Massage therapy is a treatment that utilizes specific manual techniques to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. Massage can be used to treat a wide range of conditions that affect the muscular and skeletal systems, and to induce a state of deepened relaxation and increased general well-being.
What Massage Is
The Medical Dictionary defines massage therapy as "the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues...consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body." Massage therapists use their hands and occasionally forearms or elbows, to manually manipulate muscle tissue; both superficial and deep, tendons and ligaments and connective tissues.
What Massage Does
Therapeutic massages increases the circulation of blood and the flow of lymph, the substance that transports many toxins out of the bloodstream. This increases the body's ability to heal itself, making massage a suitable treatment for many conditions that affect the muscular, skeletal and immune systems. Massage has also been proven to reduce muscle stiffness and increase range of motion, as well as inducing relaxation. Massage therapy is commonly recommended for patients with conditions such as muscular strains, sprains and inflammation and chronic pain.
Types of Massage
Licensed massage therapists are trained in the use of many different types of massage techniques, although they may also choose to specialize in one kind. The most commonly offered is the Swedish massage, in which the therapist uses gentle kneading, tapping and rubbing motions on the superficial musculature. Deep tissue massage is similar, but addresses the deeper muscles and is often used to help decrease the formation of scar tissue. In trigger point massage, therapists work specifically on trigger points, which are spots of myofascial tissue that involve multiple muscles and can be very sore to the touch. Other types of massage available include sports massage, shiatsu and hot stone massage.
Contraindications to Massage
Although massage is generally considered to be safe and virtually free of side effects, there are some contraindications for massage. The Mayo Clinic notes that individuals with skin conditions such as open wounds, infections, rashes, fractures or other injuries; and blood clotting disorders should not get a massage. Most massage therapists do not treat women who are in the first trimester of pregnancy, and because prenatal massage requires specific equipment and techniques, it should only be performed by massage therapists with training in this area of expertise.
Massage Practitioners
Therapeutic massage can be performed by licensed medical professionals only. This includes physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and licensed massage therapists. Each state has its own set of regulations that govern certification for therapists. Minimally, a licensed massage therapist has successfully completed a massage therapy training program and a comprehensive examination. Common licenses for massage therapists include: Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and Licensed Massage Practitioner (LMP).
Member Comments