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Massage

(All about massage and what a massage therapist does!)

Also see; Aromatherapy Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage & Traditional Thai Massage

Massage is the practice of applying structured, graded pressure, tension, motion or rhythmic force - by the hands to the tissues of the body, such as; muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints and lymphatic vessels, to achieve a beneficial response. Massage is one of the oldest forms of healing/ therapy and can be applied to parts or the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it is called "therapeutic massage therapy" and comes in a variety of forms, including Acupressure Massage (Shiatsu), Aromatherapy Massage, Indian Head Massage, Remedial Massage, Sports Massage & Traditional Thai Massage.

Everyone enjoys a good massage. From babies to the elderly, from sportsmen and women (sport massage) to friends and lovers, all can benefit from this powerful form of communication. An effective aid to relaxation, massage therapy helps to smooth away stress, 'unknotting' tense and aching muscles, relieving headaches and helping sleep problems. But massage therapy can also be invigorating; it improves the functioning of many of the body’s systems, promoting healing and toning muscles, leaving you with a feeling of renewed energy.

Massage is also one of the best ways to treat many of our commonest modern-day aliments. Problems such as stress, lack of energy, repetitive strain injury, sleeplessness, fatigue, PMT, cellulite, back ache, tummy ache and in fact any pains or aches in the body, feel instantly better after a good massage.

The word massage is most likely to have emerged from the Greek word 'Massein', meaning 'to knead' or the Arabic word 'mas'h' meaning 'to press softly'. Massage is the oldest form of physical medicine known to man and can be traced back to the early Chinese medical manuscripts around 400BC. Massage was advocated by Hippocrates who was born in the fifth century and was known as 'the father of medicine'. It was widely used and written of in Roman times with history recording how Julius Caesar received massage to relieve neuralgia!

MASSAGE IS THE QUICKEST, SUREST WAY TO CREATE A SENSE OF WELL BEING

 EFFECTS OF MASSAGE

Massage can stimulate and relax the body and the mind. The skin, blood and lymphatic systems are stimulated, which boosts circulation, aids cellular renewal and removes toxic wastes. As tense muscles relax, stiff joints loosen and nerves are soothed, an all over feeling of relaxation and well-being comes about.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Flexibility

Massage helps to increase flexibility, restoring full range of movement to joints. Posture improves as well. Once you have regained this flexibility, regular massage will help to maintain it.

Faster Recovery

Massage helps remove waste products from the muscles by increasing venous return. The arterial supply also increases, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, helping to repair damaged tissue.

Relief from Long-Term Problems

Muscle problems may be present for months before you feel discomfort. For example, long periods in front of a computer can cause a build-up of scar tissue, leading to shoulder and neck pain. Massage plus corrective exercises can help considerably.

Prompt Attention to Injuries

Minor injury to muscles can occur without your noticing. Regular massage means that they can be identified and treated promptly, preventing them from becoming more significant.

Massage can bring tremendous benefits to everyone physically and mentally…remember that the power of touch is immeasurable.

How does it work?

Massage is simply the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body - the muscles, tendons and ligaments. A massage therapist's hands are his most important tool through which he not only treats the patient but also detects physical and emotional problems. The massage therapist palpates the patient's body to determine the condition of the tissues and the likely source of any pain, and thus the correct form of remedial treatment.

What does treatment involve?

Each massage session will last 60-90 minutes, and will take place in a quiet room on a massage table. The patient will lie down undressed and the therapist will cover the parts of the body not being worked on with towels. Therapy will often start with the feet or with light stroking on the back to introduce you to the touch and for relaxation. The therapist will use essential oils professionally blended for the individual, with a carrier oil to form the massage oil and will work methodically around the whole body. The number of appointments required will depend upon the seriousness of the health problem. You can remain fully clothed for massage if wished.

FACTS

Massage and high blood pressure:

Relaxation massage has been shown to help reduce blood pressure by as much as 20 points. (2) One nurse who measured a patient's blood pressure before and after a half hour massage, confirmed that blood pressure nearly always falls. In some cases the reduction was quite dramatic, for example, from 180 over 130 to 140 over 110 nmHg.(3) 

Massage improves the blood circulation in several ways without putting additional strain on the heart. It helps the flow of blood through the veins and also stimulates the nerves which control the blood vessels. It has the added benefit of relaxing tense muscles and tight connective tissues which may have been constricting blood vessels and thus enable blood to flow more freely. It is for this reason that soothing massage helps reduce emotional tension; it induces relaxation and calms stress-related cardio-vascular conditions.

Massage therapy and stress management.

The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating and -even despondent state, becomes after massage, calm, quiet, peaceful and subdued; in fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed.

Dr Stretch Dowse, Eminent Victorian Physician, 1887.

Stress is a subject about which the general public is becoming increasingly aware. It seems that every day a new study is reported in the press or medical journals relating stress to one disease or another. Some physicians suggest that stress may be responsible for 75 per cent of all diseases in the Western world including skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis and eczema), headaches and migraine, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and heart-related diseases, as well as back-ache and muscle pain, poor eyesight and depression.

As the world in which we live becomes increasingly stressful both physically and emotionally we are left with two choices; either we avoid stress, or we learn how to deal with it effectively. It is, of course, impossible to avoid stress, and therefore the only real solution is to find ways to manage the stresses and strains we encounter each day. One way is the use of massage therapy.

 More information on ailments and massage therapy:

http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Therapies/MassageTherapy-Research.htm#Massage therapy and stress management

OTHER POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

Physical

• Reduction in muscle tension and stiffness
• Relieves low back ache
• Eases over-worked, 'pulled' or strained muscles
• Reduces pain and swelling
• Reduces the formation of excessive scar tissue
• Relieves muscle spasms
• Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
• Enhances athletic performance; Encourages healing after injuries caused during sport or workouts
• Promotes deeper, effective and easier breathing
• Stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids
• Relieves discomfort, pains & aches during pregnancy
• Reduces high blood pressure ( hypertension )
• Helps relieve tension headaches
• Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
• Improves muscle tone, leading to better posture
• Supports and strengthens the immune system
• Treats musculoskeletal problems
• Aids 'post operative' rehabilitation & recovery
• Aids rehabilitation after sports or other physical injury or trauma

    Psychological

• Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
• Reduces levels of anxiety i.e. following emotional trauma
• Relieves insomnia & restlessness
• Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
• Fosters a feeling of well-being
• Encourages body awareness and increases awareness of mind-body connection

Massage for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy Massage

Stress reduction and relaxation: Pregnancy is often a time of intense emotion and change. It can also bring physical and emotional stress and a whole host of bodily changes even in normal pregnancies. Many are caused by hormonal changes due to increased production of oestrogen and progesterone. Nausea, food cravings, oedema (swelling), sleeplessness and circulation problems are very typical. Research shows that stress has many adverse effects pre and postnatal, including a higher incidence of miscarriage, prolonged labours with more complications, low birth weight and infant irritability. Unsurprisingly, learning how to relax is an integral part of most childbirth education programmes and prenatal classes. The lasting benefits of massage in stress reduction are well documented; experts recommend that women practise deep, sustained levels of relaxation for 45-60 minutes per day, especially in the last 6-8 weeks of pregnancy- the exact length of most massage sessions.

 Circulatory benefits: To provide for the needs of the unborn child, the mother's circulatory system has to undergo some profound changes. These can result in discomfort such as oedema, varicose veins and high blood pressure, all of which often respond well to appropriate massage therapy.

 Respiratory benefits: Most expectant mothers tend to feel short of breath due to the growing uterus restricting the diaphragm. Massage can assist in more efficient breathing and relieve musculo-skeletal pain on neck, chest and upper back.

 Pain relief and reduction of musculo-skeletal strain:  Musculo-skeletal pain and strain is an almost inevitable consequence of pregnancy, massage therapists with the appropriate skills can help to relieve or in some cases alleviate this entirely. Back pain is extremely common on pregnancy and up to 56% of women report their first incidence of chronic back pain during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester. This can be effectively treated with the appropriate massage techniques.

OTHER BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.

By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.

Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.

Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.

Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.

Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, oedema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.

Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and foetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.

Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.

Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.

It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.

Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.

Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.

 Women who should not have massage are those women with known hypertension, known pregnancy-induced hypertension, diagnosed pre-eclampsia, and those with a great deal of swelling in their lower extremities. They should consult their GP first

 More research on massage and pregnancy on: http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Therapies/MassageTherapy-Research.htm#Massage%20&%20Pregnancy

 The use of essential oils can be used depending of each circumstance. A patient with a history of miscarriage or bleeding or with any other complication in this pregnancy or previous ones should not be treated with essential oils.

 Pregnancy is not an illness, it is a natural cycle of  a women's life that is often misunderstood. Massage can help connecting with your unborn child in a much deeper level. Do not feel isolated and enjoy the pleasures of touch!!!

Further Note on Massage

We provide a comprehensive range of massage therapy at the Holistic Centre, be it aromatherapy massage, holistic massage, pregnancy massage, sports massage or remedial massage - all by qualified and professionally registered local Merseyside, Cheshire & Wirral massage therapists. Professional therapeutic massage is provided only - no cranks calls please!

Massage Therapy Links