Presented By: Rachael Lewis

Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress; and, to promote health and wellness. The American Massage Therapy Association (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 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 holding, causing movement of soft tissue, and/or applying pressure to the body. It comes in many forms, including:

• Swedish a gentle, relaxing massage;
• Deep Tissue for certain conditions or injuries;
• Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy for correction of muscular conditions on a cellular level;
• Sports massage which focuses on muscle groups relevant to the particular sport.

Can massage be medically beneficial?

People find that therapeutic massage can help with a wide range of medical conditions, including:

• • • • • • • allergies
            • anxiety
            • arthritis (both 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 tissue connecting the muscles)
            • reduced range of motion
            • sinusitis
            • sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and sprained ligaments
            • stress
            • temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

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 can be inappropriate 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?

Research on the effects of massage therapy has been ongoing for more than 120 years. A surge in research over the past 20 years has resulted in more than 100 published studies. At the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Touch Research Institute, 55 studies on touch, the majority on massage therapy, have been published or are under way. And, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the government agency that oversees and conducts medical research in the United States, opened an Office of Alternative Medicine in 1992, which has funded several studies on the benefits of massage. More research is under way.

Among research findings 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.

The NIH has awarded $10 million in grants to establish 10 centers in the United States to study alternative therapies, including massage, for a variety of ailments. All are affiliated with major institutions, from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, to Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.

Publisher’s Note:

What a wonderful facility. I have had numerous massages from Alternative Therapy and I can honestly say they have all been great. If you are looking for a wonderful way to relax, or if you need a massage to treat your tired body, the girls at Alternative Therapy can meet your every need.