What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissue and joints of the body. The soft tissues include muscle, skin, tendons and associated fascia, ligaments and joint capsules.

Massage has many diverse physiological effects, which are primarily due to the therapist's hands moving over the body. The different movements can physically stretch muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia, encourage the circulation through the tissue, inhibit muscular spasms and be either sedating or stimulating to the nervous system.

The therapeutic use of massage by a registered massage therapist affects all the systems of the body - in particular, the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) and nervous systems.

No wonder so many people find massage therapy so helpful in so many ways!

 

What To Expect

I found two pretty good sites with what to expect when you are coming in for a massage.

  American Massage Therapy Association      everything2   Mayo Clinic

All information is kept private and confidential. Assessments and some testing may be performed on the first visit. This allows met to understand your goals and to set up the appropriate treatment plan that is beneficial to you and the condition.

Your privacy will always be respected. You will be draped with a sheet or towel at all times during the massage except for the areas being worked on.  I will leave the room to allow you to disrobe and get on the table.  Informed consent is obtained prior to the treatment and questions and expression of any concerns are encouraged throughout the treatment in order to maintain your comfort.  I will do my best to never make you uncomfortable in any way.  If I ever do, even a little, please let me know right away.

 

What Are The Benefits of Massage?
Research has verified that office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better and were less stressed than those who weren't massaged; that massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in burn patients; that abdominal surgery patients recovered more quickly after massage; that premature infants who were massaged gained more weight and fared better than those who weren't and that autistic children showed less erratic behavior after massage therapy.

"Often times people are stressed in our culture. Stress-related disorders make up between 80-and-90 percent of the ailments that bring people to family-practice physicians.   What they require is someone to listen, someone to touch them, someone to care.   That does not exist in modern medicine.

One of the complaints heard frequently is that physicians don't touch their patients any more. Touch just isn't there. Years ago massage was a big part of nursing. There was so much care, so much touch, so much goodness conveyed through massage.   Now nurses for the most part are as busy as physicians.   They're writing charts, dealing with insurance notes, they're doing procedures and often there is no room for massage any more.

I believe massage therapy is absolutely key in the healing process not only in the hospital environment but because it relieves stress, it is obviously foundational in the healing process anytime and anywhere."

by Joan Borysenko - Massage Journal Interview, Fall 1999

 

 

Physical Benefits of Massage		Mental Benefits of Massage
Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation		Fosters peace of mind
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness		Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy		Helps relieve mental stress
Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue		Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
Reduces muscle spasms		Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work
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		Emotional Benefits
Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
Improves posture		Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
Strengthens the immune system		Fosters a feeling of well-being
Treats musculoskeletal problems		Reduces levels of anxiety
Rehabilitation post operative		Creates body awareness
Rehabilitation after injury		Increases awareness of mind-body connection

 

What Are The Effects?

Massage therapy has an effect on both body and mind. It increases the circulation of blood and flow of lymph. The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied manual pressure and movement used in massage can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow. Also, the stimulation of nerve receptors causes the blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate, which also facilitates blood flow. This has a profound effect on one's health.

The following are the key effects of massage:

• Reduced muscle tension  Massage affects the muscles throughout the body. Massage affects the muscles and other soft tissues throughout the body. It loosens contracted, shortened, hardened muscles. Massage can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. Chronic muscle tension reduces the circulation of the blood and movement of lymph in an area.
• Improved blood circulation  The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after massage. By indirectly or directly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow greater blood supply to them.
• Better lymph movement  Lymph is a milky white fluid that drains impurities and waste away from the tissue cells. A component of these wastes is toxins which are the by-products of metabolism. So, it is a vital to our health. Muscular contraction has a pumping effect that moves lymph. Massage and exercise help to move lymph.
• Increased mobility and range of motion of joints  Massage provides a gentle stretching action to both the muscles and connective tissues that surround and support the muscles and many other parts of the body, which helps keep these tissues elastic.
• Stimulated or soothed nervous system  Massage balances the nervous system by soothing or stimulating it, depending on which effect is needed by the individual at the time of the massage.
• Enhanced skin condition  Massage enhances the skin condition by improving the function of the sebaceous and sweat glands, which keep the skin lubricated, clean, and cool.
• Better digestion and intestinal function  Massage increases the body's secretions and excretions. It increases the production of gastric juices, saliva, and urine. There is also an increased excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and salt. As a result, the metabolic rate increases.
• Relief of acute and chronic pain  Massage can promote recovery from the fatigue and from minor aches and pains.
• Beneficial effects on the internal organs and the immune system
• Reduced swelling
• Reduced stress
• General relaxation
• Overall improvement in physical health and the quality of life

(Source: Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Jennifer Jacobs, MD, MPH, Consultant Editor)

 

How Often Should I Get a Massage?

There is no set frequency for massage. It is interesting to note that both George Burns and Bob Hope received massage daily.  It wasn't the cigars that George smoked every day that kept him alive into his nineties or Bob to the age of 100. It was the massage they received every day that kept them healthy and vital.

Consider that not only does each session feel great, but the therapeutic benefits are compounded when massage is utilized as a frequent therapy. The more you go, the healthier you feel.

Chronic pain resulting from trauma, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or injury is seldom relieved completely in a single session. Pain often requires frequent sessions in the beginning and as the pain subsides you will be able to come less often.

Stress, can be relieved in a single session, but if it is a recurring or constant condition, you will need to return.

Massage is not a permanent fix.  It does, however, work with the body and the mind allowing both to realize how it should feel.

 

Why Do You Need My Medical Information?

Certain medical conditions and medications may be contraindicated for massage. I want to evaluate these before the session to prevent making a condition worse or causing you additional problems. Also, by indicating areas of concern to you, I will know what areas to focus on during your massage.

 

Why Did I Get Sore?

A little soreness after a massage is not unusual, it does not mean your therapist did anything wrong. The soreness should be on the level of "workout" soreness. Your muscles and tissues beneath your skin have had the equivalent of a workout. They have been stretched, flushed with blood and oxygen, and kneaded.   Typically, it is after the deeper therapy sessions in which you trade pain and stiffness for a little soreness and better flexibility and range of motion.  Most feel it is a good trade.  I will do my best not to leave you sore.  Your soreness should not last longer than 48 hours. If it continues beyond that point, please call me and discuss the soreness.

 

Why Should I Reschedule Before I Leave?

We are all very busy. Massage is a commitment to your health. By rescheduling, you are committing to another hour to take care of yourself. Also, if you leave without scheduling your next appointment, you may forget.

 

What Should I do Afterward?
Generally, take it easy. Give the massage "time" to settle in. Drink water to aid in flushing the toxins released during the massage from the body. Take a nice bath, as warm as you can stand, with 1 to 1 1/2 cups of epsom salt in the water. The epsom salt helps to remove toxins deposited in the layers of the skin by the blood. "Our skin is our largest organ", its purpose is to breathe, dispose of toxins and protect us from the environment. It helps to clean our body.

If you've just received a pre-sports massage, GO FOR IT ALL, your therapist has prepared your body for a workout.