What is Massage therapy?
Massage is the oldest form of physical medicine known to man and can be traced back to the early Chinese medical manuscripts around 400BC. Massage was advocated by Hippocrates who was born in the fifth century and was known as 'the father of medicine'. It was widely used and written of in Roman times with history recording how Julius Ceaesar received massage to relieve neuralgia!
Very little was recorded about massage in Europe between the Roman times and the early Middle Ages, but by the sixteenth century medicine slowly started to re-learn what had been lost. Between 1776 and 1839, a Swedish professor, Peter Ling, created a scientific system of therapeutic massage known as Swedish massage and established a teaching institute in Stockholm.
Today, massage therapy is one of the fastest growing health therapies
How does it work?
Massage is simply the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body - the muscles, tendons and ligaments. A massage therapist will generally use his hands to treat the patient. The massage therapist palpates the patient's body to determine the condition of the tissues and the likely source of any pain, and thus the correct form of remedial treatment.
Massage works through the various body systems in one of two ways, a mechanical action and a reflex action. A mechanical action is created by moving the muscles and soft tissues of the body using pressure and stretching movement, thereby cleansing them of acids and deposits. This mechanical action breaks up fibrous tissue and loosens stiff joints.
A reflex is created when treatment of one part of the body affects another part of the body, different parts of the body are connected to each other not just by flesh and bone but by nerve pathways, or flows of energy known as 'meridians'. So, by using reflex action, some therapists will treat a patient's stomach complaint by massaging the arms, and will alleviate pain in the legs by massaging the lower back.
Types of massage available:
Anma
This is a traditional Japanese massage that works tsubos or acupressure points on the body. Anma became the basis of energy-based body techniques like shiatsu, tuina and Kahuna.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the combination of healing massage with the medicinal properties of essential oils from plant extracts. The essential oils are absorbed through the skin during massage and also by inhalation through the nose.
Aston Patterning
Developed in America by Judith Aston and has its roots in Rolfing, Aston Patterning is a system of massage, soft tissue bodywork, fitness training and movement education. It can be helpful in alleviating pain and improving posture by encouraging fluid body movements and even distribution of body weight.
Ayurvedic Massage
This is the massage aspect of Ayurvedic medicine. It is based on affecting the flow of 'prana' through the 107 'marma' points on the body. This is very similar to the approach used by Oriental Medicine as in Acupuncture. Depending on the constitution and the 'dosha type' of the client according to the principles of Ayurvedic Medicine, suitable oils are chosen to be used in the massage. There is also a form of massage for self-use.
Biodynamic Massage
Developed in the 1960's by a Norwegian physiotherapist and psychologist, Gerda Boyesen. The therapy aims to release energy believed to be trapped in the muscles and gut causing physical and emotional pain. Techniques can be soothing or more vigorous and Swedish massage is used together with other methods like 'lifting' the limbs to free trapped 'bio-energy' which is then released via the abdomen. Discussion is encouraged if the treatment raises any issues.
Chavutti Thirumal
Chavutti Thirumal comes from southern India and is part of the Ayurvedic system. It is said to have developed to promote suppleness to traditional dancers and martial art practitioners and is regarded as a specialised form of massage to aid the circulation, lymphatic system and digestion. The therapist is suspended above the client using a rope, and uses his or her feet and toes to apply firm, continuous strokes to stimulate the body's energy lines.
Hellerwork
Developed by Joseph Heller, an American engineer and Rolfing Practitioner, in the 1970's, it could be described as a blend of Rolfing, Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. It has three components: bodywork, movement education and verbal dialogue. The bodywork is a deep massage to the fascia which is where Joseph Heller believes stiffness and tension accumulate. Movement education is
Indian Head Massage
Traditionally practised in India to the head and hair in order to keep hair lustrous and healthy, it has been extended and enhanced to include deep and relaxing massage to the upper back, shoulders and neck which is an area susceptible to the build-up of tension. It helps to relax the thin layer of muscle covering the head, improving blood flow, nourishing the hair follicles and alleviating anxiety and stress.
Kahuna
An ancient Hawaiian system of massage that aims to help clients accept their own body and love themselves. Connection to one's own self-love is believed to strengthen the ability to recognise the beauty in our life and surroundings. The treatment involves the practitioner using long rhythmical strokes over a two hour period with the client lying naked on a treatment table. The massage increases the vibrational rate of the cells of the body
Lomi
A deep tissue massage based on a Hawaiian Kahuna tradition.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
A very light pressure massage is used on the skin to encourage and stimulate the superficial lymphatic system in order to assist the removal of toxins from the body via the lymphatic nodes. Dietary correction can also be advisable.
Remedial Massage
This is a corrective massage to encourage muscular alignment to muscle groups that are strained from overuse. The massage is deep and specific, concentrating on the muscles that are tight and stiff.
Rolfing
Rolfing (or Structural Integration) is a system of manipulation designed to bring the body into correct alignment.
Sports Massage
This is ideal for loosening muscle groups to regain flexibility and prevent strains occurring. It focuses on muscle recovery rate and helps to cleanse the muscles of toxins allowing less muscle fatigue after exercise. Deep massage is applied to the muscle groups.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is a blend of Chinese and Ayurvedic systems. It uses gentle stretching, bending and pulling techniques to affect the flow of 'prana' or vital force in the body. Treatment is focused on the massage channels and points on the body and a practitioner will use hands, feet and elbows to affect this flow and help to restore harmony to the body.
Therapeutic Massage (Swedish Massage)
Is the manipulation of the soft tissues (skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments) of the body. It is a firm massage and has a set routine of techniques that vary from deep pressure to stimulate the body's systems, to a slower, more superficial movement to assist relaxation. There are four basic movements used in Therapeutic Massage:
Effleurage: relaxes and stretches the superficial muscles of the body.
Petrissage: kneading and squeezing of superficial and deeper muscles and soft tissue.
Friction: breaks down adhesions between tissues and relaxes muscle fibres.
Tapotement: a variety of percussive strokes to stimulate skin and muscles to increase blood flow.
Zero Balancing
It was developed in the 1970's by Dr Fritz Smith, an American doctor, osteopath and acupuncturist and is a touch technique that combines Eastern and Western medicine. Treatment aims to restore a smooth flow of energy throughout the body paying attention to 'foundation' joints that act as shock absorbers for the weight distribution of the body and to breathing patterns, eye movements and stomach rumbles. The improvement to the energy flow can help to improve posture, increase harmony and the body's own self-healing ability. The practitioner uses gentle touch via the fingers to stretch and hold the client, who lies fully clothed on a treatment table.
What does treatment involve?
Each massage session will last between 60-90 minutes, and will take place in a quiet room on a massage table. The patient will lie down undressed and the therapist will cover the parts of the body not being worked on with towels. Therapy will often start with the feet or with light stroking on the back to introduce you to the touch and for relaxation. The therapist will use either oils or talc and will work methodicaly around the whole body. The number of appointments required will depend upon the seriousness of the health problem.
The massage therapist will treat the patient through four stages of healing - relief, correction, strengthening and maintenance. For relief, the therapist will aim to alleviate any pain by sedating the sensory nerves, stimulating blood flow and reducing muscle tension, possibly by using hot and cold compresses. Secondly, for correction, the therapist will need to alleviate the underlying cause by rebalancing the muscles, clearing away lymph congestion and unknotting any fibres through various techniques of massage.For strengthening, the weak joints and tissues should undergo continuing treatment to avoid repeated or additional injury. Finally, the massage therapist will recommend a monthly or bi-monthly maintenance programme to help keep the tissues and ligaments healthy as ligaments never regain their original strength once they have been damaged.
What it can help
Massage can improve circulation and aid digestion and has been known to help insomniacs and migraine sufferers.
Relaxation massage has been shown to help reduce blood pressure by as much as 20 points.
Massage improves the blood circulation in several ways without putting additional strain on the heart. It helps the flow of blood through the veins and also stimulates the nerves which control the blood vessels. It has the added benefit of relaxing tense muscles and tight connective tissues which may have been constricting blood vessels and thus enable blood to flow more freely. It is for this reason that soothing massage helps reduce emotional tension, it enduces relaxation and calms stress-related cardio-vascular conditions.
Find a Massage Therapist
There are a number of routes to finding a massage therapist, referral from a friend or family, professional associations, massage schools, health & fitness clubs, hair and beauty salons, health farms and spas.
or search our database of qualified professionals click here
Questions to think about
Before you choose your therapist or decide to go ahead with a therapist think about the following:
What are my goals for the massage therapy session? To: loosen tight muscles? relax? reduce stress? address a chronic muscular problem? Knowing what you want to accomplish will help you focus on practitioners specialising in your needs.
Do I understand all the alternative therapies and implications of specific treatments? If you are unsure about the various types of treatment available and what to expect, then it is advisable to start your search after reviewing the relevant information sections within this website or other information sources
What sort of environment/setting would I like when receiving a massage? Will noise from a gym next to the treatment room interrupt your relaxation at the local health & fitness club? If the therapist works from a room in their home, will you feel comfortable and at ease? If you can’t mentally and physically relax, the session will not be as helpful.
Practitioners are looking to build a loyal clientele; they should be willing to talk with you prior to scheduling an appointment. Above all, you need to be comfortable with your decision, don’t hesitate to try different practitioners until you are satisfied.