medical profession. This masseuses and masseurs used an understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology in their massage treatments. Also, in the 1900s Swedish massage which used physical and holistic approach to promote health was gaining popularity.
PRESENT DAY MASSAGE PRACTISE
Today, massage therapy is generally 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, and they are trained and massage practitioners.
MASSAGE THERAPIST
A Massage therapist is a male or female trained and certified in therapeutic massages.
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 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 used for Relaxing 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 that 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.
TYPES OF MASSAGES THERAPY
In present day, massage treatments can be grouped into Traditional massage and Western massage.
WESTERN MASSAGE AND TRADITIONAL MASSAGE
Traditional massage are Eastern massage practises such as Alternative treatments.
Traditional massage focuses on the flow of energy, and particular energy points within the body. While Western massage focuses on the physical components of the body such as the skeletal structure.
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 used 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 Swedish massage or a Relaxing massage.
Lymphatic massage is used to remove toxins from the body to reduce swelling and improve the flow of lymph fluids.
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 to promote rest and 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 therapeutic massage that uses long strokes, kneading, percussion and rolling movements t0 reduce aches, improve blood circulation, and soothe tense muscles.
TRADITIONAL MASSAGES
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE
Ayurvedic massage is a traditional Indian massage that is used to create balance within the body and mind 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 stones used for the treatment are smooth, flat and hot 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
Reflexology is a traditional massage from ancient Egypt 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
Shiatsu translates to ‘finger pressure’, a traditional Japanese massage treatment. The massage uses the concept of traditional Chinese medicine on specific pressure points of the body to relieve tension and pain.
THAI MASSAGE
Thai massage is a traditional massage from Thailand. It is a combination of acupressure, yoga postures and concepts of Ayurveda to revive energy, relieve pain, and improve motion and flexibility.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of massage?
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANGES OF MASSAGE THERAPY
DISADVANTAGES OF MASSAGE THERAPY
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. =
2
SLEEPINESS AFTER A MASSAGE
It’s not uncommon to feel sleepy after a relaxing massage treatment.
3
SKIN IRRITATION AND ACNE BREAKOUTS
If oils, butters, and creams are not scrubbed out of the skin they will clog skin pores, and lead to acne breakout.
Also, some oils and creams contain synthetic chemicals which might react adversely to your skin.
4
COST OF MASSAGE
In some places massage treatment is inexpensive. While in cities massage prices can range from super expensive, to relatively low in cost.
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
The benefits and advantages of massage are many.
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.
2
A FEELING OF WELLNESS
Massage promotes wellness. Good health is one of the richest treasures that a person can possess.
HAVING 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 benefits that massage offers.
4
GAINING BODY STRENGTH
Massage helps to treat injury in soft tissues, and strengthens weak muscles which builds your energy, stamina, and improves efficiency.
5
JOINT FLEXIBILITY AND RANGE OF MOVEMENT
Body massage treatment improves joint flexibility, and range of movement in different parts of the body.
6
ADVANTAGE IN SPORTS
A massage before, or after sports enhances your performance, and shorten recovery time.
7
MASSAGE THERAPY IMPROVES IMMUNITY
Massage treatment improves your body’s immunity, because it increases circulation, and lymphatic flow. The circulatory effect of massage also helps to promote white blood cells that fights against harmful substances, for better health.
8
PROMOTES RESTFUL SLEEP
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.
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 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 to stay functional and well.
12
MASSAGE THERAPY IMPROVES FITNESS AND HEALTH
Massage therapy is a healthy and natural way to stay fit and maintain good health.
These are some of the benefits of massage that are worth mentioning, although there are many more benefits and of massage treatment.
A GUIDE TO MASSAGE THERAPY
Overall, massage is an effective, healthy, and drug-free treatment that has been around for centuries. Although massage has come a long way since the early days, it still remains a wholesome treatment for pain, relaxation, and general wellbeing.