Massage Therapy is one of the many concepts under Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), an umbrella term for treatment practices that fall outside the scope of conventional medicine.

Alongside, acupuncture, homeopathy and hypnotherapy, a massage therapy is part of a health care system that we resort to — thereby gaining an alternative medicine connotation and as a compliment to medical procedures to alleviate our wellness.

A massage can be part of physical therapy or practiced on its own, but nevertheless, a massage is always about pressure. By definition, it is the treatment of the soft body tissues by manipulating it with structured, unstructured, stationary or non-stationary pressure, and motion or vibration to enhance the body systems function and promote relaxation and wellbeing.

When massaging, a masseur, a message therapist, or a physical therapist can put pressure on your body’s target tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints or other connective tissues using manual or mechanical aid. Manual application of pressure uses hands, fingers, elbows, forearm and feet while mechanical aids include tools like aromatic candles, body scrubs, oils or stones, depending on which type of massage it is.

Physical Therapy or Massage

Many are confused as to the relationship of both, or whether they are just the same. Physical therapy or physiotherapy and massage therapy are totally different concepts of complimentary and alternative medicine, but it is, indeed, true that both share the same process of manipulating pressure to the body.

Physiotherapy is a concerned with the management and prevention of movement disorders and can only be performed by a registered physiotherapist or a physical therapist assistant.

This type of therapy requires healthcare standards as it compliments a medical procedure unlike a therapeutic massage that primarily promotes relaxation. As an example: a physiotherapist performs calisthenics to a hospital patient in comatose, or a specialized massage therapy for those who have been injured physically (though it is commonly known as a chiropractor and the likes), while a massage therapist performs a full body massage to someone who is in need of mascular relaxation.

Benefits of Massage

But a massage therapy is not just about relaxation. A therapeutic massage alleviates or subdues stress — covering physical, mental, and emotional state. The benefits of a therapeutic massage are extensive, thereby, being advantageous to our different systems in the body such as nervous, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) system and muscular systems.

Massage therapy is highly beneficial to our internal body systems — muscular, cardiovascular, endocrine and respiratory systems. Below are few of the benefits of massage physically:

• Relieves muscle tension and tired, overused muscles
• Fosters faster healing of strained muscles
• Alleviates arthritis pain
• Reduces muscle cramps and spasms
• Increases joint flexibility resulting to enhanced athletic performance
• Improves body posture
• Improves blood circulation
• Reduces blood pressure
• Helps in releasing endorphins or amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller
• Promotes tissue regeneration
• Reduces pain, swelling and formation of excessive scar tissue, stretch marks
• Improves the condition of the skin making it more glowing and toned
• Promotes easier breathing
• Relieves eye-strain caused by exposure to computers, TVs, and too much reading

Mental and Emotional Benefits of Massage Therapy

Aside from the physical and anatomical benefits, massages provides mental and emotional benefits – this is obviously rampant as a “provided services” to health spas, massage parlors, and even beauty shops; all of which promoting a sense of relaxation and well-being.

• Relieves tension-related headaches, and migraines
• Calms the nervous system
• Fosters peace of mind
• Lessens depression
• Promotes mental alertness
• Relieves mental stress
• Enhances creativity
• Emotional stability
• Fosters a feeling of wellbeing
• Reduces levels of anxiety
• Increases awareness of mind-body connection

Special Benefits and Profound Effects of Massage Therapy

• Assists with shorter and easier labor for expectant mothers
• Asthmatic children shows better pulmonary function
• Demonstrates lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and stress hormones
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention (bloating) and cramping
• Preterm infants have improved weight gain
• Strengthens the immune system and the lymphatic system

Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch to lessen the tensions of modern lifestyles. And consequently, the medical community is actively embracing massage therapy and other complimentary and alternative medicine as an integral part of hospice care and natal care.

Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits

Getting a massage on a timely basis can do even more good for you. It is recommended to visit professional services at least once a week for a full body massage. Taking part in this self-care plan can play a huge part in the future. The results will even be more noticeable with each passing months. You shouldn't get a massage if you have a fever, infections, inflammation, osteoporosis and other medical conditions like Scoliosis, etc…

And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic. If you have any questions about whether a full body massage would be right for you because of an existing medical condition, ask to speak to a massage therapist before you make your appointment.

Source of information: Charlie Angeles | www.amazines.com