Today people often get massages as a way to relax, relieve stress or simply to pamper themselves. However, massage therapy has been used by ancient cultures across the globe to promote good health for centuries. Massage therapy is a technique commonly used in alternative medicine. Scientific research does not support the use of massage therapy as a replacement for any conventional medical procedure.
Background
Massage therapy is used to help relieve pain and reduce muscle stiffness related to conditions such as chronic back or neck pain and sports injuries. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) points to several theories that attempt to explain how massage therapy may work on your body. Some scientists theorize that massage therapy may cause your brain to release "feel good" hormones such as endorphins and serotonin. Other scientists suggest that massage therapy may help block pain signals. However, no conclusive evidence proves the efficacy of massage therapy for health.
Preparation
When you arrive for a massage therapy session, the massage therapist will ask about your medical history and current condition. She will then ask you to specify what muscles you want massaged. Once you are positioned comfortably on the massage table, the massage therapist will get to work. Many massage facilities also have relaxing music playing in the background.
Techniques
Many different massage therapy techniques are used, including deep-tissue massage, Swedish massage and trigger-point massage. During a deep-tissue massage, the massage therapist applies the maximum amount of pressure that you can handle to get deep down into your muscles. Trigger-point massage involves applying pressure to very specific locations on your muscles called "trigger points" in an effort to help relieve pain. In a Swedish massage, the massage therapist uses varying speeds and pressure levels. This can range from firm kneading motions to light tapping movements. However, no conclusive research exists confirming the efficacy of any particular massage therapy technique.
Research
According to NCCAM, some scientific studies have shown promising results regarding the benefits of massage therapy in reducing chronic low-back and neck pain, depression and anxiety. Despite these findings, however, the scientific community has yet to find clear evidence to indicate massage therapy can be an effective treatment for any specific health condition.
Precautions
If you are thinking of trying massage therapy for the first time, a few things should be kept in mind. As with any medical procedure, massage therapy can potentially cause side effects, including mild to moderate muscle soreness and bruising. Deep-tissue massage is not recommended if you have cancer, a bleeding disorder or if you take blood thinners. Make sure you choose a massage therapy practitioner who has been certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
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