Nov 18, 2008

What You Should Know About Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy Information.

What you should know about massage therapy? Well aside from it being able to help relieve sore muscles, a few others things like what are the different types, what are the risks, if there are any side effects and whether or not it should substitute conventional medicine.

To date, there are more than 10 types of massage therapy being used. Some examples of these include reflexology, shiatsu, back massage, Thai, hot stone, deep tissue, aromatherapy and Swedish.

There are only a few serious risks with regards to massage therapy and this can be avoided if you take the particular precautions. The best thing to do will be to refer with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to see a masseuse.

Individuals who have the following conditions should not undergo massage therapy. These include deep vein thrombosis that happens to be a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, a bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin, damaged blood vessels and weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture, or cancer.

You also should not get a massage if you have a fever, have an open injury, been diagnosed with a tumor, have damaged nerves, have an infection or acute inflammation. Certain conditions could also be risky if you decide to have a massage. These include pregnancy, cancer, fragile skin, heart problems, dermatomyositis and a history of physical abuse.

There are certain side effects associated with massage therapy. These include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling and sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.

Massage therapy should not be used a substitute for regular medical care. If your doctor tells you that you can see a specialist, do some research about the individual.

You should check on their credentials or licenses, years of experience and training. If you need massage therapy to help cure medical condition, find out beforehand if they have specialized training in this field.

It wouldn't hurt to also ask if they use other CAM practices aside from massage therapy to help their patients. Some examples of these include the use of herbs and requiring the patient to go on a special diet.

If everything checks out, then this is the time you find out how many treatments will be necessary, the cost and if this will be covered by your insurance. In most cases, this will not be honored. Some people may even ask for a free ten minute test to see how well they perform.

Part of the criteria should include giving you privacy when you change, he or she covers your body for modesty and warmth, inquires before beginning the session what part of the body you want worked on, asks for feedback as to how they are doing and accommodates requests for less or more intense pressure.

The best part about massage therapy is that it can provide relief without the need to ingest pain killing drugs and knowing some facts about it is good so you know what you are getting yourself into once you visit the place. You can read more about this by doing some research which isn't bad even if you just go for a session to relieve some stress or pain and not have to visit because of a medical condition.
Massage Therapy Information

Oct 29, 2008

The History and Development of Massage (massage therapy information)

Massage therapy information

The history of massage began during the 3000 B.C. when the Chinese composed Cong-Fu of the Tao-Tse, the oldest book written about massage which was later translated to French in the 1700's. In 2760 B.C., Nei Ching or the Yellow Emperor’s Esoteric Classic discussed therapeutic touch.

The Egyptians made their contribution in massage when they created reflexology in 2500 B.C.. Even the Indians took part in the development of massage when they established Ayurvedic massage.

During 500 BC-50 A.D., the Greek and Romans applied massage on Olympic athletes and to relieve neuralgia and epileptic seizures. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, incorporated massage in medicine. In 130 AD-201 A.D., Galen, a Greek physician from the school of gladiators who were rubbed before fighting wrote a book on manual medicine.

In 100s A.D., schools for massage therapy were created in China. Then in 600s A.D. the Japanese developed shiatsu, which uses the fingers to apply pressure on acupuncture points to rejuvenate energy. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), pediatric or tuina evolved into a higher form of therapy which is still applied today.

During 1776-1813, Per Henrik Ling, a fencing master and gymnast healed himself of rheumatism through massage and created Medical Gymnastics and later formed the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Then in 1839-1909, Johann Mezger introduced medical massage to the scientific community and the terms effleurage, petrissage and tapotement became familiar.

The effects of massage on anemia were researched by medical doctors and professors in New York City in 1880. Four years later, Professor Charcot, a French physician who taught Sigmund Freud recommended massage therapy in French medicine.

The Society of Trained Masseuses was formed in Britain which offered massage education recognized by schools in 1894. A year after, Sigmund Freud used massage therapy to treat hysteria. During the same year, Harvey Kellog wrote The Art of Massage.

The 1900’s gave birth to different techniques like Jin Shin Jyutsu or the art of circulation awakening developed in Japan by Jiro Murai, The Alexander Technique created by F.M. Alexander, an Australian actor, Naprapathy (1907) which originated in Chicago, Bindgewebs massage (1929), created by German physiotherapist, Elizabeth Dicke and Neuromuscular therapy (1930) created by Stanley Leif.

In 1937, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, discovered the healing powers of essential oils accidentally during a laboratory experiment where he burned his hand and used lavender oil to soothe it. He coined the word Aromatherapy. Two years after, The Florida State Massage Therapy Association Inc. (FSTMA) was organized. Today, it is one of the oldest massage organizations with 85 charter members.

The Massage Registration Act was formulated during 1949, and in 1950 Francis Tappan and Gertrude Beard wrote books and articles concerning massage methods. Two years later, Hoshino Therapy, which is an official medical therapy in Argentina was developed. Then during the 1960's, John Barnes created Myofascial Release Therapy.

In 1977-1978, Aston- Patterning was developed by Judith Aston and Hellerwork was created by Joseph Heller. Both methods are forms of rolfing.

During the 1980's, the Association of Bodywork and Massage Practitioners was established. Also, Watsu or water therapy was developed by Harold Dull followed by Stuart Taws creation of Taws Method or Soft Tissue Release.

In the 1990's, a protocol for fybromyalgia syndrome was defined by the American College of Rheumatology and the Touch Research Institute, which studies the effects of touch therapy was established.
Massage therapy information