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Massage is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, improve circulation and relieve tension. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therapeutic massage therapy" or manipulative therapy.
Most massage techniques involve the client being treated lying down on a massage table or in a massage chair; though there are a few exceptions, as with Thai massage (see below). Due to the necessary physical contact between the practitioner and the client or patient, care is taken to avoid causing sexual arousal. Although the massage subject is generally unclothed, their body is "draped" with towelA towel is a piece of absorbent fabric whose chief use is for drying objects, by drawing (usually water) from the object, into the fabric, through direct contact, with either a blotting or rubbing motion. Types of towels A bath towel is used for drying ons or sheets. This also helps keep the patient warm.
The genitalia or intimate parts of the body are not touched at all in legitimate therapeutic massage. The treatment may start with the client face up or down for the first part of the session: the client then rolls over (draped by the towels or sheets) for the second half of the session.
Good communication is essential to effective massage. As a client, it is good to communicate what you hope to get out of the session, for example relaxation or pain relief, full body massage or focus on a specific area, the amount of pressure that is comfortable for you, preferred techniques, and past medical history and current physical condition.
Most types of massage can be performed with pressure from superficial to deep. The ideal amount of pressure for therapeutic massage is when the receiver experiences some discomfort ("hurts good"). This activates the body's natural healing response. If it is too deep, the result may be another trauma to the body. Some soreness after the massage is OK if it lasts less than 1-2 days. If the soreness lasts longer, it usually means the massage was too deep.
There are well over 150 different types of massage therapy. Various styles of massage have developed from a number of sources.
This style utilizes long, flowing strokes. Pressure is mainly applied on the skin level. The main purpose is for relaxation by pushing around or kneading the muscle groups. Oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth pushing and pulling of the tissues. This style of massage is generally attributed to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics teacher Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839).
Deep tissue massage can be performed with most types of massage techniques. It is best to access deeper muscles by releasing the superficial muscles over them. Deep tissue massage is more effective when it is less painful as it avoids further trauma.
A trigger point is an area of a muscle that refers pain sensations to other parts of the body. Trigger Point Therapy applies pressure to these points leading to immediate release of tension and improved muscular functioning. This work is based upon the trigger point research and manuals of Dr. Janet Travell.
Sometimes this work is incorporated into other styles of massage therapy such as neuromuscular therapy (NMT).
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is used for pain relief and specific problems. Structural and postural imbalances are identified through an initial postural assessment. These are then addressed through systematic and site specific massage. NMT reduces pain, tension, postural imbalance, and lengthens and strengthens tissues. NMT was developed by Paul St. John .
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique (MAT) identifies postural distortions to improve and prevent pain conditions. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and myofacial techniques are used to lengthen tight/facilitated muscles while fiber activation techniques tone weak/inhibited muscles. MAT was developed by Erik Dalton.
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