Massage therapy is becoming more common as a treatment for certain kinds of health problems. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), about 18 million adults and 700,000 children said they received massage therapy over the previous 12 months in the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. Though many people consider neck rubs and back rubs to be a type of massage, real massage therapy is performed by a trained massage therapist.
Identification
Massage therapy involves manipulating the body's muscles, tendons and soft tissue in the body in order to promote relaxation and healing. A massage therapist uses her hands and fingers--and occasionally, her elbows, forearms or feet--to apply pressure to specific parts of the body by pressing and rubbing them. In addition to relaxing the muscles, massage therapy helps improve circulation, increasing the flow of blood and lymph through the body.
Types
There are several different types of massage therapy. Deep tissue massage, as the name suggests, uses intense pressure to target tissues deep below the surface of the skin. Swedish massage uses a combination of long, circular strokes, kneading, tapping and vibration to promote muscle alignment and relaxation. Sports massage uses the techniques of Swedish massage to improve the muscle health of athletes. In trigger point massage, a therapist focuses on specific muscle formations that are considered trigger points because of their effects on other parts of the body when they're manipulated.
Benefits
According to NCCAM, there's not enough research to conclusively recommend massage therapy for specific conditions, but the limited research that exists suggests massage therapy can have a beneficial effect on a few conditions, including chronic lower back pain, chronic neck pain and cancer-related aches and pains. Massage therapy can also improve joint mobility and speed up recovery from minor injuries and fatigue, according to the Patient Education Institute.
Considerations
There are relatively few risks associated with massage therapy, but people who have blood vessel disease or cardiovascular disease should check with their doctors first because of the increased risk of blood clots, according to the Patient Education Institute. Be sure to check with your doctor and let your massage therapist know if you are pregnant, since some massage methods might be dangerous for pregnant women. If you have weak bones because of osteoporosis or previous injury, you should avoid massage in the affected area.
Expert Insight
When you're choosing a massage therapist, be sure to choose one who is licensed and experienced, recommends NCCAM. Look for a therapist who's been certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in massage or massage and bodywork, a certification that requires therapists to pass an exam, meet educational requirements at an accredited institution, participate in continuing education courses and hold malpractice insurance.
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