About Massage
History
“Massage is believed to be one of the oldest forms of medical care, dating back to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Its vital role in healthcare was universal. In 2700 BC, a Chinese book of internal medicine recommended “ the massage of skin and flesh”. More than two thousand years later, Hippocrates—the father of modern medicine– wrote that “the physician must be acquainted with many things and assuredly with rubbing” (ancient Greek word for massage)”. Find out more at the NCBTMB Webisite
Definitions
Massage can be defined as the manipulation of soft tissue—muscles, skin, and tendons– by the use of fingertips, hands, fists and elbows.
Bodywork is described as the manual techniques that involve touch and movement and are used to promote health and healing.
Why Get a Massage?
Many people today receive massage/bodywork to relax, relive chronic tension/soreness, and stress that can result in illness and disease. Along with preventing, maintaining, or improving existing conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, plantar fasciitis, fatigue, and reduction of scar tissue. Massage is an alternative way to heal or repair the body without the use of medicine.
Styles of Massage:
There are many styles of massage in the world today. The styles I provide include the following:
Swedish
Swedish massage is also known as the Western or classic style of massage. It is credited to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics instructor, Per Henrik Ling. It is a scientific system of manipulations on the muscles and connective tissues of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation or health maintenance. Swedish massage therapy is comprised of five basic strokes and their variations: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement (or percussion) and vibration.(3)
- Deep Tissue
Deep tissue massage is also called deep muscle therapy or deep tissue therapy. It is an umbrella term for bodywork systems that work deeply into the muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains.(3)
- Hot/Cold Stone Massage
This type of massage involves the use of hot and cold stones placed on certain areas of the body to help aleviate pain and relax the muscles. The stones, in turn allow the therapist to apply deeper pressure. The warmth of the stones also help improve circulation.(5) To find out More visit About.com. This is truly the ultimate spa experience and will leave you feeling completely relaxed from head to toe. Stone massage will become available in late November.
- Trigger Point
Trigger point massage utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. These trigger points are defined by their referral of pain to distant locations in muscles, connective tissues and organs. Janet Travell, M.D., pioneered trigger point therapy in the United States.(1)
- Orthopedic
This massage integrates different techniques that will help develop functional movement in soft tissue damage and injuries. During this massage, you will asked to participate to ensure the best care is given. Different stretches and exercises may be given to improve the condition even further.
- Myofascial Release
Myo means muscle and fascia, and is the elastic connective tissue wrapped around muscles and other parts of the body. During myofascial release restrictions (stuck areas) are located and gentle sliding pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction to stretch the tissues. The stretching of tissues and the heat imparted by the practitioner's hands are thought to help produce a softer consistency of fascial tissues.(2)
- Sports
Sports massage is applied to athletes to help them train and perform free of pain and injuries. Massage therapists blend classic Swedish strokes with such methods as compression, pressure-point therapy, cross-fiber friction, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy and cryotherapy (ice massage) to meet the special needs of high-level performers and fitness enthusiasts.(2)
- Pregnancy
Pregnancy massage is the massage of pregnant women (prenatal) and women after giving birth (postpartum). It address the special needs of pregnant women such as discomforts in the low back, feet and legs.(1)
- Geriatric
A form of massage involving gentle touch and focusing on the improvement of circulation.
- Kinesiotaping
The Kinesio Taping Method is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while allowing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion. It is used to successfully treat a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and medical conditions. Both Kinesio® Tex Tape and the training protocol have shown results that would have been unheard of using older methods and materials (4). To find out more visit Kinesiotaping.com
References
- 1. Knaster, Mirka. Discovering the Body's Wisdom. Bantam 1996
- 2. Tappan, Frances. Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques. Appleton and Lange. 1998
- 3. Stillerman, Elaine. The Encyclopedia of Bodywork from Acupressure to Zone Therapy. Facts on File. 1996.
- 4. Kase, Kenzo. http://www.kinesiotaping.com/kinesio/about.html, 9/8/2011.
