Massage Therapy Essay

Massage Therapy According to Massage Today “Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old”. I feel that the benefit of rubbing aching muscles and hurt limbs comes to us as naturally as breathing air. Among its many purposes and advantages, massage soothes achy muscles, helps heal injuries, strengthens baby’s muscles and relieves stress. To me, massage is not only a way to soothe the muscles and relieve the everyday stresses of society, massage is a way to connect with others through the common practice of touch. We have needed touch in our lives since the first seconds after our birth, so it’s not surprising that we would seek out touch in the form of massage.

The first type is Swedish, this is the most common type of massage, to relax and energize you. Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension. A few techniques within a Swedish massage is circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, bending and stretching. Before and during your Swedish massage session, communication is encouraged with your professional massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs. The second type is Deep tissue, this is for muscle damage from an injury, such as whiplash or back strain. A deep tissue massage is very similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus of deep tissue massage is the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia. The third is Sports massage, this helps prevent athletic injury, keep the body flexible and help recovery. A sports massage is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. When performing a sports massage they are focused on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements. The sport massage helps athletes by reducing fatigue, it improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and helps with flexibility.

The Baltimore school of massage is a member of the Steiner Education Group (SEG), which operates massage therapy schools and skin care schools at thirty campuses in thirteen states. As stated on the Baltimore School of Massage website “Steiner Education Group is a subsidiary of Steiner Leisure Limited, which operates more than 200 spas on cruise ships and at resorts worldwide. Steiner spas, both on land and at sea, recruit from the Steiner Education Group schools”. As I looked throughout their website these are a few things that stand out to me, I can graduate in as little as seven in a half months, financial Aid is available, accredited massage therapy school accredited by ACCSC, hands-on experience in our public clinics. If I decided to do the day program which is where I will graduate in seven in a half weeks I will complete 750 Clock Hours and 37.5 Quarter Credits. I will be taught the basic massage theory and techniques, I will also learn acupressure, trigger point therapy, rehabilitation massage, and sport massage. A few examples of courses I will take while in this program is anatomy and physiology, Business and career development classes, as well as training in laws and regulations. Tuition for the Baltimore School of Massage would be around $12,632 this is not including books and supplies which is around $879.To enroll in to the Baltimore School of Massage the student must be the