The origins of massage Massage therapy was central to Chinese medicine as far back as 1600 B.C. and
ancient Egyptians used it to treat disease. Today therapeutic massage is found
in many cultures as an integral part of health care and maintenance. Massage
therapy includes a number of disciplines that share the use of pressure,
friction, and strain upon the muscles and joints of the body for therapeutic or
positive physical responses. Several categories of massage are identified below:
 | Massage for preventive general health |
| Massage for relaxation |
| Massage for pampering or beautification |
| Sports massage |
| Massage for pain relief |
| Rehabilitative massage (for recovery from physical injury) |
| Massage used in combination with medical or chiropractic treatment |
| Massage for personal psychological transformation |
As bodywork gains respect in professional circles, massage therapy’s practical application for a healthier lifestyle also gains popular interest and acceptance. Massage therapy can relieve stress, headaches, backaches, anxiety, fatigue, and sleeplessness. However, bodywork is not only a relief to physical ailments associated with injury or stress, but it can also add balance to one’s life.
What is bodywork? What is massage and how do they differ?
The term bodywork is often used to refer to therapies that are often combined and confused with massage, e.g. Shiatsu, Trager, Rolfing, Polarity, and Reflexology.
Bodywork is a deep exploration of not just one’s physical well being, but one’s emotional well being as well. Proper bodywork can make a person feel alive and more sensitive to the things around them.
Types of massage
The Swedish massage is the most traditional form of massage therapy in the U.S. It was originally developed in the late eighteenth century by a Swedish fencing master as the first systematic application of therapeutic massage in the West. The primary goals of the Swedish massage are:
| To speed the venous return of unoxygenated and toxic blood from the extremities. |
| To shorten recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. |
| To stretch the ligaments and tendons, keeping them supple and young. |
| To stimulate the skin and nervous system and to soothe the nerves. |
| To reduce emotional and physical stress. |
| To serve a clinical use in medical or corrective therapy. |
Shiatsu is based on the Chinese theory of the circulation of subtle energy or Chi, which ultimately controls the internal organs and our entire metabolism. Although the foundation of this massage is deep pressure exerted upon specific localized points, Shiatsu also includes a wide variety of stretches, rubbing, hacking, and other common massage techniques. It is a somewhat subtler form of massage therapy since it deals with a higher level of body mechanics rather than just the physical anatomy such as bones, joints, and muscles. Shiatsu can be used as a complete system of health maintenance, or simply for stress reduction, relaxation, and a general improvement of feeling. Unlike the Swedish massage, Shiatsu requires the recipient’s participation with the therapist in coordinating breathing techniques with body manipulations.
Sports massage
is a blend of traditional Swedish massage and Shiatsu. This system relies on the fact that there are twelve principle body postures that form the axis of all athletic movement. Each sport demands that the player attains specific postures; therefore each sport tends to strain the muscles at certain predictable points. Sports massage can help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak action and to maintain a higher level of performance with less risk of injury.Medical massage can be used to prevent muscle deterioration in cases of broken bones, to reduce inflammation in strains and sprains, and to increase circulation. Although massage can create positive changes in many ailments, there are circumstances where massage can be harmful. For example, if you suffer from a heart condition you should consult with your physician or a trained therapist prior to having a massage to discuss any risks.
Some massage techniques
|
Long strokes |
|
Local short strokes |
|
Circles |
|
Back and forth |
|
Pointed pressure |
|
Against the muscle fibers (cross fiber), especially the tendons |
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Superficial strokes |
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Insubstantial strokes (nerve strokes) |
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Pinching or pulling |
|
Tapping |
What is Rolfing?
Rolfing is a system of body manipulation developed by Ida P. Rolf, a Ph.D. in biochemistry. As a form of deep-tissue massage, Rolfers work on the fascia of the body. Fascia surrounds every cell and every cell group and gives organs their form. The fascia around muscles, organs, and bones should have a slippery quality to it, allowing muscles to have their full range of motion and bones and joints to be fully flexible. Rolfers believe that the shape of the body reflects how well it is operating and how balanced it is with the field of gravity. The goal of Rolfing is to bring the various segments of the body (head, neck, torso, pelvis, legs, and feet) into balanced and supportive relationships with one another.
The Rolfer uses his or her hands to stretch shortened connective tissues back to their normal length and consistency. According to Rod Buckner, a trained specialist in the Rolfing technique, when connective tissues are healthier and have appropriate levels of tone, certain physiological improvements will occur. Fluids will flow more easily, nerve impulses will be conducted more smoothly, breathing will be easier, and recipient will experience less stress. Recipients will benefit the most from Rolfing when they engage in an exercise program, maintain a healthy diet, and increase fluid intake. Buckner warns that some people may experience some initial discomfort during the first session because tissue that has decreased circulation, slow fluid exchange, or nerve and muscle weakness may hurt to the touch.
What to expect during a massage
Relaxation is an essential element of massage because it allows muscle tissue to move from a contracted position to an extended or relaxed state. Only in the relaxed position is it possible to nourish muscle tissue with blood. The body’s need for healthy energy can be satisfied by deep breathing which causes a more rapid breakdown of the chemicals in the blood that nourish muscle tissue.
Generally, a massage can last from 20 minutes to two hours depending on the specific area needing attention. In all cases, you can expect a trained therapist to provide a non-sexual massage with the option to be fully or partially undressed on the massage table. You should discuss the treatment with the provider prior to the actual massage, so you know what to expect. Because the cost of a massage can range from $30-$100, you may also want to discuss the costs involved prior to committing to the service.
Benefits of massage
Massage is just not for people who can’t handle their pain or for people who feel the need to be pampered. Massage therapy relieves stress, headaches, backaches, anxiety, fatigue, and sleeplessness, and muscle or joint soreness associated with in medical rehabilitation. Massage is very therapeutic and even though it has numerous physical benefits, there are also psychological benefits as well. The Mayo Clinic states that "massage relieves stress and can improve your state of mind and it fulfills a universal human need for touch." So massage is not only the answer to an aching back, it can change your life for the better.
Sources: http://www.intergrativemedicalarts.com
Center for Therapeutic Massage and Acupuncture
74 Sunset Hill Road
Bethel, CT 06801
Phone: 203/778-8292