Massage

Massage is a hands-on therapy in which muscles and other soft tissues are manipulated, using techniques ranging from gentle stroking and kneading to stronger, deeper pressure. Massage helps to improve health and wellbeing, reduce stress, relieve muscle tension and produce feelings of calmness. Although it affects the body as a whole, it particularly influences the activity of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems. Massage has been practiced as a healing therapy for centuries, in nearly every culture around the world.  

How does massage work

When a practitioner massages muscles and soft tissue, electrical signals are transmitted both to the local area and throughout the body. These signals help heal damaged muscle, stimulate circulation, clear waste products via the lymphatic system, boost the activity of the immune system, reduce pain and tension, and induce a calming effect. They may also create a general sense of wellbeing by stimulating the release of endorphins (natural painkillers and mood elevators) and reducing levels of certain stress hormones.

What are the benefits of massage

In general, massage is believed to support healing, boost energy, reduce recovery time after an injury, ease pain, and enhance relaxation, mood, and wellbeing. It is useful for many musculoskeletal problems, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, sprains, strains and especially chronic back pain, for which clinical studies have found it more effective than other treatments.

Massage may also be used to relieve stress and enhance mental alertness, relieve depression in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, ease chronic constipation, decrease swelling after a mastectomy, alleviate sleep disorders, and improve self-image.

Massage for mothers and babies

Mothers and newborn babies appear to benefit from massage. Mothers trained to massage their infants often feel less postnatal depression and develop a better emotional bond with their babies. Newborns who receive massage from their mothers tend to cry less, and are more active, alert, and sociable. Premature babies who receive massage therapy have been shown to gain weight faster than those who do not receive this type of therapy. Infants who receive massage regularly may also sleep better, be less gassy or colicky, and have better body awareness as well as more regular digestion.

Massage for specific health problems

Clinical studies have shown that massage may also be an effective treatment for young children and adolescents with a wide range of health problems, including the following:

Autism: Autistic children, who usually don't like being touched, show less autistic behaviour and are more social and attentive after receiving massage therapy from their parents.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Children with this scaly, itchy skin problem seem to experience less redness, scaling, and other symptoms if receiving massage between flare-ups. But massage should not be used when this skin is actively inflamed.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Massage may soothe the mood of children with ADHD and help them to feel less fidgety and hyperactive.

Bulimia: Studies have shown that adolescents with this eating disorder feel less depressed and anxious after receiving massage therapy.

Cystic fibrosis: Massage may reduce anxiety and improve respiration in children with this lung condition.

Diabetes: Massage may help to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce anxiety and depression.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) have been shown to experience less pain, morning stiffness and anxiety after receiving massage therapy.

What types of massage are available

There are nearly 100 different techniques, each of which has been uniquely designed to achieve a specific goal. The most common types include:

Aromatherapy massage: Essential oils from plants are massaged into the skin to enhance the healing and relaxing effects of massage. Essential oils are believed to have a powerful effect on mood.

Craniosacral massage: Gentle pressure is applied to the head and spine to correct imbalances and restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in these areas.

Lymphatic massage: Light, rhythmic strokes are used to improve the flow of lymph fluid (which helps to fight infection and disease) throughout the body. One of the most popular forms is manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), which focuses on draining excess lymph fluid and is commonly used to reduce swelling after surgery (such as a mastectomy).

Myofascial release: Gentle pressure and body positioning are used to relax and stretch the muscles, fascia (connective tissue) and related structures.

On-site chair massage: On-site massage therapists use a portable chair to deliver brief upper body massages to fully clothed people in offices and other locations.

Polarity therapy: This is a form of energy healing that stimulates and balances the flow of energy within the body to enhance health and wellbeing.

Reflexology: Specialised thumb and finger techniques are applied to the hands and feet. Reflexologists believe that these areas contain reflex points that directly connect to specific organs and structures throughout the body.

Rolfing: Pressure is applied to fascia (connective tissue) to stretch it, lengthen it, and make it more flexible. The objective is to realign the body so that it conserves energy, releases tension and functions better.

Shiatsu: Gentle finger and hand pressure are applied to specific points on the body to relieve pain and enhance the flow of energy (known as qi) through the body's energy pathways (meridians).

Sports massage: Used to enhance performance and prevent or treat sports-related injuries.

Swedish massage: A variety of strokes and pressure techniques that enhance blood flow to the heart, remove waste products from the tissues, stretch ligaments and tendons, and ease physical and emotional tension.

Trigger-point massage: Pressure is applied to trigger points (tender areas where the muscles have been damaged) to alleviate muscle spasms and pain.

Tui Na facial rejuvenation massage: This form of deep tissue massage is used to stimulate acupoints (acupuncture points) and remove blockages along the acupuncture meridians of the body in order to balancing the flow of qi (life energy) within the body.

What happens during a massage session

At your first massage session, your therapist will ask about your medical history and any symptoms you have, and discuss what you hope to achieve from the massage session. It’s important to tell your therapist about any medications you are taking, as massage may influence the absorption or activity of both oral and topical medications.

Having undressed, you lie down on the massage table, covered by a sheet that is moved to expose the part of the body being worked on at any point. Massage oil or lotion is often used to reduce friction between the practitioner’s hands and your skin. The room is kept warm and free of distractions, and there may be soft music playing in the background. The therapist will frequently enquire whether they are applying too much or too little pressure. A massage session can last from 15 - 90 minutes and may include a schedule of follow-up visits, depending on the severity of your situation.

Who should not have massage

Massage should be avoided by anyone with:

·         Bleeding disorders

·         Blood clots in the legs

·         Cellulitis (soft tissue, in the legs or elsewhere)

·         Contagious skin conditions

·         Heart failure

·         High fever

·         Kidney failure

·         Low platelets or white blood cells

·         Mental impairment

·         Osteoporosis

·         Phlebitis (infection of the superficial veins)

·         Recent surgery

Massage should be approached with caution by anyone with one of the following conditions:

·         Cancer: If you have cancer, check with your doctor before considering massage because massage can damage tissue that is fragile from chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

·         Diabetes: Even though massage is a useful technique to help regulate blood sugar over time, if you have diabetes you should check your blood sugar after a massage session because it may be too low just following a treatment. Plus, if you have diabetes and you are receiving massage on a regular basis, you should check your blood sugar frequently to evaluate for any changes over time.

·         Pregnancy: During pregnancy, women should be very cautious about receiving massages, and if they do should only use a therapist specifically trained to massage pregnant women.

Massage should be avoided during flare-ups by anyone with:

·         Rheumatoid arthritis

·         Goitre

·         Eczema and other skin lesions

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Disclaimer
All content within is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional.LSCT is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the LSCT website.Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.
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