Massage Therapy and Bodywork
You may hear the terms “massage” and “bodywork” referring to the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. By some definitions “massage” is the use of techniques that are primarily intended to reduce stress and fatigue and create relaxation. “Bodywork” is the term used for various forms of touch therapies that use manipulation and movement of soft tissue to affect structural and therapeutic changes in the body. In my practice I blend and combine these techniques along with work on the energetic systems of Eastern medicine to achieve the best relaxation and health benefit for my clients.
It's also important to understand what massage and bodywork is not. It is not intended to diagnose or treat diseases or other medical conditions requiring treatment by a physician, physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist or any other qualified medical professional which are outside the scope of practice of massage therapy. It is only concerned with the manipulation of soft tissue; the muscles, tendons and connective tissue, for which it can be beneficial.
History
Massage is an ancient healing art dating back as far as 3,000 years in China and India. Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates, around 400 BCE, recommended its use for joint and circulatory problems. Massage has been used as well throughout the rest of the Middle East and Europe for countless centuries. Often considered more of a folk remedy, it had been largely discounted by the medical community in the United States until more recently. Since the latter part of the twentieth century however, as massage therapy spread across Europe and the United States, it has gained in popularity and acceptance as a useful and powerful addition to complementary integrative health care.
Benefits
Benefits of massage and bodywork are many. It has been shown to improve circulation of the blood and lymphatic systems, reduce stress and anxiety, reduce muscle pain from overuse and chronic conditions and improve joint mobility and range of motion.
The most commonly accepted benefit of massage today is the relief of stress and tension, both of which are ever-present in our modern society and can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety and a host of other ailments. Massage is now an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, proving beneficial in the treatment of such chronic conditions as low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, infertility, smoking cessation, depression and more.
Types of Massage and Bodywork
There are literally hundreds of types of massage and bodywork techniques used throughout the world, a few of which are described below. Commonly used techniques include stroking, kneading, tapping, vibrating, stretching, compressing the muscles and tendons, as well as application of pressure to energetic pathways in the body.
Swedish, sometimes called “Western” massage, is often credited to Perh Henrik Ling, who first introduced a system of movement and exercise in Sweden that he dubbed “medical gymnastics”. It was Dutch physician Johann Metzger, however who distilled Ling's work down into the four basic strokes that became known as Swedish massage. He used the French terms to describe these techniques: effleurage - long gliding strokes; petrissage - kneading and lifting; tapotement - tapping or percussive movements and friction, all of which are still used today. Swedish massage is by far the most commonly practiced form of massage in the west today.
Tui Na or Chinese medical massage has been practiced for many centuries in the East and is now becoming more common in the United States. Tui, meaning “push” and Na, meaning “lift and squeeze”, incorporates all of the basic strokes of Swedish massage along with other techniques; among them are rolling, pressing, shaking and vibrating. Tui Na is one of the primary elements of traditional Chinese medicine which aims to address the energy channels within our bodies to create the free flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) or vital energy required for the elimination of disharmonies and creation of optimum health.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force, Qi, to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands and fingers. By using the power and sensitivity of the human hand, acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eye strain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, tension due to stress, ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower backaches, constipation and indigestion and to relieve anxiety and improve sleep.
Thai massage has been practiced in Thailand for over 2000 years. Its aim is to stimulate energy lines in the body. The origin of this practice is often credited to Indian doctor Shivago Komarpaj, who was the personal physician of the Buddha. Thai massage is practiced with the client fully clothed on a mat on the floor rather than on a massage table. It involves the practitioner using their body weight in a variety of stretching and movement techniques.
Shiatsu originated in Japan and uses energy meridians to affect changes in the body similar to the techniques of Tui Na. Shiatsu practitioners use pressure along the energy channels to relax the client and improve circulation, lymphatic and energy flow.
Myofascial Release is the use of sustained gentle pressure and movement into the fascial system (connective tissue) to eliminate restrictions. Myofascial release is particularly effective in relieving cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, restricted motion, chronic pain, and headaches.
Deep Tissue massage is the application of pressure to deeper layers of muscle and fascia to help with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and to reduce inflammatory pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis. It is generally combined with other more superficial techniques that warm and loosen the tissue in preparation for the deeper work.
For a more complete discussion of these and many more modalities please visit the massagetherapy.com website and click on “Learn more about massage”.
You may hear the terms “massage” and “bodywork” referring to the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. By some definitions “massage” is the use of techniques that are primarily intended to reduce stress and fatigue and create relaxation. “Bodywork” is the term used for various forms of touch therapies that use manipulation and movement of soft tissue to affect structural and therapeutic changes in the body. In my practice I blend and combine these techniques along with work on the energetic systems of Eastern medicine to achieve the best relaxation and health benefit for my clients.
It's also important to understand what massage and bodywork is not. It is not intended to diagnose or treat diseases or other medical conditions requiring treatment by a physician, physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist or any other qualified medical professional which are outside the scope of practice of massage therapy. It is only concerned with the manipulation of soft tissue; the muscles, tendons and connective tissue, for which it can be beneficial.
History
Massage is an ancient healing art dating back as far as 3,000 years in China and India. Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates, around 400 BCE, recommended its use for joint and circulatory problems. Massage has been used as well throughout the rest of the Middle East and Europe for countless centuries. Often considered more of a folk remedy, it had been largely discounted by the medical community in the United States until more recently. Since the latter part of the twentieth century however, as massage therapy spread across Europe and the United States, it has gained in popularity and acceptance as a useful and powerful addition to complementary integrative health care.
Benefits
Benefits of massage and bodywork are many. It has been shown to improve circulation of the blood and lymphatic systems, reduce stress and anxiety, reduce muscle pain from overuse and chronic conditions and improve joint mobility and range of motion.
The most commonly accepted benefit of massage today is the relief of stress and tension, both of which are ever-present in our modern society and can result in high blood pressure, heart disease, anxiety and a host of other ailments. Massage is now an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, proving beneficial in the treatment of such chronic conditions as low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, infertility, smoking cessation, depression and more.
Types of Massage and Bodywork
There are literally hundreds of types of massage and bodywork techniques used throughout the world, a few of which are described below. Commonly used techniques include stroking, kneading, tapping, vibrating, stretching, compressing the muscles and tendons, as well as application of pressure to energetic pathways in the body.
Swedish, sometimes called “Western” massage, is often credited to Perh Henrik Ling, who first introduced a system of movement and exercise in Sweden that he dubbed “medical gymnastics”. It was Dutch physician Johann Metzger, however who distilled Ling's work down into the four basic strokes that became known as Swedish massage. He used the French terms to describe these techniques: effleurage - long gliding strokes; petrissage - kneading and lifting; tapotement - tapping or percussive movements and friction, all of which are still used today. Swedish massage is by far the most commonly practiced form of massage in the west today.
Tui Na or Chinese medical massage has been practiced for many centuries in the East and is now becoming more common in the United States. Tui, meaning “push” and Na, meaning “lift and squeeze”, incorporates all of the basic strokes of Swedish massage along with other techniques; among them are rolling, pressing, shaking and vibrating. Tui Na is one of the primary elements of traditional Chinese medicine which aims to address the energy channels within our bodies to create the free flow of Qi (pronounced “chee”) or vital energy required for the elimination of disharmonies and creation of optimum health.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's life force, Qi, to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands and fingers. By using the power and sensitivity of the human hand, acupressure can be effective in helping relieve headaches, eye strain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, tension due to stress, ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower backaches, constipation and indigestion and to relieve anxiety and improve sleep.
Thai massage has been practiced in Thailand for over 2000 years. Its aim is to stimulate energy lines in the body. The origin of this practice is often credited to Indian doctor Shivago Komarpaj, who was the personal physician of the Buddha. Thai massage is practiced with the client fully clothed on a mat on the floor rather than on a massage table. It involves the practitioner using their body weight in a variety of stretching and movement techniques.
Shiatsu originated in Japan and uses energy meridians to affect changes in the body similar to the techniques of Tui Na. Shiatsu practitioners use pressure along the energy channels to relax the client and improve circulation, lymphatic and energy flow.
Myofascial Release is the use of sustained gentle pressure and movement into the fascial system (connective tissue) to eliminate restrictions. Myofascial release is particularly effective in relieving cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, restricted motion, chronic pain, and headaches.
Deep Tissue massage is the application of pressure to deeper layers of muscle and fascia to help with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and to reduce inflammatory pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis. It is generally combined with other more superficial techniques that warm and loosen the tissue in preparation for the deeper work.
For a more complete discussion of these and many more modalities please visit the massagetherapy.com website and click on “Learn more about massage”.