|
what is it?
Therapeutic massage aims to induce physical and mental relaxation and promote well-being by stroking, kneading or pressing the soft tissues of the body. Cultures all over the world and throughout the centuries have used massage to relieve pain and anxiety and to stimulate circulation and tonify body systems. There are many different types of massage, from gentle manual lymph drainage to Swedish techniques and deep-tissue rolfing and Chinese tuina. Aromatherapists and reflexologists are among complementary therapy practitioners who make use of massage techniques.
The skin is the body's largest sensory organ and touch is said to be the first of the senses that we experience. In the dermis, or second layer of skin, are thousands of specialised receptors that react to stimulations such as pressure, cold and heat by sending messages to the brain via the nervous system. Brain centres respond by releasing chemicals that affect mood and physiological processes.
Although massage is increasingly popular in the West, the degree of touch and nakedness involved made it suspect for many years among people who associated it with sexual intimacy and 'massage parlours'. But the therapeutic benefits of physiotherapy, developed from gymnast Per Henrik Ling's 'Swedish movement treatment' in the early 19th century, gave it respectability. Far from being considered self-indulgent, massage's soothing effects have encouraged its use in NHS hospices and hospitals, particularly among the elderly, cancer and AIDS patients and those recovering from stroke and heart attacks.
Privately, massage therapy is widely available in health and beauty centres and sports clubs. Practitioners will come to your home or workplace for on-site neck and shoulder massage.
what it's supposed to do
Gentle massage induces relaxation and a sense of well-being by stimulating nerve endings in the skin that trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural opiates or 'feelgood' chemicals and inhibiting stress hormones. Stronger massage acts on circulation to supply more oxygen and nutrients to tissues and improve skin tone, and stimulates the lymphatic system which carries away waste products that can cause pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.
Massage can remind stressed people what physical and mental relaxation feels like. It is recommended to relieve pain and anxiety, for stress-related conditions such as insomnia and headaches, muscle and joint disorders such as arthritis and back pain, high blood pressure, digestive disorders such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
what happens
This depends on what kind of massage therapy you are having. But the initial session should include brief questions about your medical history, lifestyle and general state of health.
classical Swedish massage
Based on Ling's techniques, this is the most widely used technique by Western massage therapists and aromatherapists. It is usually given on a special table and lasts from 30 minutes for back and shoulders to 60-90 minutes for a full body massage. Expect to undress, although you can keep on your underpants if you prefer. The practitioner will place a towel over the parts that are not being massaged, for warmth as well as modesty. A light vegetable oil or talcum powder helps the therapist's hands glide over your skin.
If you're having an aromatherapy massage, a few drops of essential plant oil are added to the carrier oil. The most common techniques include effleurage, a light, firm and gentle stroking; petrissage, a firm kneading and rolling of the tissues; frottage, deep direct pressure to release muscle tension; and tapotement, hacking, tapping and clapping over the muscles and fleshy parts of the body.
deep tissue massage
This is stronger than Swedish massage, using slow, intense strokes and deep finger pressure or friction to ease stiff muscles.
sports massage
A combination of Swedish and deep tissue massage movements to relieve muscle tension, treat sports-related injuries and improve performance.
manual lymph drainage
MLD works with gentle, light, rhythmic strokes to expel toxins and drain excess fluid from the lymphatic ducts. It's done on bare skin, without oil.
hellerwork and rolfing
Hellerwork and rolfing, developed in the US, are similar forms of extremely deep tissue massage to re-align the body and improve posture. You wear light clothing and treatment, which is carried out without oil, includes instruction on movement and breathing.
Eastern massage
This massage uses differing degrees of pressure to stimulate the acupoints, key points on the energy channels (meridians) that run throughout the body. The most commonly encountered forms in the West are the Japanese shiatsu, acupressure (a no-needle form of acupuncture) and tuina, a vigorous traditional chinese massage used with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to balance the flow of chi, or 'vital energy'. Tuina is carried out fully clothed on a chair or couch. Instead of using the flat of the hand, the therapist pushes and twists your flesh with the fingers, palms and knuckles.
Marma massage
Marma massage is part of ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India and Sri Lanka. Therapists stimulate marma points on the body to encourage the flow of vital energy known as prana and bring about physical and mental well-being.
Thai massage
This combines elements of Chinese and ayurvedic massage and tends to be a vigorous experience.
what's the evidence?
Researchers at the Touch Research Institute, University of Miami, Florida, have found that massage can reduce anxiety and depression, relieve back and muscle pain, lower high blood pressure, ease PMS symptoms, re-invigorate office workers, and increase levels of natural killer cells that boost the immune system. Trials at the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, showed massage could reduce anxiety and improve the quality of life in cancer patients.
precautions
Go to the safety first section of 'before you start' for some general precautions to take into account when considering a complementary therapy.
- Massage of the abdomen should be avoided in the first three months of pregnancy.
- Do not massage bruises, fractures or skin infections.
- Consult a doctor before having a massage if you have phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins, acute back pain, cancer, a personality disorder, psychotic illness or any undiagnosed pain, lumps or bumps.
- Remember that not everybody enjoys massage. Don't continue if you feel uncomfortable for any reason.
- If you have a serious ailment, avoid massage in a 'health and beauty' context.
- Be wary of advertisements with phrases like 'exclusive services' or 'executive massage'.
how to find a practitioner
This depends on the kind of massage you want. The British Massage Therapy Council, an umbrella body representing massage therapy schools and associations, has set minimum educational and training standards and instituted a code of ethics and complaints procedures. Members include representatives of all forms of massage, including Eastern massage techniques. Otherwise, if looking for Chinese or Ayurvedic massage, contact the British acupuncture Council, the Ayurvedic Medical Association UK or the Ayurvedic Company of Great Britain. The Shiatsu Society maintains a register of members who have completed a recognised training course.
Massage therapy is an unregulated profession and anyone can call themselves a massage therapist or set up a training school or college.
» help and info
If you have further questions, why not search the extensive bank of answers provided by our trained advisors? Check out just ask.
For details of other organisations, websites and publications go to our get help directory.
(July 2002)
|
