Originally massage therapy was used by the Ancient Egyptians, as well as by the Greeks and Romans. These particular cultures would use it to not only heal but bring pleasure to the person being treated. However at the same time the use of massage therapy was also spreading to countries such as India, China and Japan. It was in these countries that started to integrate it as a formal part of their medical practices over the centuries.

But rather than the body being pummelled massage therapy relies on the use of different movements on the body. Normally a masseuse will use their hands, elbows and forearms in order to apply pressure where required to underlying muscles on the body. Plus they will also just glide their hands gently over the person’s body. But generally they will either stroke, knead, rub or press their elbows, forearms and hands on to the areas where treatment is required.

Although massage therapy is not able to cure any sort of ailment or disorder a person is suffering from it can help to restore balance in the body. Once balance has been restored then the body is able to function properly and this will help to relieve some of the symptoms often associated with particular ailments or disorders.

As the masseuse touches the body in a particular way it helps it to carry out its functions properly as well as acting as a natural stimulus. Often a person who under goes massage therapy will find that their stress levels are reduced, plus their body starts to function better. This is turn provides the person with an overall sense of well being and helps to boost their mental health.

Yet as you will soon discover there are many different types of massage therapy that can be carried out. There are some forms of massage therapy which will help a person to relax whilst there are other forms which help you recover from injuries or illness. The actual benefits to be gained from the therapy will depend on the kind of massage that you undertake. Where as some help a person to relax there are others which are designed to help increase a person’s energy levels. However #your massage therapist will be able to decide upon which is the best course of massage therapy treatment for you.

Allison Thompson a work from home mum, now living in Spain who has been looking at ways of living a much healthier kind of lifestyle. After years of suffering from problems relating to her back and neck through work as a secretary in the UK she has found that massage therapy helps. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of using massage therapy for yourself then please visit http://www.massagetherapyhandbook.com

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One of the techniques often used in healing hands massage therapy is deep tissue massage. This technique works on relieving tension and stiffness in the deepest layers of muscle. By using slower and deeper strokes, this technique works to loosen muscles and bring oxygen back in. By releasing toxins with this technique, the therapist enhances healing. Another technique often used, in healing touch therapy, is Swedish massage. This is probably the most familiar to most people. With the use of gentle strokes, friction, and tapping, this form of massage helps to warm up tissues and pull toxins out of the muscles. It gently increases blood circulation and stretches tendons and ligaments.

If the injury occurred while playing sports or doing other physically intensive activities, sports massage is another form in healing hands massage therapy. This form of massage helps decrease recovery time by eliminating toxins and encouraging blood flow into the injured area. Sports therapy often focuses on muscle injury prevention and helps with muscle injury healing. Healing touch therapy usually involves other techniques that help realign the body, work different muscle groups, and isolate injuries so they can heal. They also work to promote joint flexibility and to increase motion range. With this, it helps keep the body working, as it should.

Healing hands massage therapy focuses on bringing the body back to health, and keeping it that way for the long run. It is important to find a therapist fully trained with healing touch therapy. Not every massage therapist knows how to perform this type of massage. Someone who is untrained can do more damage than good. If you have experienced an injury that rest doesn’t seem to heal, a visit to massage therapist may be just the right thing to do. Many people report that massage therapy helps speed up their recovery time. It also helps prevent injuries in the future.

For those working to improve their health, healing hands massage therapy is a good tool to utilize. By lowering your stress levels and getting rid of toxins, you help your body heal faster. It helps promote your immune system that helps you get over illnesses and injuries must faster. As your whole body improves, your overall health improves as well. Healing touch therapy realigns your body’s joints and muscles into their natural positions. With added flexibility, your energy levels will soar. Why take chances with your health? Get in touch with a professional right now.

Nancy A. Smith is a licensed, certified Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist, and MA Nurse in Austin, Texas. Nancy is dedicated to to improving the quality of health and well being of people through her holistic healing practices. For more information about Nancy, her practice Inner Peace Austin Massage Therapy, services, location and how she can dramatically improve the quality of your life, come visit her web site at http://www.BestAustinMassageTherapy.com

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Massage therapy has a got a long binding relationship with Bodywork. Before we could understand the relationship between massage therapy and bodywork, we need to understand the definition of bodywork. Bodywork is practiced by anyone who has studied alternative medicine which deals with some form of touching or rational understanding of a human body. Bodywork could be classified in the umbrella of Somatic Disciplines which include any technique related to body-mind disciplines, movement therapy or body-mind integration.

All this leads us to a point that in most cases, bodywork and massage therapy are the same words with different definitions but are interchangeably used. The only difference that I could point out is that bodywork would encompass massage therapies and other types of touch and heal techniques. Bodywork allows the patient to benefit from a very effective treatment which would impact their posture in a positive way. Bodywork which is often combined with personal development and psychotherapy of the body is primarily used as a body relaxation technique. Massage therapy deals with application of pressure or touch on parts of the body or the whole body itself.

The procedure for a massage therapy applied on a person’s body is very simple. The person is asked to remove his clothes (happens only in some cases) and lie down on his stomach on a flat floor. A professional therapist starts massaging the body with his hands. The parts of the body which are highly impacted by a massage therapy are the spinal cord (upper and lower), hip and shoulders. Many massage therapies are also done with the help of an Ayurvedic or an Aromatic Oil which enhances the effects of the Massage Therapy. Massage is applied on the subject for him to avail of physiological benefits in the form of a therapeutic massage.

Massage therapy has acquired tremendous professional significance over the last few years because of which many entities have now started offering massage therapy and bodywork as a part of their services. When you go to such entities for a massage therapy, you would be made to lay flat on a massage table with you being partially disrobed or your body being wrapped around in towels. This is a highly controversial aspect of massage therapy as in some countries, private parts of the body like a man’s genitals or the nipples of woman are not draped at all. Thailand, a country which is famous for massage salons does not drape the private parts of the persons body at all.

Techniques of massage therapy and bodywork are undergoing a major sea-change in terms of the way they are practiced. Significantly, this form of treatment of body issues which do not have any side-effects of using a drug at all is gaining fast popularity in almost all parts of the world.

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On June 17th, 2007 Texas Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 2644. The bill amended Texas Massage Therapy law in a very positive manner. Effective September 1, 2007, candidates for massage therapy licensure must now have completed a more comprehensive training program of at least 500 hours in length, a significant increase over the previously required 300 hours. The new 500 hour training programs will meet the following requirements:

1) 200 hours taught by a licensed massage therapy instructor and dedicated to the study of massage therapy techniques and theory and the practice of manipulation of soft tissue, with at least 125 hours dedicated to the study of Swedish massage therapy techniques;

2) 50 hours of anatomy;

3) 25 hours of physiology;

4) 50 hours of kinesiology;

5) 40 hours of pathology;

6) 20 hours of hydrotherapy;

7) 45 hours of massage therapy laws and rules, business practices, and professional ethics standards;

20 hours of health, hygiene, first aid, universal precautions, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and

9) 50 hours in an internship program.

Additionally, the bill eliminated the practical (hands-on) examination requirement. The elimination of the 6-minute practical exam eliminates the requirement for all massage therapy licensure candidates to travel to Austin to take the exam. Therefore, all massage therapy licensure candidates may take the written licensure exam near home instead of having to travel to the state capitol.

As written, the new law’s requirements do not affect any of the approximately 20,000 currently licensed massage therapists. The law also does not affect any massage therapy student pursuing a massage therapy training program provided the student was enrolled in the program before September 1, 2007.

The new requirements are meant to improve the quality of massage therapy provided in the State of Texas and to improve the professional image of Licensed Massage Therapists in the state. The new requirements also bring Texas’ massage therapy regulations more in line with other states regulating massage therapy and with the National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). So, it is likely that the new laws will improve license reciprocity, allowing Texas Licensed Massage Therapists to more easily relocate to other states and separately licensed municipalities.

Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, and Neuromuscular Therapy Instructor in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Crabtree’s practice is dedicated to relieving pain and dysfunction using Neuromuscular Therapy, Medical Massage and other bodywork techniques. Mr. Crabtree may be reached through his website http://www.sanantoniomassage-therapy.com

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Purpose

The goal is to advance the field of massage therapy and to promote and establish it as a viable therapy integral to good health. The AMTA works to set standards for care and ethical practice, support member therapists, to educate the public about massage therapy and its benefits, and to support legislative efforts in favor of massage therapy.

Who Can Join

Membership to AMTA is open to professionals and students pursuing a career in massage therapy. There is a fee to join and maintain membership; the fee is dependent on the level of membership chosen. Membership is offered at different levels for both students and practicing professionals, and each level of membership requires different qualifications.

What The AMTA Offers Clients And Consumers

Although the AMTA is an association which exists largely for the benefit of its members, the function of the organization is also to promote the art and science of massage therapy, and so the American Massage Therapy Association offers services to massage therapy clients and consumers as well.

The AMTA offers opportunities for the consumers and clients to advertise in their journal and on their website, but what it s most interested in doing for consumers is to educate them and assist in obtaining professional massage therapy services. This is done by

o Offering advertising and job posting services to consumers looking to reach massage therapists

o Offering a “National Locator Service” which can be used to locate a local therapist

o Promoting public education initiatives

o Offering informational resources for consumers

What The AMTA Offers Massage Therapy Professionals

The Association offers a number of different services to its members; access to services is dependent on the level of membership, and some services are available to non-members for a fee.

Professional services offered to therapists by the AMTA include

* Access to member’s section
* Informational resources
* Job search/listing services
* Inclusion in locator directory
* Continuing education opportunities
* Advertising opportunities
* Materials and resources for clients/public education
* Code of Ethics and core documents
* Industry demographics
* Professional support
* Access to insurance (liability, health, disability, optional insurances)
* Regulatory information and updates
* Professional publications
* Political/legislative voice

The American Massage Therapy Association, a member of the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork, and Somatic Practice Organizations, represents over 56,000 massage therapy professionals. The AMTA is a valuable resource for both clients and therapists alike.

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The most commonly recognized type of massage is Swedish Massage, developed by Per Henrik Ling in the late 1700 and early 1800’s. Swedish massage techniques consists of long, smooth strokes (effleurage), tissue kneading (petrissage), or tapping (tapotement), and can be used to either relax muscle or increase its tone depending on the application and technique. Pressure can be very light or deep, depending on the therapist, your needs and your tolerance to pressure. During a massage therapy treatment that primarily consists of Swedish techniques, other modalities, which may require further or specialized training, can be used.

Relaxation, sports, pregnancy, infant and geriatric massage all contain elements of Swedish techniques.

Relaxation massage tends to be slower and more rhythmic than a treatment oriented therapeutic massage and its primary goal is to increase relaxation of the client. In infant massage, therapists teach parents how to work on their own infants, which is a great bonding experience and may help parents relieve colic and help their babies sleep better. For special populations or conditions, such as pregnancy or geriatric massage, the application of techniques needs to be modified to suit the needs of the client.

Sports massage therapy consists not only of Swedish techniques, but also of stretching, including “active inhibition” techniques, and can be performed either pre or post-event. Sports massage therapy that is performed pre-event uses quick, rhythmic movements to warm up and stretch the muscles, preparing them for the demand to be placed on them. Post-event sports massage is slower and is done to relieve pain, swelling, assist in the removal of metabolic waste and to decrease recovery time. Massage therapy for athletes and fitness enthusiasts is also a great maintenance tool which can address muscular imbalances and injuries and help them achieve optimal performance.

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy basically consists of Swedish techniques which are used at a deeper level of the tissue. To perform any type of massage effectively, but especially deep tissue, the muscles must be warmed up at a superficial level to allow the therapist to go into the deeper layers and address restrictions found there. It is advisable for therapists who want to practice “deep tissue” to have a hi-lo table and get specialized training to help hem maintain their own body, back and joint health. It is advisable for new massage therapy clients to work up to a deep tissue type of therapy as it is not suitable for everyone and may be painful for someone who is not accustomed to manual therapy.

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy is also know as trigger point release. A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable area within a tight band of muscle. The goal of this therapy is to reduce or remove the trigger point, thus alleviating pain. Referral pain often has a very specific pattern depending on the muscle in which it is found, and can often present in a seemingly unrelated area. Trigger point therapy is integrated into Swedish massage treatments which assists in warming up and stretching the tissue pre and post release respectively.

Frictions or Friction therapy is a very localized, specific technique used to break down adhesions and scar tissue which may cause pain and inhibit movement. Friction therapy is not used alone, but is integrated into a routine where Swedish techniques are used to warm up the tissue and to aid circulation to remove metabolic waste post friction.

Myofascial release therapy, also called fascial release, consists of manipulation and stretching of the fascia – connective tissue which encases muscles, nerves, organs and bones in the body. To properly anchor and engage the tissue, no oil or other mediums are used, as “glide” over tissue is ineffective in most myofascial techniques.

Manual lymph drainage, also called lymphatic, lymph or lymphedema massage, is a series of gentle movements used to stimulate the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body, thereby relieving pain and congestion. This type of therapy is perfect to assist in the reduction of swelling post injury, and is also used to reduce swelling post surgery. MLD, as it is commonly known, is also used with great success for women who have a mastectomy, however, special training is required for therapists to treat when lymph nodes have been removed.

In most massage therapy training, the focus is primarily on Swedish techniques, but the above modalities may be learned as an adjunct to Swedish massage, or as continuing education.

Active release is a patented therapy which encompasses various movements while tissue is being manipulated. The term “active” refers to the fact that the patient voluntarily contracts his or her muscles as techniques are applied. This therapy requires specialized training and certification.

Craniosacral Therapy – is a gentle manual therapy developed by William Garner Sutherland, a student of Osteopathy, in the early 1900’s. Craniosacral therapy, or CST, is believed to work by addressing soft tissue restrictions around the central nervous system, which in turn affect the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. Craniosacral therapy often relieves pain, induces deep relaxation and may encourage a more restful sleep.

Shiatsu is a manual therapy originating in Japan, and consists of finger pressure along various meridian or energy points throughout the body. Shiatsu is believed to work by removing any blockages along the meridians so energy travels more freely and the body can function normally.

Jodi Forsythe has been a Massage Therapist since 2000, and created WhyMassageTherapy.com as an online resource for all things concerning massage therapy.

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In my San Antonio Massage Therapy and Bodywork practice, Massage By Ben, I answer each and every one of these questions by saying “You should come in every day”. My answer is, of course, tongue-in-cheek. I then explain that getting massage therapy everyday would be nice but unnecessary and maybe cost prohibitive. Further, when and how often you get massage therapy is based on the goals you would like to achieve with massage therapy. How we achieve your goals with massage therapy is a little more involved than just a simple Q&A in this article. That should be a live discussion between you and your Massage Therapist or Bodyworker, but what about the basic questions? Let’s answer those:

Q1. Should I get my massage therapy in the morning, afternoon, or evening? I don’t want to fall asleep at work, but I’d like to feel better during the day.

A1. A lot of people are concerned about this one, but you shouldn’t worry. Massage Therapy is relaxing and some people do fall asleep during the session, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be sleepy afterward. In fact many people feel more energized as well as relaxed after their massage therapy session. Still, no matter what time of day you get your massage you’ll probably sleep better when you do finally go to bed. So, get your massage therapy when it’s convenient for you.

Q2. Should I get my massage therapy before my muscular pain starts, or should I wait until it really hurts before I get massage therapy?

A2. In my experience it’s much better to get massage therapy to prevent muscular pain or prevent a recurrence of muscular pain. Some Massage Therapists and clients believe that waiting until you’re experiencing moderate pain allows them to find the source more easily; however, this is seldom true. Get help early.

Q3. Should I get massage therapy before, during, or after a workout or sporting event?

A3. Yes. There are specialized massage therapy techniques that are designed to assist you in your fitness and athletic endeavors. Sports Massage is often broken down into pre-event, inter-event, and post-event techniques to improve performance and aid in recovery. If you don’t have access to massage therapy during each phase of your activity just pick what’s most important to you – performance or recovery.

I still believe you should come in everyday if you can because if an “apple a day” is good then a “massage a day” is really, really good. Of course the benefits of massage therapy and bodywork are available to you even if you receive it only once.

Ben Crabtree is a Licensed Massage Therapist, and Certified Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. His practice is dedicated to relieving pain through the use of several massage and bodywork techniques. See his site MassageByBen.com or his blog.

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In massage therapy, a therapist conducts motion and muscle tests and proposes treatment plans such as soft tissue manipulation, hydrotherapy, remedial exercise programs and client self-help programs. Most therapists also provide courses of treatment for medical conditions and injuries, and may work with other healthcare professionals as part of a team to promote health and overall wellness.

Most massage therapy has developed from a number of sources and there are an estimated 150 types of massage therapy that one can try. Some of the popular massage therapies are breema, chair massage, Chinese Tui Na massage, deep muscle therapy, deep tissue massage, foot or sole massage, traditional Hawaiian massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, scalp massage, stone massage, Thai massage, and Swedish massage, among others. Most therapy massages can be performed with pressure ranging from superficial to deep; however, an ideal therapeutic massage can be identified when a receiver experiences some discomfort, activating the body’s natural healing response. Although most therapeutic massage leaves some soreness, it is recommended to check with your therapist if the soreness lasts more than two or three days.

Massage therapy is an organized business and most countries have specific organizations that provide information regarding the therapy. In the US, the American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit professional organization of massage therapists in the country. One can also undertake a test to be a professional massage therapist, conducted by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

Massages provides detailed information on Massages, Full Body Massages, Massage Therapy, Foot Massages and more. Massages is affiliated with Massage Therapy Jobs [http://www.e-MassageTherapy.com].

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Massage therapists can benefit from learning different specialized massage techniques to better serve their clients who may range from geriatric patients to baby boomers and infants. To much of the general public, the thought of massage therapy involves a pampering treatment designed to relax them. People are just beginning to realize some of the healing powers of massage as it is now being used more often in medicine.

As with any other profession, it is important to keep abreast of any new massage therapy training schools techniques and other information within your field. Just as doctors and other medical professionals receive constant updates regarding medical standards and discoveries, the professional massage therapist should also make certain that he or she has the most up to date information in their field.

Many massage therapists are now working with A shiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy which was developed by Ruthie Hardee in 1995. This technique treats the feet for pain and combines Swedish massage as well as deep tissue massage. The difference in this new technique from ordinary A shiatsu Oriental Therapy for the feet is that the therapist uses overhead bars for better balance during the massage therapy.

Other massage therapists are working with color therapy that is based upon using light as treatments. With color therapy, the massage therapist uses different colors to treat different parts of the body as each color works in a unique way and reacts differently to light.

Infant massage therapy has been used for years in hospitals and is now becoming more acceptable to the general public not only as a way of treating colic but to allow the baby to relax and go to sleep. Many parents can benefit from learning these techniques from a certified massage therapist.

Perhaps some people may benefit from the Rosen method of massage. This technique uses very light touching instead of deep massage and communication to help clients relax and release their stress. The Rosen technique has been practiced for years but many massage therapists are unaware of this effective therapy.

More massage therapists are now combining ancient Chinese treatments and practices along with their massage therapy techniques. Aromatherapy is now being used by many therapists as a way not only to relax their clients but to actually treat minor ailments.

Just as it is for any profession, it is important for a professional massage therapist to keep up with new techniques or technology that may enhance their performance. There are new products being produced to help massage therapists treat clients and these products are often demonstrated at trade shows or shown in trade publications.

Massage therapy is a very rewarding career for individuals who like to help people and have good communication skills. As it is being used more often as an alternative medicine, it is very important for a professional massage therapist to attend seminars and trade shows, keep up with the latest news in the field and learn any new techniques in massage therapy. The need for massage therapists has doubled in the past decade and is expected to grow as more of the general public are beginning to realize the value of this ancient way of healing ones body and mind.

Robert C. Vignoli has been a massage therapist for over 10 years. He currently co-owns Roman Paradigm Massage, but now he is helping to improve the massage industry by building a “hands off” massage business model. MassageSpace.net is the new MySpace for Massage Therapist, learn more @ http://www.think-diagonal.com

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Back massage therapy offers numerous benefits. While general massage is well known to stimulate blood flow to the muscles and provide relaxation and a pleasurable experience, it does not necessarily provide the therapeutic value required to provide chronic back pain relief sought by sufferers of the condition. Back massage therapy by a specialist however can bring about significant relief within weeks, when therapeutic back massage techniques are applied to combat both lower and upper back pain.

The positive results from back massage therapy can be multiplied when combined with complimentary treatments such as Chiropractic, Physical Therapy or even Acupuncture. A multi discipline approach will work best when the therapists communicate with each other and ‘design’ a program of complimentary treatments to achieve chronic back pain relief through a synergistic approach.

Results can again be significantly improved with the patient taking personal responsibility and being proactive in achieving chronic back pain relief. This can be done with simple measures such as an improved diet, gentle exercise and stretching.

Benefits of Back Massage Therapy

• Massaging causes the muscles to become more relaxed which in turn increases their range of motion. This is an enormous benefit when tension of the muscles causes a restriction in movement. Relaxed muscles also help to reduce insomnia.

• Improved blood supply to the muscles assists with the recovery of muscular soreness from physical activity.

• Massage increases endorphin levels in the body. This is highly beneficial as endorphins are the ‘feel good’ chemicals produced naturally by our bodies. Heightened endorphin levels assist in dealing with chronic back pain.

Precautions

Take note that when receiving massage therapy for the back, the pressure applied during the massage should evoke a response of relaxation in the muscles. If this does not occur the muscles may be inflamed possibly due to an acute injury of the muscle. In this case massage therapy should be put off until the inflammation subsides and it may be advised to consult a doctor.

For best results, muscle spasms generally require four massage treatments, commonly spread over six weeks. Should the muscle spasms not respond to therapy after two massages, it may be advisable to seek an alternative therapy.

Back massage techniques are highly effective in the treatment of chronic back pain, however if the pain is severe it is recommended to first undergo a complete medical check-up prior to beginning a program of back massage therapy.

Conclusion

For those seeking chronic back pain relief there is a wide variety of treatment options available both in conventional medicine and alternative therapies. Whatever your preference of treatment, back massage therapy can be a highly beneficial partner in your quest for relief.

Arthur Bakeright is a qualified but non practicing massage therapist and avid traveler. He now writes extensively on both massage and travel.

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