From infancy to old age, massage has been found to enhance general health and well-being. Therapeutic massage has many applications and variations. Because it is used for health promotion as well as for its curative aspect, it can truthfully be said “if you have a body, you can benefit from therapeutic massage.”

Proven Effective

Many of the therapeutic effects of massage recognized by personal and clinical experience over the years have been supported by scientific research.1 In addition to the commonly known benefits of relaxation, improved circulation, and relief for muscle tension, new applications for therapeutic massage are surfacing in areas related to mental and emotional well-being, infant care, aging, and other special situations. Exciting new discoveries link touch in general, and therapeutic massage in particular, to improved immune system functioning.2

Many Benefits and Uses

Enhances General Health

Therapeutic massage can be an important component of your health maintenance or wellness plan. It helps keep the body and mind functioning optimally.

• Promotes well-nourished and healthy skin
• Improves circulation of blood and lymph
• Relaxes muscles and improves joint mobility
• Encourages general relaxation
• Improves immune system functioning
• Improves energy flow

Alleviates Problem Conditions

Therapeutic massage can help relieve certain common physical problems, and help bring the body back to optimal functioning.

• General muscular tension and aches
• Tension headaches
• Muscular back pain
• Poor circulation
• Stress and anxiety

Supports Your Fitness or Sports Program

Therapeutic massage can be an important adjunct to a fitness or sports program, helping you achieve your performance goals with minimum injury and pain.

• Relieves tired and sore muscles
• Helps improve flexibility
• Relaxes tight muscles
• Speeds recovery from strenuous physical exertion
• Reduces the anxiety of athletic competition

Combats the Negative Effects of Aging

Therapeutic massage is effective in combating the negative effects of aging noticed in the middle to late years of life. It helps keep body tissues and basic functions in a more youthful state.

• Enhances tissue elasticity and joint flexibility
• Improves blood and lymph circulation
• Promotes healthy and vibrant skin
• Improves immune system functioning
• Relieves muscle aches and stiffness

Relieves the Effects of Stress

Therapeutic massage helps balance the effects of stress in our lives, and avoid stress related disease and dysfunction.

• Triggers the Relaxation Response
• Relaxes tense muscles
• Reduces anxiety level
• Normalizes blocked energy flow
• Improves immune system functioning
• Restores a calm mind and feeling of well-being

Special Cases

Therapeutic massage can help in certain temporary or long-term situations which cause unique physical or mental challenges.

• For mothers-to-be during pregnancy
• For infants, especially premature and other developmentally challenged babies
• For the disabled, especially those on wheelchairs and others with challenging orthopedic conditions
• For the elderly

Complements Other Health Care.

Therapeutic massage is frequently used to enhance the beneficial effects of other types of healthcare.

• Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Chiropractic
• Psychotherapy

Especially Beneficial For...

Caregivers – for those who care for others, for example: mothers and fathers, teachers, recreation leaders, daycare workers, nurses, and health care workers of all kinds.

Physical workers – for those who stress their bodies in their work or trade, for example: construction workers, domestic and custodial personnel, truck drivers, postal workers, electricians, plumbers, painters, professional athletes, dancers, and musicians.

Desk workers – for those whose work involves long hours sitting at a desk using a computer, or talking on the telephone; or at a bench assembling parts, fixing things, or creating works of art.

Travelers – for those spending long hours sitting in an automobile, train or airplane, for example: commuters, sales people, business travelers, and vacationers.

Which Approach is Best for You?

There are several popular approaches or styles of therapeutic massage. Each one has its own unique character, focus, techniques, and theoretical base. Some are more effective for certain goals than others. How do you know which one is best for you?

Classic European massage is very versatile and forms the basis of many other approaches. Swedish and Russian styles are most common and contain the familiar long strokes, kneading, vibration, friction, and percussion techniques. It can be applied effectively for general relaxation, general health enhancement, sports massage, injury recovery and rehabilitation, and many other purposes.

Massage and bodywork forms of Asian origin include amma, acupressure, and shiatsu. The Asian styles are generally focused on energy flow according to the Chinese medical model. In acupressure and shiatsu the characteristic technique is finger pressure on individual points. The Ayurvedic medical model from India gives rise to other forms of body therapy, which incorporate theories of yoga and chakra energy flow. These are also used effectively for relaxation, general health enhancement, and remedial work.

In addition to the basic approaches described above, other forms of therapeutic massage and body therapies are available. Most experienced massage therapists use an eclectic approach and combine different forms of therapeutic massage in their sessions. Ask your massage therapist if the approach used is appropriate for your health goals.

Footnotes

1. A Physician’s Guide to Therapeutic Massage: Its Physiological Effects and Their Application to Treatment, by John Yates, Massage Therapists’ Association of British Columbia, 1990.

2. The Bodywork Knowledgebase; Practitioner’s Desk Reference, Volume 1 (1959-1988) Compiled by Richard van Why, 1989.

References

On the Newsstand

• Massage Magazine
• Massage Therapy Journal
• Natural Health; The Guide to Well-Being
• Prevention Magazine

In the Library or Bookstore

Frances M. Tappan, Healing Massage Techniques: Holistic, Classic, and Emerging Methods. San Mateo, CA: Appleton & Lange, 1988.

Prevention Magazine, Hands-On Healing: Massage Remedies for Hundreds of Health Problems. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1989