Holistic massage therapy treats the body as a whole when dealing with any health concerns. The mind, body and energetic body are considered to be one. With this approach, if one system is out of balance, then all are considered out of balance. Utilizing this method can bring the body back into homeostasis and to its naturally healthy state.
Significance
Treating the body as a whole can be a strange concept. Why would you examine what is happening mentally if your back hurts? Holistic, which means "whole," massage therapy treats all the body systems as one. For example, if you look at what is going on with your mental state and find you are depressed, one of the symptoms of depression is persistent aches or pain. In this case, the cause is mental but the condition is physical. Holistic massage would then address both states.
Internal and External Causes
A holistic massage therapist weighs external causes and internal causes. She will ask questions regarding your stress levels as well as ergonomic factors. Is your stress and anxiety level higher than normal for you? Do you have a comfortable work station? When all external sources are excluded, then internal questions are asked such as, Are you sleeping well at night? How is your blood pressure? All of these symptoms matter when you are dealing with any type of imbalance.
Structural and Muscular
By asking yourself a few questions before your massage session, you will be able to give the most accurate information to your therapist. Do you feel muscle aches? Do your bones feel as though they are in place or does one part of your body feel different from before? Being aware of your body will help you get more out of a massage session and enable you to compare how you felt before and after.
Finding a Therapist
Different states have different types of licensing requirements for therapists. One way of finding a therapist is on-line holistic directories. This will enable you to put in your zip code to find one specifically in your area. There are links in the Resources section. Once you have a therapist in mind, call and ask questions pertaining to your individual needs. If you feel comfortable with the answers you get, chances are you will be comfortable getting a massage from this particular therapist.
Types
There are several different types of holistic massage therapies, including relaxation, sports, oriental, and Russian sports, to name a few, says the Holisticonline website. A massage therapist is likely to know several modalities, so telling him about your life stresses, background and family history will give him a better understanding of what modality will work best for you. If he cannot help, ask for a reference. Chances are he will know someone in the field and point you in the right direction.
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