Who doesn’t enjoy a good massage? Massage therapy are systems of structured palpitation or movement of soft tissue on the body. There are over 250 methods of massage using various techniques such as stroking, kneading, gliding, etc. These techniques may be applied with or without oils, salt or herbal preparations, heat or water. The purpose of massage is to enhance general health and well-being. Massage does not include diagnosis, prescribing drugs, spinal manipulation or physical therapy outside the scope of massage therapy.
An outgrowth of massage is bodywork, defined as various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement and/or repatterning to affect structural changes to the body. Somatic means of the body and is used to denote a body/mind or whole-body approach, as distinguished from a physiology-only perspective.
Benefits of massage include:
- quicker recovery of preterm babies
- quicker recovery of oncology patients
- reduced pain in muscles
- reduced pain of carpal tunnel syndrome
- reduced chronic back pain
- reduced anxiety
- reduced stress
- reduced irritability
- reduced restlessness
- reduced stiffness
- reduced post surgical pain
- less frequency of headaches
- improved immune system
- improved employee performance
- lower blood pressure
It’s important to note there are some conditions where massage is not recommended. For example, people with certain forms of cancer, some cardiac problems, skin conditions and infectious diseases. Practitioners and consumers are strongly encouraged when there is any doubt to ask about specific health conditions and seek a doctor’s consultation and permission before providing or undergoing services.
To find a practitioner to suit your needs, search ABMP (Associated Bodyworks & Massage Professionals) at http://www.massagetherapy.com/find/index.php.
