North Dallas Permanent
Cosmetics
Home of
Beauty and Body Work
by
Debbie Santa Barbara
Massage FAQs
What is Therapeutic Massage?
Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation and
movement of the soft tissue while applying pressure to the body to release
tension in the tissue that contributes to pain and discomfort. AMTA defines massage therapy as a
profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply
adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and
well-being of the client.
Massage therapy improves the functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic,
muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems and may improve the rate at which the
body recovers from injury and illness. Massage involves manipulation, causing
movement of soft tissue, and/or applying pressure to the body.
It comes in many
forms, including:
- Swedish
- Trigger point therapy
- Sports massage
- Reflexology
- Neuromuscular Therapy
- Myofacial Release
- Raindrop Technique tm
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
How can Massage be medically beneficial?
People find that therapeutic massage can help with a wide range of medical
conditions, including:
- Allergies
- Anxiety and stress
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Asthma and bronchitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic and temporary pain
- Circulatory problems
- Depression
- Digestive disorders (including spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea)
- Headache, especially when due to muscle tension
- Insomnia
- Myofascial pain ( a condition of the connective tissue of the muscles)
- Reduced range of motion
- Sinusitis
- Sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and sprained
ligaments
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
"Massage therapy is a complementary therapy, not alternative anymore. It's of
tremendous benefit."
--Brad Stuart M.D. Hospice Medical Director for the Visiting
Nurse Association & Hospice of Northern California
Although massage therapy does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate
weak, inactive muscles and; thus, partially compensate for the lack of
exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It also can hasten and
lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury.
Therapeutic massage by not be recommended in some cases, such as in people
with:
- inflammation of the veins (phlebitis)
- infectious diseases
- certain forms of cancer
- some skin conditions
- some cardiac problems
If you have one of these or some other diagnosed medical condition, always
check with your doctor before seeking a massage.
What does research show about massage therapy?
Among research finding so far:
- Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better and
were less stressed than those who weren't massaged.
- Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression,
pain, and itching in burn patients.
- Abdominal surgery patients recovered more quickly after massage
- Premature infants who were massaged gained more weight and fared better
than those who weren't
- Autistic children showed less erratic behavior after massage therapy.
*Massage therapy is beneficial for almost all diseases. Eighty percent of
disease is stress-related, and massage reduces stress."
--Sandra McLanahan,
M.D. Family Practitioner, Buckingham, VA.
"Massage is to the body what a tune-up is to a car. It provides a physical
and mental boost to the weary, sort, and stressed..."
-Chicago Tribune,
April 6, 1995
Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Lessens inflammation of the joints and relieves pain
- Stretches connective tissues and reduces formation of adhesions
- Increases excretion of fluid from the kidneys
- Increases the number of red blood cells
- Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
- Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
- Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces
pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
- Reduces muscle spasms
- Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
- Enhances athletic performance
- Promotes deeper and easier breathing
- Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
- Reduces blood pressure
- Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
- Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
- Improves posture
- Relieves congestion throughout the body
- Can act as a sedaitive
Massage Therapy and Well-Being : Mental Benefits
- Fosters peace of mind
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
- Satisfies needs for caring - nurturing touch
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Increases awareness of mind-body connection
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