Massage, therapeutic massage, or massage therapy all refer to a wide variety of hands-on treatments. Massage is performed for many different purposes, in many different ways, and can cause many different effects. Massage is often used for pain relief, but is increasingly used by people for health enhancement and wellness. Medical massage is prescribed by naturopathic, chiropractic, and medical physicians for specific therapeutic purposes such as lymphatic drainage in cancer patients (www.cancerbackup.org.uk) or in recovery from surgery (www.bio-medicine.org).
Massage techniques
All massage is the application of varying degrees of pressure usually with the therapist’s hands to muscles, tendons, joints, vessels, and other anatomical structures. Massage techniques are often described as effleurage (light stroking), petrissage (firmer pressure directed to deeper layers of connective tissue and muscle) and tapotement (rhythmic percussion or tapping).
More about massage therapy techniques here…Massage Techniques
Message therapy in history
Like many CAM treatments, massage therapy has been practiced throughout history. Cave paintings in Europe dating from 15,000 years BC are thought to show hands-on treatment. The earliest recorded history of massage to treat diseases comes from China over 5, 000 years ago. Massage therapy continues to provide improvement in health and wellness for millions of patients worldwide.
More on massage therapy history here…www.massagemag.com
Massage therapy professionals
Many health care professionals perform massage including nurses, physical therapists, chiropractic and naturopathic physicians, and acupuncturists. Most states regulate massage therapists who specialize in massage treatments. State regulation helps to assure the public that the therapist is fully trained and has the qualifications and competence to perform massage effectively and safely.
More about massage therapy regulation here…www.amtamassage.org
Massage therapy for serious medical conditions
Research has shown massage to be beneficial for a number of serious medical conditions such as breast cancer, open heart surgery, and high blood pressure.
More information can be found at…www.amtamassage.org