Massage treatments are used to release muscular tension, reduce pain and promote total-body relaxation. It is usually performed at fitness centers, spas and physical therapy clinics. In some cases, individuals might hire private massage therapists to come to their home. Massage should always be performed by a certified, licensed professional.
Historical References
While massage therapist Julie Onofrio has done extensive research on the history of massage, she warns that a good deal of conflicting information exists on the subject. Some sources date the origins of massage to China in 3000 BC. It is speculated that the Cong-Fu of the Toa-Tse, which was written during that period, is the first book on massage. Dwight Byers, author of "Better Health with Foot Reflexology: The Original Ingham Method," traces the origins of reflexology massage to ancient Egypt. Author Robert Noah Calvert has also done extensive research on massage history. In his book titled "The History of Massage," he states that the massage technique known as lomi-lomi is an ancient Hawaiian healing art.
Expert Insight
Some people believe that massage increases post-exercise blood flow and removes lactic acid. However, this theory came under fire at the May 2009 conference of the American College of Sports Medicine. Michael Tschakovsky, PhD is a kinesiology professor at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. In his study, 12 healthy male students performed two minutes of isometric hand grip exercises at 40 percent of their maximum contractile strength. Tschakovsky's research team measured the subjects' blood flow and lactate concentration every 30 seconds for 10 minutes. The measurements were performed when the subjects were at rest, after massage and during an active recovery period.
They discovered that blood flow to the forearm was significantly higher after the rest period than it was after massage. The researchers speculate that the benefits of massage may be attributed to a placebo effect.
Warnings
While massage has relatively few risks, it is not recommended under certain circumstances. For example, anyone with a deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot in the leg, should avoid massage. If you have a bleeding disorder, or if you're taking a blood thinner, consult your physician before getting a massage. The same precautions apply to people with fragile skin, cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. Pregnant women can have a prenatal massage, which will not place them in a supine or prone position. Make sure that you do not have an allergy to any of the massage oils.
Benefits of Massage
Although they specialize in alternative therapies, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine admits that respectable massage research is limited. As such, they have been conducting a number of research papers on the subject. In a 2008 review of 13 clinical trials, they found that massage might be beneficial for people with chronic lower back pain. They studied over 300 hospice patients with advanced cancer and discovered that massage reduced pain and improved mood. Another study found that 64 subjects with chronic neck pain found relief through massage.
Speculations
It has been speculated that massage may create a shift in the nervous system away from the sympathetic and toward the parasympathetic. The sympathetic nervous system creates the "fight or flight response," whereas the parasympathetic system creates a "rest and digest" response.
Types
There are over 80 types of massage. Swedish is the most popular form practiced in the United States. It involves circular massage movements, long smooth strokes and kneading. Shiatsu massage uses intense finger pressure on specific acupuncture meridians. In reflexology, pressure is applied to parts of the foot that correspond to other parts of the body. Sports massage is used to prevent athletic injuries and enhance athletic technique.
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