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Posted on: February 11, 2021
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, consisting primarily of hands on techniques such as applying fixed or movable pressure, holding and moving muscles and body tissues.
The purpose of massage is generally delivered to improve the flow of blood and lymph, to reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, to affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and the enhance tissue healing.
The term “massage therapy” includes many techniques. The most common type of massage therapy in Western Countries is the Swedish Massage. It is the core of the massage training program. Other styles include sports massage, clinical massage to accomplish specific goals such as releasing muscle spasms & muscle tension.
Touch is the fundamental medium of massage therapy. While massage can be described in terms of the type of techniques performed, touch is not used solely in a mechanistic way in massage therapy. Massage usually involves applying touch with some degree of pressure and movement. The massage therapist must use touch with sensitivity in order to determine the optimal amount of pressure to use for each person. For example, using too much pressure may cause the body to tense up, while using too little may not have enough effect. Touch that is used with sensitivity also allows the therapist to receive useful information through his/her hands about their clients body, such as locating areas of muscle tension. Touch is also a form of communication. Sensitive touch can convey a sense of caring to the person receiving the massage, enhancing the individual’s sense of self and well-being.
