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Benefits and Principles of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a technique used to prevent a bodily injury, or to rehabilitate one before it worsens into a serious or recurring condition. Before a therapist recommends this type of treatment, he or she conducts research to determine that it is a viable option. The most common problems facing our patients are stress, neck pain resulting from bad posture while sitting in the workplace, inflammation of a tendon in the hands and lower back pain. These problems can be reduced or avoided with regular massages according to our weekly routine. Massage therapy is a great stress reliever and an effective form of treatment for a variety of health ailments.

Note that for safety, massage should be performed by a trained professional. Always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before embarking on any health program. This article is meant to provide general information only, and does not replace a doctor’s medical advice.

Advantages of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has become popular infor releasing tension, relieving pain and improving general physical health. If done correctly, it can stretch your muscles, tendons and ligaments in a relaxing way, and stimulate and sedate the nervous system depending on which method is being used. Its purpose is to aid in the healing of injuries and to ease the effects of illnesses such as arthritis. Massage therapy helps reduce tension, relieve migraine headaches, improve blood circulation and stimulate the lymph system, which in turn helps strengthen the natural defense system that fights toxic invaders. It stimulates skin function, improves muscle tone and flexibility, increases body awareness and mental alertness and helps reduce anxiety.

There are different types of massage therapy that target the back, abdomen, legs and feet, neck and shoulders, face and head, chest, or arms and hands. Special therapies for children, babies and pregnant women also exist.

Basic Principles of Massage

· Using massage oil, stroke the body with variations in depth and length of strokes. However, direct firm strokes towards the heart, as this improves circulation.

· Use long, flowing massage strokes with little pressure to soothe and relax the body. This movement is often used at the start and end of a massage.

· Tapping the skin quickly and slowly (also called tapotement) with your fingers is stimulating and helps to increase blood flow. This is done on small areas such as the neck, forehead, and cheeks.

· Petrissage, (done as if kneading dough) involves squeezing and releasing a muscle or part of a muscle group and is normally done using both hands, particularly on the buttocks and thighs. It helps remove waste products, strengthen muscle fiber, and reduce fatigue.

· Another type of movement is friction, which involves rubbing the hands back and forth across an area and is warming and stimulating to the tissues.

Precautions

Note the following points while doing massage:

Do not massage:

· Any infected area, bruised or broken skin

· A person who is feverish

· An area where varicose veins are present

· An area that shows unusual swelling or inflammation

Before doing a massage:

· Check with the client whether any of the above applies.

· Ensure the room and your hands are warm.