What Are The Benefits Of Holistic Massage?

The focus of holistic massage, which comes in many varieties and from many cultures, is the massage therapist's holistic treatment of mind, body and spirit. While conventional massage, such as Swedish or sports massage, focuses on muscle soreness and tenseness, a holistic massage therapist may integrate many other healing modalities into private practice, including aromatherapy and energy medicine. The underlying belief is that in order to relax, the client also needs empathetic care in addition to tenderized muscles.

Physical Benefits

Massage therapists tailor their services to individual clients, so most start the first session by taking medical information about the individual and paying special attention to their bodily aches and pains. Unlike traditional massage, however, a holistic massage therapist may also ask about emotional and spiritual concerns.

Most massage is done on a table or chair. In either case, common benefits include reduced soreness and inflammation of hurt muscles. Also, chronic back pain, muscle spasms and other soft-tissue dysfunctions are alleviated through massage according to "the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine."

Emotional Benefits

Holistic massage therapists are also well aware of the emotional benefits of massage, which include reducing stress and anxiety, as well as increasing awareness, calmness and emotional "centeredness." Because massage triggers the release of endorphins in the brain, clients may notice an overall increase in wellbeing.
The National Institutes of Health reports that massage also can improve mood for hospice patients, many of whom suffer from chronic and debilitating pain. Massage therapy may help reduce depressive symptoms as well as the emotional distress from PMS, according to the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami.

Spiritual Benefits

Holistic massage also draws from Eastern philosophy, which views disease as a symptom of energy blockages in the body. This vital energy, called "qi" and pronounced "chi," can be redirected through acupressure, a specific massage treatment that addresses the same areas as acupuncture.
In Shiatzu, a traditional Japanese massage, acupressure is combined with joint rotation. Thai massage may incorporate all of these techniques as well as passive stretching techniques. In all of these traditional forms of Eastern massage, the goal is to increase the client's vitality by manipulating the bioenergetic forces in the body that have become blocked.
Christian massage also focuses on the energetic components of healing. Known as "laying on hands," this ancient energy practice can easily be complemented by gentle tissue massage.