Massage Therapy

  

What is Massage Therapy?

 

Massage therapy is the assessment and treatment of the soft tissues of the body.  Therapeutic massage is used to promote health.  It does this by improving the function of the body and relieving pain.  Restoring function to the body can also help to prevent health problems in the future. 

 

Massage therapy can be effective in the treatment of many different conditions when used alone, or in conjunction with other medical, pharmaceutical or physical modalities.  Massage therapy can promote relaxation and reduce stress. People of all ages and from all walks of life (infants, seniors, sports enthusiasts, office workers) can benefit from the healing touch of massage therapy.

 

Massage therapy encompasses a wide range of different techniques that can affect the circulatory, musculoskeletal, nervous, and respiratory systems.  It can include the use of hydrotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, instruction in proper breathing, and the assessment and correction of posture.

 

 

What are the Benefits of Massage Therapy?

 

Two of the greatest physiological changes produced by massage therapy are an increase in blood circulation and an increase in lymphatic fluid circulation.  The increased circulation of these two vital bodily fluids helps the body.

Increased blood circulation will bring about reduction of swelling (edema); faster healing (better delivery of nutrition to cells and removal of cellular debris); lowered heart rate and blood pressure (increased volume of blood) and enhanced overall health (smooth delivery of the body chemical messengers, nutrition and removal of debris to and from all organs).


The lymphatic system is essentially the immune system, containing white cells, killer and T cells, among other guardian and soldier cells.  Massage can increase the effectiveness of the immune system by increasing the distribution of lymphatic fluid.

 
Massage therapists deal with the injury of soft tissues, either from trauma (e.g. accidents or surgery) or repetitive strain (e.g. poor posture, poor ergonomic design of tools and furniture).  A massage therapist can physically stretch muscles, inhibit muscle spasm, increase the range of motion of joints and help break down scar tissue.   A massage therapist is trained to assess and treat most soft tissues of the human body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and other connective tissue).

Once a pattern of muscle dysfunction is assessed and treated, a massage therapist will provide advice and tools such as specific exercises and stretches to lessen or eliminate the soft tissue problem.

Massage therapy is used for stress relief.  When emotional stress is reduced, the body reduces the production of damaging stress chemicals.  Physical touch and massage techniques can settle an overworked mind and leave a person relaxed and centred.  The caring touch of a massage therapist can be an effective treatment of physical and emotional pain.

Some people use massage therapy for health restoration.  Other people use massage therapy for long-term body and health maintenance.  How you choose to benefit from massage therapy is always up to you.