Massage Therapy is a kind of body work that improvises any kind of function within the body by use of hand in different technical ways. Massage therapy helps in manipulating the soft body tissues in order to enhance health of an individual. It is a very old form of medical art work that has cured many diseases and illness of human bodies. There are several types of massage therapy, which includes different techniques however it is divided into two fundamental categories rehabilitative massage and relaxation massage. Medical practitioners in medical offices or clinics mostly perform rehabilitative massage. Most of the time massage therapy is useful for spinal manipulation that are rendered by massage therapists or chiropractors. Massage therapy is also rendered by physical therapists in many countries. However, different types of massage parlors and spas most commonly use the other category of massage therapy, which is relaxation massage. Both types of massage therapies can help in the improvement of physical health in humans. Massage therapy helps to reduce pain that is caused by repetitive motion and over work. Massage therapy is also useful because it helps in reducing different types of stress that can cause disorders either physical or mental. Massage therapy was a common practice to treat illness in China and Japan and later on it spread to the rest part of the world in different forms. There are some theorists who have given refuting statements regarding this therapy mentioning the usefulness of medicines however, massage therapy has its own importance in human life, and is the oldest and greatest treatment in medical science.
Massage therapy has come a Chinese health treating system. In early ages there were few methods of...
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...of massage therapy. Massage therapy does not have any negative impacts on muscle or tissues. It instead boosts up the movement of body fluids which, in turn helps to keep the body healthy and fit. Muscle therapy also has a positive impact on any kind of stress on the brain. Because of massage negative stress can be minimized and allows the ability of the brain to work properly.
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Massage therapy is used to treat Raynaud’s disease by treating the fascia tissue of the affected and surrounding areas (Walton 2007). Tension is provoked with chronic conditions or stress that causes the pliability of the fascia to diminish which causes restriction on the blood flow to the limbs. Any restriction in one area of the fascia can hinder blood flow in other regions. Waltons et al. (2007) used massage therapy in a six week study of a female patient with Raynaud’s disease. This study was done in the winter months when Raynaud’s disease effects are at their peak (Walton 2007). Data on daily habits was acquired for three weeks for post therapy comparison. The patient then received five, 45 minute massage therapy treatments for three weeks. The massages focused on the fascia in the arms, neck and back. Massage therapy was found to decrease duration of vasospasms and pain (Walton 2007).
During the early 1900s, the practice of medical science became accepted in our society. Many of the Swedish massage was mingled in with those of medical doctors and medical practices. (A type of “mechano-therapy” emerged of a combination with other therapist preformed by a physician or a nurse’s assistant.) Over time, these practices were absorbed into what would be general medicine. In the 1920s Masseurs and Masseuses had lost most of their market to doctors. They mainly found work with wealthy individuals who wanted a general, relaxing form of massage. After World War ll, a group of massage operators formed the American Association of Masseurs and Masseuses. This later became the forerunner of today’s American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The goal of these associations is to raise the status of massage as a unique and effective treatment for healing. In the 1980s the AMTA was formed. The first thing they did was establish a code of ethics and change their titles from masseurs and masseuses to massage therapist. Now the profession of massage is enjoying renewed vigor and influence in alternative medicine. Recent trends have pointed the continuing promise and growth of massage therapy as a health care career.
One of the most relaxing forms of martial arts, T'ai Chi, can help to overcome such problems as arthritis, rheumatism, back problems, lack of balance, high blood pressure, stress, post-traumatic stress, lack of energy, and more. T'ai Chi is a non violent form of the martial arts whose roots are derived from the Chinese and correlated with Traditional Chinese Medicinal techniques. There are many forms of T'ai Chi, including T'ai Chi Chuan and T'ai Chi Chih; all of which have been studied for thousands of years to improve the Chinese way of life. There have been many records of the origin of T'ai Chi reaching as far back as over 3500 years ago. In addition to a Chinese Martial Art, T'ai Chi has origins related to Taoism, which revolved around calmness, "tranquillity of mind," and the improvement of health and persona (wysiwg://25/http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/tai-chi.html). Monks employed T'ai Chi as means of be coming more in tune with their bodies and their environment. Therefore, this martial art helped them to "defend themselves against bandits and warlords through physical health and spiritual growth" (http://www.maui.net/~taichi4u/overview.html).
Kolcaba, K., Dowd, T., Steiner, R., & Mitzel, A. (2004). Efficacy of hand massage for enhancing the comfort of hospice patients. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 6(2), 91-102. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=12&sid=2de162ef-afff-4a48-8415-83dcedf9530a%40sessionmgr110&hid=104
Touch is as essential to a healthy and happy life as eating right, getting proper sleep, and exercising. With the world growing more technological, the need for healthy human contact is more important than ever. Massage and body therapies are an age old healing refuge for us in this fast-paced, stressed-out world. The practice of massage therapy is rapidly growing in the United States. It has so much to offer and is becoming more widely accepted by doctors and the general public. Massage is touching another person by such movements as rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping, and tapping. This type of therapy provides circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, relief from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and many other benefits both physical and mental. There is much historical evidence to indicate that massage is one of the earliest remedies for pain relief and for the restoration of a healthy body. It is said to be the most natural and instinctive means of relieving pain and discomfort. Massage has proven to be an effective method for treating many conditions for thousands of years and it will continue to be used for thousands of years to come. Massage therapy is a great treatment for the body and soul.
The application of massage to promote comfort and healing is not a new concept. According to Moyer, Rounds, and Hannum (2004) the practice of MT is traceable back to Ancient Greek and Chinese cultures, as well as Hindu, Japanese and Roman cultures. As early as 400 BC, Hippocrates used rubbing to treat patience with stiffness and even earlier still; the use of MT is recorded in the Chinese tradition as early as the second century (Field, 1998). Although considered a part of...
What is massage therapy you might ask? The title for it explains almost the entire career. Massage therapist help their customers by using the manipulative skill of touching to relieve pain stress, and many other discomforting factors. As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) state, therapists help rehabilitate injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in the general wellness of clients. Therapists also soften issues of the body and knead muscles. They promote general wellness and provide treatment for injuries. Massage therapists may use lotions and oils and massage tables or chairs as Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014) writes. Massages can last as short as 5-10 minutes or even longer than an hour. These are
Massage therapy brings an incredible amount of benefits. From the heart and organs to nerves and muscles, the entire body can see the impact of massage's health benefits.
Massage has been practiced through many centuries and has been used for a number of reasons from medical treatments to general relaxation therapies. Lots of styles have been developed throughout the years and therapists have adapted their personalised treatments using routines, methods and mediums to create the effects and feelings that they are looking to achieve for their clients. Massage includes the therapist using mainly their hands, elbows and arms to manipulate the body’s muscle tissues. There are many types of massage however the main one we have looked at as a class is Swedish massage. This form of massage includes five main movement groups. These groups include effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration and friction. Each of these movements can be used in many different ways to create specific effects and benefits for the individual client. Effleurage consists mainly of light, long, sweeping movements allowing the hands to softly run over the surface of the skin. This movement is used for application of mass...
On Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Overview and Alternative Therapy. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 18(4), 20-36. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/docview/1114602433
Reflexology is a technique where pressure is applied to the feet, ears, and hands which results in pain relief and relaxation. The pressure that is applied to these areas are thought to correspond to various organs and systems in the body. A licensed reflexologist typically performs this practice. Although, chiropractors, physical therapist, and massage therapist have been known to perform this technique as well. Reflexologist utilize many tools to aid in patient relief; rubber balls, sticks of wood, and rubber bands. (3) Those who seek reflexologist are dealing with stress or pain from a recent injury. The known benefits of this form of health care is reduction of pain, anxiety and depression.(2) Research is being done to look
What’s the easiest and quickest way to take a mini-vacation, and feel totally rejuvenated, renewed and rewarded? Do you want a well paying job that can give this feeling to you and your clients? If so I have the perfect job for you. But before I start to tell you about it you have to have an open mind and realize this job does take some work. I’m going to tell you some of the things you might have to do, the reasons its a growing industry, places you can get this job, the wages, the amount of education you need and where to get it, the curriculum of the schools, some of the skills you need, and how to start preparing for this job now. Of course, you want to know the career I’m talking about! It’s massage therapy! I know, I know, your probably thinking so I rub someone’s back big whoop! But there’s more to massage therapy than that.
Massage Therapy The practice of massage therapy is rapidly growing in the United States. It has numerous benefits to offer and is becoming more widely accepted as a medical practice by doctors and the general public. Massage is defined as: …the systematic manual or mechanical manipulations of the soft tissues of the body by such movements as rubbing, kneading, pressing, rolling, slapping, and tapping, for therapeutic purposes such as promoting circulation of the blood and lymph, relaxation of muscles, relief from pain, restoration of metabolic balance, and other benefits both physical and mental (Beck 3). There is much historical evidence to indicate that massage is one of the earliest remedies for pain relief and for the restoration of a healthy body.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Introduction [NCCAM Backgrounder]. (n.d.).National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM] - nccam.nih.gov Home Page. Retrieved December 11, 2011, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/chinesemed.htm
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.