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Massage Therapy

What is Massage Therapy?

The term "massage" is thought to have originated from the Greek word "massein," meaning "to knead," or the Arabic word "mas'h," meaning "to stroke/press softly". Massage is a form of touch therapy that includes the use of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body. These techniques include stroking, kneading, pressing, tapping, vibration, and compressing different areas of the body to releve pain, and to relax, tone, and stimulate the body.

Massage is one of the oldest and simplest forms of therapy. Practiced by the Chinese, Hindus, Persians, Egyptions and Greeks, information was recorded by Hippocrates recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.

Massage stimulates the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) to improve muscle tone. It also stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems, improving the elimination of toxins and waste throughout the body. Although it largely affects those muscles just under the skin, its benefits may also reach the deeper layers of muscle and the organs themselves.

Today, massage is used on people of all ages, from babies, to pregnant women, to the elderly, and even animals (see our Animal Therapy section). Massage therapy is often integrated into many physical rehabilitation programs, and has been proven beneficial for many chronic conditions.

Some of the benefits of massage include:

- easing of tension, stiffness, and pain
- improvement of circulation
- stress and tension relief
- low back pain
- arthritis
- bursitis
- fatigue
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- immunity suppression

Massage has become increasingly popular, not only for the pleasurable and relaxing sensations experienced, but as a method of dealing with stress, anxiety and tension.

The effects of massage are cumulative and a course of massage treatments will bring the most benefits. Regular massage can have the effect of strengthening and toning the entire body, helping to prevent strains and injuries that may otherwise occur due to excessive tension.

There are many different massage methods and variations, most of which use or incorporate a combination of well known massage strokes and techniques. Massage therapists will often combine different methods, depending on the needs of the client. Depending on the method used, massage can be practiced using gentle, slow movements, or can be brisk and invigorating:

The more commonly known methods can be classed as either Western or Eastern in origin, with a key principle of Eastern methods aimed at restoring the vital energy flow through the energy meridians (channels) of the body:

Western Massage Methods:
Swedish massage, deep tissue (sports therapy) massage, trigger point massage

Eastern Massage Methods:
Shiatsu, Acupressure, Thai Massage, Tui Na

Some massage methods involved the the use of oils and lotions to reduce friction on the skin. Shiatsu, for example, is an exception where the client wears loose, comfortable clothing.

Because toxins and other waste products are released during a massage, it is important to drink plenty of water to help eliminate flush them from the body.

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