What is Massage?

Massage is the term used to designate certain manipulations of soft tissues of the body which are most systems effectively performed with the hands and are administered for the purpose of producing effects on the nervous and muscular systems and the local and general circulation of the blood lymph.

Massage therapy is the systematized manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing them. Therapists use a variety of physical methods including applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, or causing movement to the body. Therapists primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms, elbows, or feet.

The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being.

Touch is the core ingredient of massage therapy and also combines science and art. Therapists learn specific techniques for massage and use their sense of touch to determine the right amount of pressure to apply to each person and locate areas of tension and other soft-tissue problems. Touch also conveys a sense of caring, an important component in the healing relationship.

When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasm. Massage improves circulation, which increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease.

Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. It has been incorporated into many health systems, and different massage techniques have been developed and integrated into various complementary therapies.

POINTS TO PONDER

• Massage Therapy is the manipulation of the superficial muscles of the body. It is not a way to diagnose illness, disease or any other physical or mental disorders.
• This work does not constitute medical treatment. It is a form of health and wellness maintenance utilizing techniques.
• Massage Therapy does not include manipulations of the spine or prescribing of medical treatments.
• A Massage Therapist is not a medical professional and does not diagnose or prescribe.

Benefits of Massage

1. Physical Level
   • Deep relaxation and stress reduction
   • Relief of muscle tension and stiffness
   • Increased ease and proficiency of movement
   • Promotes deeper and easier breathing
   • Better circulation of both blood and lymph fluids
   • Healthier, better nourished skin
   • Improved posture
   • Health maintenance
2. Mental Level
   • Relaxes state of alertness
   • Reduced mental stress; a calmer mind
   • Greater ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
   • Increased capacity for clearer thinking
3. Emotional Level
   • Satisfying the need for caring and nurturing touch
   • Feeling of well being
   • Greater ease of emotional expression
   • Enhanced self-image
   • Reduced levels of anxiety
   • Increased awareness of the mind-body connection
   • A sense of being unified and in harmony

Why Massage?

• Massage can create deep relaxation of the body and mind.
• Relieve chronic and acute muscular aches and pains.
• Releasing emotional and energy blockages allowing more energy and life force to move through the body.
• Reducing mental and physical fatigue leaving a clear mind and renewed vitality.
• Increasing the blood supply of nutrients to the muscles improving their tone and functioning.
• The blood circulation through the body is improved as massage dilates the blood vessels.
• Elimination of accumulated waste products in the muscles which cause aches and pains after strenuous exercise.
• The lymphatic system is improved and flushed through aiding the elimination of waste products and toxins from the body.
• Massage can help tissue metabolism.
• Helps the body and reduce stored fat in the tissues.
• Can improve digestion, assimilation and elimination process of the body.
• The breaking down of adhesions within the body will give greater mobility and flexibility.
• Rheumatism and arthritis can be relieved by improving the circulation and reducing inflammation in the joints.

Contraindications of Massage

1. Pressure should not be applied directly on varicose veins while massaging.
2. Do not massage a woman abdomen after four months of pregnancy. However, for the rest of the body, massage is wonderful art this time especially legs and feet.
3. Do not massage areas of the body where there are skin disease, skin rashes, tumor, cancer, and recent scar tissue.
4. Do not massage someone who is sick and those with high temperature or fever, as massage can raise the temperature more.
5. Do not massage person who is bleeding, haemorrhaging and women with menstruation.
6. Do not massage person with tuberculosis and highly infectious diseases like venereal diseases, AIDS, etc.
7. Do not massage person with high blood pressure or newly stroke patients.
8. Do not massage person with fracture bones or with sprains.
9. Do not massage person who are extremely tired and with hang over.
10. Do not give massage when their stomach is either full or empty.
11. After operations wait until the healing process is complete before giving the person a massage.

Resources:

Review Manual for Massage Therapist