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Massage Therapy

Massage is a form of hands-on therapy used to promote relaxation, relief from muscle pain, and reduction of stress. It refers to any manipulation of the soft tissues, which includes many different styles of practice from both the Eastern and Western traditions.

The Origins of Massage Therapy

Some form of bodywork has been practiced throughout human history, as evidenced by cave paintings of tissue manipulation from 15,000 BC. Massage itself has been used as a form of healthcare for at least the past 5000 years: ancient Chinese medical texts, as well as writings of the ancient Greek physician, Hippocrates, contain references to its therapeutic effects. Roman Emperor Julius Caesar is said to have received daily massages to treat his epileptic seizures.

Per Henrik Ling, from Sweden, is credited with creating and popularizing the modern, Western version of massage therapy in the early 19th century, now known as Swedish massage. In 1813, Ling established the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute to teach his methodology. Swedish massage was brought to the U.S. following the Civil War and was popular for many years. Until the 1950s, massage therapy was a typical form of rehabilitation in U.S. hospitals.

There are many styles of massage and each offers something very different to clients. The following outlines some of the most common forms of massage therapy:

Swedish massage: the most common style of massage. It is used to promote relaxation, relieve tension, and increase circulation and flexibility. Swedish massage incorporates five basic strokes: long strokes, kneading , friction, vibration, and percussion. This style of massage manipulates the upper layers of musculature.

Sports massage: This style of massage is essentially the same as a Swedish massage, but tailored for athletes. It aims to ease stiff joints and restore joint motility. A sports massage can be useful before a sporting event to enhance performance and prevent injury, or after a sporting event to prevent muscle soreness.

Esalen massage: Another form of Swedish massage. The strokes in an Esalen massage are slow and rhythmic and are combined with rocking and stretching. Often Esalen massages involve soothing music. (Find a massage therapist who practices Esalen.)

Deep tissue massage: This style of massage uses more pressure than Swedish massage to target deeper muscles and tissues. The provider may use his or her fingers, hands, and elbows to massage your body. This style of massage is recommended for tight muscles or lower back pain. It is sometimes painful and can make you sore, especially the first time you receive a deep tissue massage.

Neuromuscular massage: This is a form of deep tissue massage that targets specific muscles to reduce pain and muscle spasms. It can also be helpful in relieving nerve pressure and enhancing circulation.

Lymphatic massage: This style of massage focuses on the flow of lymph through your body. Lymph is a fluid that flows through the body, removing blood proteins and excess water from intercellular spaces. While your lymph is sluggish, these excess proteins and water can cause your cells to become oxygen deprived. During a lymphatic massage, the practitioner will lightly stroke the areas around the major lymph nodes (neck, armpits, groin, etc.)

Hot stone massage: This form of massage uses heated river rocks (made of basalt) to relieve tension in your muscles. The heat of the stones warms and relaxes the muscles, allowing the practitioner to apply deeper pressure. The warmth also helps to improve circulation.

Massage therapy falls under the umbrella of bodywork, a loose term that encompasses a wide variety of other treatments. These include shiatsu, tui na, Thai massage, reflexology, reiki, Alexander technique, Rolfing, Aston patterning, Feldenkrais, and Pilates. Click on one of the links to learn more about these options.

Massage therapists see clients in a variety of settings, including private offices, hospitals, sports facilities, spas, private homes. At the beginning of the session, the massage therapist will likely ask you some questions about your medical history and why you have chosen to have a massage. He or she might also perform an evaluation of your body by feeling for areas of tension.

For your comfort and because many massage therapists use oils to reduce friction, you will likely be asked to undress before the actual massage. The massage therapist will leave the room while you undress and you will lie down on a table, under a sheet. Only the area being worked on will be uncovered.

The massage therapist will use one or more of the techniques described above to manipulate your tissues. This will likely be relaxing and you might even fall asleep. However, some forms of massage, such as deep tissue and hot stone, require feedback from you so that the therapist can adjust the treatment based on your response.

Massages can last anywhere from 30-90 minutes, and typically cost between $50 and $100.

Because massage improves circulation and reduces muscular tension, it can help with a variety of physical and emotional problems. Some common reasons people choose to have a massage are: stress, tension headaches, and injuries. However, massage can also help improve your range of motion and flexibility, skin health, and breathing quality. It also may help treat high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); raise self esteems in those with eating disorders; improve hormone regulation; and boost immune function.

For healthy pregnant women, the American Pregnancy Association recommends prenatal massage to reduce stress, decrease depression, relieve muscle aches, and improve labor. It is also indicated that massage can help regulate pregnancy hormones, reduce swelling of the joints, improve nerve pain, and alter sleep quality. Often prenatal massage is a variant of Swedish massage on a special table with a hole for the belly. The American Pregnancy Association also cautions that pregnant women should be careful to find a practitioner familiar with prenatal massage, as certain pressure points in the ankles and wrists can stimulate early contractions. Many massage therapists also refuse to treat a women in her first trimester. Consult with your OB/GYN before beginning any new therapeutic practice.

There are over 1500 massage therapy schools in the U.S. Many of these programs are approved by state boards or by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation. In these schools, students learn hands-on techniques as well as information about the body, and issues concerning ethics.

Currently, 43 states and Washington D.C. have licensing requirements, which require between 300-1000 hours of training. Within the other 7 states, many cities and counties have their own licensing procedures. Upon receipt of a license, a practitioner can refer to himself or herself as a licensed massage therapist (LMT) or licensed massage practitioner (LMP).

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) also certifies massage therapists and other bodyworkers. In order to become certified, as massage therapist must complete at least 500 hours of instruction and pass the NCBTMB exam. In addition, to remain certified, he or she must complete continuing education credits. Some certified practitioners append CMT, NCTMB, or NCTM to their names to indicate that they're certified. However, the most accurate way to know if a practitioner is certified is to look him or her up in the NCBTMB directory