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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Massage therapy is applied to manipulate joints and the soft tissue of the body. Soft tissues include tendons and associated fascia, skin, ligaments and muscles.

Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced by the celebrated Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian civilizations.

4700 years ago, ancient eastern Chinese practiced massage to heal a variety of ailments from paralysis to labour pains. Ayurvedha, a traditional form of Indian medicine uses a variety of aromatherapy oils and spices to give massage therapy.

Introduced in 19th century, the Swedish massage is the most practiced form in western culture. The Swedish therapy is said to have borrowed many of the techniques from Rome, Greece, Egypt and China.

In western hospitals, soldiers who fought in World War I were administered massage for nerve damage and to soothe shell shock. Many of our now popular modern massage techniques were created in order to heal specific health conditions.

When massage therapy is given to a person, many different physiological effects are achieved while the therapist’s hands move over the body. The different movements can physically stretch tendons and fascia, ligaments and muscles. Massage therapy also encourages the circulation through the tissue, inhibits muscular spasms and can be either stimulating or sedating to the nervous system.

Health problems can benefit from massage therapy since the manipulation of soft tissues affects many of our bodily systems.

Benefits from massage therapy are extensive. Massage therapy treatment can develop, rehabilitate or augment physical function. Relief from physical dysfunction and pain can also be achieved. Tightened and tense muscles can be relaxed. Massage therapy also improves the recovery time, circulation and immune system function. It creates a sense of relaxation and well being, reduces stress and controls acute or chronic pain by massage therapy.

Today, massage therapy is used for treating a wide range of ages – from senior to babies in a variety of intensive care, health club, and health clinic and hospital settings.

To get even glide and a smooth workability, oils are applied in massage therapy. Some popular oils used are Almond oil, Grapeseed oil, Apricot oil, Avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Wheat germ oil and Hazelnut oil.

Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author. Find more articles here. For more info visit Therapy Resource [http://onlinetherapyresource.info] or Massage Therapy [http://onlinetherapyresource.info/massage-therapy.html]

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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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They are all ailments with symptoms that can be treated or lessened by the correct applications of massage therapy!

Once considered to be an “alternative” medicine practice, working much like a placebo drug, massage therapy is continuing to acquire legitimacy. It is now regarded as a solution to a vast array of medical problems and symptoms. This has resulted in an increased demand for trained therapists. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that jobs in this field will increase faster than average among all occupations through the year 2016. Some of these new jobs will be in medical clinics, health spas, and nursing homes. Other professionals will begin their own practices, and will be able to look forward to setting their own hours.

Massage has enjoyed a long history as a treatment for ills. For example, ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations used this technique to treat ailments, and it was popular among ancient Greeks and Romans, as well. This form of therapy did not become popular in the United States until the 19th century, however — and even then, was regarded as charlatan medicine in some circles. After that point, new medical advancements and better understandings of the mind-body connection allowed this practice to gain in legitimacy, until it was recognized as a valid treatment for a number of conditions.

Several uses of massage therapy

Because massage works to manipulate muscle groups and ease tensions, aches, and pains, it can work as a treatment for anxiety and general irritability. Anxiety is often accompanied by the release of cortisol in the body, causing sufferers to feel physically out-of-sorts. This can lead to irritability – and the process works the other way, with irritability begetting anxiety. By relieving feelings of tension and stress, massage therapy helps patients to feel better all over. As stress levels decline, so, too do cortisol levels, allowing patients who seek massage therapy to feel better all over.

This therapy can also work to treat mild to moderate depression. Depression has many causes; some are organic and some are environmental. Daily life stressors, as well as major life events, such as job change or a death in the family, can exacerbate depression and its symptoms. Massage therapy helps depression sufferers to relax, so they can better sort out their thoughts and feelings. While this treatment is by no means a cure for depression, it can help patients calm down and regain a sense of control over their feelings, moods, and even lives. The immediate results — lower anxiety levels, and improved sleeping and eating patterns – help patients to feel hopeful again.

Digestive disorders are another reason why patients might seek massage to feel better. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) — which causes abdominal pain and irregular bowel patterns involving constipation and diarrhea — is an ailment comprised of physical and psychosomatic components. While some symptoms can be controlled by diet or by medication administered during an attack, this illness, too, can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, and tension. Massage enables IBS patients to relax, leading some to see a reduction in painful and inconvenient symptoms.

Conditions common to adult Americans in the 21st century include high blood pressure and adult-onset, or Type 2 diabetes. While these sorts of conditions are not immediately fatal, they can cause serious secondary complications as affected patients age. High blood pressure and diabetic symptoms, both, are affected by stress levels, which massage therapy can effectively reduce. In the diabetic patient with circulatory problems, massage can also help to restore proper blood flow — however, care must be taken not to harm the patient further by using impatient or incorrect massage strokes. The treatment of diabetic circulatory problems is but one example of why patients with chronic medical conditions usually require the approval of a physician before undergoing massage therapy treatments.

Athletes, pregnant women, and the elderly can all also benefit from this therapu. Pregnancy massage is a specialized category of massage, and can be beneficial in reducing some of the uncomfortable side effects of pregnancy, such as mood swings, hip pains, and soft-tissue swelling. Care must be taken not to injure the woman or upset her circulation, so this type of massage is best left to a trained professional. Elderly persons often seek massage therapy for arthritis, or aging-related aches and pains. These patients can be frail, and are more likely than younger patients to suffer from other medical conditions and complications, so therapy for this population should only be performed by professionals skilled in elder treatments.

Massage for athletes is similar in that it must be performed to relieve the stress and pain of sprains, contusions, and other injuries — without making present injuries worse. This therapy for athletes can be performed in tandem with treatment by an athletic trainer, orthopedic specialist, sports medicine physician, or physical therapist. It might be recommended as part of a long-term care strategy for athletes suffering from recurring injuries or even performance anxiety. Sometimes, massage therapists interested in working with athletes train concurrently in sports medicine or sports rehabilitation therapy specialties.

Massage has come a long way since its ancient roots and 19th century status in America. Now recognized as a legitimate solution to physical and psychological ailments, it is a career field showing tremendous promise.

Located in Cerritos, California, within the Los Angeles County area, Fremont College has a 10-month diploma program providing training for the massage therapy certificate [http://www.fremont.edu/programs/massage-therapy.htm] and a two-year AS degree program in sports and rehabilitation therapy [http://www.fremont.edu/programs/sports-and-rehabilitation-therapy.htm]. The Fremont College Web site has more information about these programs, and other professional programs of study.

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1. Stay focused

It’s easy to become distracted sometimes when you work from home doing massage therapy. It’s too easy to say “Oh I’ll just get a cup of coffee” whilst writing your all-important massage business plan. When things are difficult or challenging in your massage therapy practice you can easily head straight for the comforts of your home and not go back to the important tasks at hand. In a massage therapy clinic away from home, you can become more focused and can get more done than at home for this very reason. No distractions and nothing to use as an excuse to distract you from something you’d much rather not do.

If possible have your massage therapy treatment room away from the main living areas. If you have a spare room as far away from the rest of house as possible then it will prove not only quiet but less distraction should prevail.

2. Set your hours.

While working from home gives you more freedom over the booked massage therapy treatments, it also gives you more room to become lapse at keep up with other tasks that are important such as bookkeeping, keeping up to date with client history files, washing towels, cleaning down the room from the days activities. So try to set strict working hours for certain tasks. Since you are seeing more people during the day and most likely in the evenings too, make sure you allocate the next morning to catch up on all these other tasks that are essential to running your massage business.

3. Getting It Clear With Family.

As great as they are, family need to understand your working boundaries. It’s too easy for the kids to knock on your door whilst doing a massage or trying to get your massage therapy client records up to date. Your family need to be fully aware (emergencies excepted of course) that you are not to be disturbed during certain allocated working hours. You can say that between 7pm and 8.30pm you need to be undisturbed after you finish treating clients for the day. That way you can get all those things done that you don’t get time to do during the day when treating clients.

4. Adhere to that massage therapy business plan.

A massage therapy business plan is a working progress of what direction you are going in your massage therapy business. It’s a map to achieving your goals and attaining the massage therapy business you would love to have in your life. A massage therapy business plan is not just something you write on your computer because you’ve been told you should. A massage therapy business plan, if done with heartfelt joy for your massage therapy business, is fun, colourful and enjoyable. It should be a plan of what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Its your own personal guide to your success.

Working from home can be great fun and very relaxing. It gives you complete control over your environment and can give you many years of enjoyment. Always remember to put it into perspective and avoid the saboteurs.

Good luck!

Amy Roberts

http://www.massagetherapymarketingsuccess.com

http://www.massagetherapysuccess.com

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