Known in the United States as therapeutic massage, remedial massage therapists address chronic muscular, tendon or ligament pain, posture issues that are not related to the spine, and specific soft tissue injuries. Massage New Zealand, that nation's governing body for massage therapists, reports that remedial massage is not only useful in the rehabilitation of injuries, but the reduction of arthritis, tendinitis and other muscular inflammation. Remedial massage does for the body what remedial education does for schoolchildren. It addresses a specific issue while offering a greater benefit to the body as a whole.
Rehabilitation of Soft Tissue
Damage to your body's musculature can impede your range of motion. Tight muscles in the neck, back and shoulders can restrict your ability to sit or stand comfortably, turn your head, or lift items of a reasonable size. Remedial therapeutic massage targets the distressed muscle group through pressure, kneading and stroking to loosen the tension and improve the body's ability to move freely. Dana Davis, clinical director at Rehab Orthopaedic Medicine in Decatur, Ga., writes that massage assists muscles in the release of toxins. Lactic acid builds up in muscles following activity, leading to spasms, stiffness and pain. Targeted therapy can release these toxins into the bloodstream for filtering and disposal by the kidneys.
Pain Relief
A study published in the April 2002 issues of the "Journal of Clinical Rheumatology" reported that therapeutic massage alleviated pain and improved sleep patterns among adults with fibromyalgia. Conducted by the University of Miami's Touch Research Institute, adults were given two 30-minute massages each week over a five-week period. Participants in the massage group showed increased hours of sleep, less sleep movement and a decrease in a brain chemical---substance P---known to cause muscle pain. The subjects also reported lower pain and muscle tenderness.
Improves Circulatory Efficiency
Kneading and rubbing of the skin not only assists your muscles, but the way blood flows through your body. Davis writes that massage stimulates the circulatory system to deliver fresh oxygen and nutrition to the muscular system. A September 2008 article in "Newsweek" reported that massage may influence the vagus nerve---one of the body's blood pressure regulators. The article cites research from the University of South Florida published in 2005 showing that people with high blood pressure that received massage therapy over a three-week period saw improvement compared to those that did not.
Pain Relief for Cancer Patients
Massage can also improve the quality of life for people with cancer. A study sponsored by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, measured the effects of six 30-minute remedial massages over a two-week period. The results showed significant pain relief and improved mood among 380 people with advanced stages of cancer who reported moderate to severe pain.
References
- Massage New Zealand: Therapeutic Massage
- Spine Universe: Massage Therapy
- Newsweek: Five Surprising Benefits of Massage
- "Journal of Clinical Rheumatology": Fibromyalgia Pain and Substance P Decrease and Sleep Improves After Massage Therapy
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Massage Therapy May Ease Pain and Improve Mood...
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