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More
Information About Massage Therapy
Whether
seeking relief for a medical condition, searching for a method
to help deal with the stresses of daily life or wanting to
maintain good health, more and more Americans are turning to
therapeutic massage.
Massage doesn't just feel good,
research shows it reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure,
increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles,
improves range of motion, and increases endorphins, the body's
natural painkillers. Therapeutic massage enhances medical
treatment and helps people feel less anxious and stressed, relaxed
yet more alert.
- A national survey conducted by the
State University of New York at Syracuse found 54 percent of
primary care physicians and family practitioners said they would
encourage their patients to pursue massage therapy as a
treatment, and a third of those said they are willing to refer
patients to a massage therapist. .
There also is a growing trend of
offering therapeutic massage in the workplace. Your employer
may be among those who have learned that massage therapy isn't just
a perk, but actually increases employee productivity and morale.
According to a 1996 survey of
employees who regularly receive therapeutic massage on-site at
Reebok International Ltd., 98 percent said it helped them reduce
work-related stress; 92 percent said it increased alertness,
motivation and productivity; 83 percent said it had in some cases
sufficiently addressed a problem so medical attention was not
necessary; and 66 percent said it had enabled them to stay at work
when they would have otherwise gone home sick.
Health insurance companies and HMOs,
realizing the cost savings of therapeutic massage, are increasingly
covering or reimbursing massage when it is prescribed or provided by
authorized professionals.
(TOP)
What
is therapeutic massage?
Therapeutic massage involves the
manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent
and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress; and, to
promote health and wellness. AMTA defines massage therapy as a
profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and
may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively
affecting the health and well-being of the client.
Massage therapy improves functioning
of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous
systems and may improve the rate at which the body recovers from
injury and illness. Massage involves holding, causing movement
of soft tissue, and/or applying pressure to the body. It comes
in many forms, including:
- Swedish a gentle,
relaxing massage;
- Pressure point therapy
for certain conditions or injuries; and
- Sports massage
which focuses on muscle groups relevant to the particular sport.
(TOP)
How
can massage be medically beneficial?
People find that therapeutic massage
can help with a wide range of medical conditions, including:
- allergies
- anxiety
- arthritis (both osteoarthritis and
rheumatoid arthritis)
- asthma and bronchitis
- carpal tunnel syndrome
- chronic and temporary pain
- circulatory problems
- depression
- digestive disorders, including
spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea
- headache, especially when due to
muscle tension
- insomnia
- myofascial pain (a condition of
the tissue connecting the muscles)]
- reduced range of motion
- sinusitis
- sports injuries, including pulled
or strained muscles and sprained ligaments
- stress
- temporomandibular joint
dysfunction (TMJ)
Although massage therapy does not
increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles
and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and
inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It also can
hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury.
Therapeutic massage can be
inappropriate in some cases, such as in people with:
- inflammation of the veins
(phlebitis)
- infectious diseases
- certain forms of cancer
- some skin conditions
- some cardiac problems
If you have one of these or some
other diagnosed medical condition, always check with your doctor
before seeking a massage.
(TOP)
What
does research show about massage therapy?
Research on the effects of massage
therapy has been ongoing for more than 120 years. A surge in
research over the past 20 years has resulted in more than 100
published studies.
At the University of Miami School of
Medicine's Touch Research Institute, 55 studies on touch, the
majority on massage therapy ‹ have been published or are under
way. And, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) ‹ the
government agency that oversees and conducts medical research in the
United States, opened an Office of Alternative Medicine in 1992,
which has funded several studies on the benefits of massage.
More research is under way.
Among research findings so far:
- Office workers massaged regularly
were more alert, performed better and were less stressed than
those who weren't massaged.
- Massage therapy decreased the
effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in
burn patients.
- Abdominal surgery patients
recovered more quickly after massage.
- Premature infants who were
massaged gained more weight and fared better than those who
weren't.
- Autistic children showed less
erratic behavior after massage therapy.
(TOP)
What
is the cost of massage therapy and will my insurance cover it?
"Massage is to the
human body what a tune-up is to a car. It provides a
physical and mental boost to the weary, sore, and
stressed..."
-- Chicago Tribune, April 6, 1995
While cost depends on the locality,
type and length of the massage and the experience of the therapist,
fees generally start from $45 an hour to $85 an hour..
Insurance providers continue to
recognize the advantages of massage therapy and coverage is
increasing, particularly in the 25 states and the District of
Columbia where massage therapists are licensed by state regulatory
bodies. Generally, therapeutic massage is covered or
reimbursable when it is given by an authorized healthcare
provider. Some states are considering legislation which would
require insurance companies to cover "treatments" by
licensed, alternative medicine providers, including massage
therapists.
(TOP)
What
can you expect?
The first appointment generally
begins with the massage therapist asking what prompted you to get a
massage, your current physical condition, medical history,
lifestyle, stress level, and painful areas. The massage therapist
may ask you about your health goals and what you hope the massage
will do to help you achieve those goals.
Some massages, such as those on-site
at your place of business, are done while you are fully
clothed. For a full-body massage you will be asked to remove
clothing to your level of comfort. Undressing takes place in
private, and a sheet, towel or gown is provided for draping.
The therapist will undrape only the part of your body being
massaged, insuring that modesty is respected at all
times. Your massage will take place in a comfortable
atmosphere and on a padded table. You should expect a
peaceful, relaxing experience.
(TOP)
Glossary
of Terms
Crania-Sacral is a
technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances
or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual
dysfunction.
Deep Tissue,
releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow
strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either
following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and
fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on
the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Reflexology (zone
therapy) is organized around a system of points on the hands and
feet that are thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all
areas of the body. Though the massage is specific to an area, it is
intended to affect the whole body.
Shiatsu and Acupressure
are systems of finger-pressure massage, based on Oriental healing
concepts, which treat special points along "meridians,"
the invisible channels of energy flow in the body. Energy
blocked along these meridians can cause physical discomfort, so the
aim is to release the blockage and re-balance the energy flow. They
can be used for the full body or for specific areas of the body.
Sports Massage Therapy
is classified into three main categories: maintenance, event and
rehabilitation. Maintenance massage is a regular program of massage
to help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free
training. Event massage takes place before, during and/or
after competition to supplement an athlete�s warm-up,
readying the athlete for top performance, and/or to reduce the
muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occurs with vigorous
exercise. Such techniques enhance the body�s
recovery process, improving the athletes return to high-level
training and competition, and reducing the risk of injury.
Rehabilitation massage techniques are effective in the management of
both acute and chronic injuries.
Swedish Massage uses
a system of long strokes, kneading, and friction percussive and
vibration techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles,
combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It
is used primarily for full-body sessions and promotes general
relaxation, improves blood circulation and range of motion, and
relieves muscle tension. Swedish is the most common type of
massage.
Trigger Point Therapy
(a.k.a. Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) applies concentrated
finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated
areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.
(TOP)
Physical
Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Helps relieve stress and aids
relaxation
- Helps relieve muscle tension and
stiffness
- Fosters faster healing of strained
muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling;
reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
- Reduces muscle spasms
- Provides greater joint flexibility
and range of motion
- Enhances athletic performance
- Promotes deeper and easier
breathing
- Improves circulation of blood and
movement of lymph fluids
- Reduces blood pressure
- Helps relieve tension-related
headaches and effects of eye-strain
- Enhances the health and
nourishment of skin
- Improves posture
- Strengthens the immune system
(TOP)
Massage
Therapy and Well-Being: Mental Benefits
- Fosters peace of mind
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental
alertness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress
signals and respond appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm
thinking and creativity
- Emotional Benefits
- Satisfies needs for caring
nurturing touch
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Increases awareness of mind-body
connection
(TOP)
[Schedule
your appointment today] You will be so glad you did!
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