MASSAGE THERAPY EXPLAINED
History, Benefits, Technique Details & Terminology
History
Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use. Ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments. Ancient Greek and Roman physicians massaged athletes both before and after competition.
Disused and discredited in Western societies during the Middle Ages, it was revived in Sweden in the early 1800s by Per Henrik Ling, a fencing master and gymnast, who developed a set of rules that formed the basis of what came to be known as “Swedish massage.” From there, massage has been studied and refined, with numerous other modalities gaining acceptance as legitimate forms of body therapy. BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
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Technique Details
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy - (A-she-ot-sue) The therapist applies this treatment using her feet, holding onto bars above her with her hands for support. Ashiatsu, meaning deep footed, is a Japanese form of massage. It's a therapeutic but luxurious feeling treatment...the feet offering a deeper, broader stroke than hand applied therapies can offer.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST)– A gentle technique involving a light touch to work the cranial bones, the spinal column and the sacrum, CST releases tensions deep in the body to allow the entire body to relax and self-correct. This therapy engages and frees the nervous system, eliminating pain and stress. It strengthens resistance to disease and improves whole-body health.
CST has proven to aid in the alleviation of a range of illnesses pain and dysfunction including: Migraines and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, stress/tension related issues, chronic fatigue, emotional difficulties, TMJ Syndrome.
Hot Stone Massage - specialty massage where the therapist uses smooth, heated stones, either as an extension of their own hands. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly.
Myofascial Release (MFR) – Myofascial Release is a form of bodywork that uses long, stretching strokes to rebalance the body. By releasing and unwinding the fascia that surrounds each muscle and interconnects all of the other internal parts of the body, relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying connective tissue, MFR can relieve pain and tension caused by injury or stress.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) – Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. This technique involves the use of static pressure on specific points to relieve pain. With NMT, the muscles, tendons and connective tissue are manipulated, helping to balance the central nervous system and maintain normal function and overall health.
Pre-natal massage – Massage therapy during pregnancy is healthy and safe. It reduces stress, promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces muscle strain and pain, facilitates a variety of physical processes (hormonal, respiratory, gastrointestinal) and contributes to developing flexibility and body awareness. During this time of physical and emotional transformation, massage offers nurturing support catered to the individual mother-to-be. The client receives her treatment, in a well propped, side-lying position.
Sports massage – Exercise can leave your muscles feeling fatigued, stiff and sore. Massage therapy stretches and lengthens shortened muscles and reduces spasm. Its gentle kneading improves circulation which speeds up the removal of waste products that can make you sore, and brings in the oxygen and nutrients your muscles need to rejuvenate.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST)– A gentle technique involving a light touch to work the cranial bones, the spinal column and the sacrum, CST releases tensions deep in the body to allow the entire body to relax and self-correct. This therapy engages and frees the nervous system, eliminating pain and stress. It strengthens resistance to disease and improves whole-body health.
CST has proven to aid in the alleviation of a range of illnesses pain and dysfunction including: Migraines and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, stress/tension related issues, chronic fatigue, emotional difficulties, TMJ Syndrome.
Hot Stone Massage - specialty massage where the therapist uses smooth, heated stones, either as an extension of their own hands. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly.
Myofascial Release (MFR) – Myofascial Release is a form of bodywork that uses long, stretching strokes to rebalance the body. By releasing and unwinding the fascia that surrounds each muscle and interconnects all of the other internal parts of the body, relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying connective tissue, MFR can relieve pain and tension caused by injury or stress.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) – Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. This technique involves the use of static pressure on specific points to relieve pain. With NMT, the muscles, tendons and connective tissue are manipulated, helping to balance the central nervous system and maintain normal function and overall health.
Pre-natal massage – Massage therapy during pregnancy is healthy and safe. It reduces stress, promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces muscle strain and pain, facilitates a variety of physical processes (hormonal, respiratory, gastrointestinal) and contributes to developing flexibility and body awareness. During this time of physical and emotional transformation, massage offers nurturing support catered to the individual mother-to-be. The client receives her treatment, in a well propped, side-lying position.
Sports massage – Exercise can leave your muscles feeling fatigued, stiff and sore. Massage therapy stretches and lengthens shortened muscles and reduces spasm. Its gentle kneading improves circulation which speeds up the removal of waste products that can make you sore, and brings in the oxygen and nutrients your muscles need to rejuvenate.
Terminology
MASSAGE – The application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress while improving circulation. Also referred to as: massotherapy, massage therapy
BODYWORK – Various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement, and/or repatterning to affect structural changes to the body.
MASSOTHERAPIST - A medically licensed therapist who is trained to work with disorders of the body. Also referred to as: massage therapist, masseuse
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ISCHEMIA - Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
MODALITIES - techniques learned through training
NERVE COMPRESSION or ENTRAPMENT - Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
SOMATIC – Meaning “of the body”, this term is often used to denote a body/mind or whole-body approach as distinguished from a physiology-only perspective.
TRIGGER POINTS - Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body. Commonly referred to as 'knots'.
BODYWORK – Various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement, and/or repatterning to affect structural changes to the body.
MASSOTHERAPIST - A medically licensed therapist who is trained to work with disorders of the body. Also referred to as: massage therapist, masseuse
______________________________________________________________________________________________
ISCHEMIA - Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
MODALITIES - techniques learned through training
NERVE COMPRESSION or ENTRAPMENT - Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
SOMATIC – Meaning “of the body”, this term is often used to denote a body/mind or whole-body approach as distinguished from a physiology-only perspective.
TRIGGER POINTS - Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body. Commonly referred to as 'knots'.
