What is the history of Massage?

The use of massage for healing purposes dates back 4,000 years in Chinese
medical literature and continues to be an important aspect of Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) today. A contemporary form of massage known as Swedish
massage was introduced to the United States in the 1850s. By the end of the 19th
century, a significant number of American doctors were practicing this manual
technique and the nation's first massage therapy clinics opened its doors to the
public.

In the early 20th century, the rise of technology and prescription drugs began to
overshadow massage therapy. For the next several decades, massage remained
dormant and only a few therapists continued to practice the "ancient" technique.
During the 1970s, however, both the general public as well as the medical
profession began to take notice of alternative medicine and mind-body therapies,
which thrust massage therapy back into the limelight. Today, there are more than
125,000 massage therapists practicing in the United States and their numbers are
growing rapidly to keep up with the more than 80 million massage therapy
appointments made every year.

Are there many types of massage?

There are nearly 100 different massage and body work techniques. Each technique
is uniquely designed to achieve a specific goal. The most common types practiced
in the United States include:


How does massage work?

When a practitioner massages soft tissue, electrical signals are transmitted both to
the local area and throughout the body. These signals help heal damaged muscle,
stimulate circulation, clear waste products via the lymphatic system, boost the
activity of the immune system, reduce pain and tension, and induce a calming
effect. They may also enhance a general sense of well-being by stimulating the
release of endorphins (natural pain-killers and mood elevators) and reducing levels
of certain stress hormones.
What happens during a massage therapy session?
At your first massage therapy session, the practitioner will ask you about any
symptoms you may have (like low back pain) and will also ask questions about
your medical history. The practitioner may also initiate a discussion about what you
expect to achieve from the massage session.

The therapist leaves the room while you undress and lay down on the massage
table. A sheet is used as a drape during the session and is moved only to expose the
part of the body being worked on at any given time. Massage oil or lotion is often
used to reduce friction between the practitioner's hands and your skin. The room is
kept warm and free of distractions. The therapist may have soft music playing in
the background and frequently asks whether he or she is applying too much or too
little pressure.

The manner in which a practitioner massages your body depends on the problem
being treated. A massage session can last from 15 to 90 minutes and may include a
schedule of follow-up visits, depending on the severity of your situation.

What is massage good for?

In general, massage is believed to support healing, boost energy, reduce recovery
time after an injury, ease pain, and enhance relaxation, mood, and well-being. In
addition to being of value for many musculoskeletal problems such as low back
pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and sprains and strains, massage may relieve
depression in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, ease chronic constipation
(when the technique is performed in the abdominal area), decrease swelling after a
mastectomy (removal of the breast), alleviate sleep disorders, and improve self-
image. In the workplace, massage has been shown to melt away stress and enhance
mental alertness.

Studies have found that massage relieves chronic back pain more effectively than
other treatments (including acupuncture and conventional medical care for this
condition with education via books and videos) and, in many cases, costs less than
other treatments for this common health problem. In addition, mothers and
newborns also appear to benefit from massage. Mothers trained to massage their
infants often feel less depressed and have a better emotional bond with their babies.
Newborns who receive massage from their mothers also tend to cry less, and are
more active, alert, and sociable. Premature babies who receive massage therapy
have been shown to gain weight faster than preemies who do not receive this type
of therapy. Infants who receive massage regularly may also sleep better, be less
gassy or colicky, and have better body awareness as well as more regular digestion.
Studies have also shown that massage may be an effective treatment for young
children and adolescents with a wide range of health problems including the
following:

Autism: Autistic children, who usually don't like being touched, show less autistic
behavior and are more social and attentive after receiving massage therapy from
their parents.

Atopic dermatitis/Eczema: Children with this scaly, itchy skin problem seem to
experience less redness, scaling, and other symptoms if receiving massage between
flares. Massage should not be used when this skin condition is actively inflamed.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Massage may improve mood in
children with ADHD and help them feel less fidgety and hyperactive.
Bulimia: Studies have shown that adolescents with this eating disorder feel less
depressed and anxious after receiving massage therapy.

Cystic fibrosis: Massage may reduce anxiety and improve respiration in children
with this lung condition.

Diabetes: Massage may help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce anxiety and
depression in children with diabetes.

HIV: In a small study, teenagers with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
showed improved immune function and diminished feelings of depression and
anxiety after receiving two massages per week for 12 weeks.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) have been
shown to experience less pain, morning stiffness, and anxiety as a result of massage
therapy.

Are there any risks associated with massage?
In general, massage is considered relatively safe. Pain or other rare negative side
effects are generally caused by an extremely vigorous massage technique.
Women should be very cautious about receiving massages during pregnancy. If you
are pregnant, be sure to find a therapist specifically trained to perform massages on
pregnant women.
Even though massage is a useful technique to help regulate blood sugar over time,
if you have diabetes you should check your blood sugar after a massage session
because it may be too low just following a treatment. Plus, if you have diabetes
and you are receiving massage on a regular basis, you should check your blood
sugar frequently to evaluate for any changes over time.

Should anyone avoid massage?
Massage should be avoided by people with congestive heart failure, kidney failure,
infection of the superficial veins (called phlebitis) or soft tissue (called cellulitis) in
the legs or elsewhere, blood clots in the legs, bleeding disorders, and contagious
skin conditions. If you have cancer, you must check with your doctor before
considering massage because you should not receive such treatments under certain
circumstances. For example, sometimes massage can damage tissue that is fragile
from chemotherapy or radiation treatments. People with rheumatoid arthritis, goiter
(a thyroid disorder characterized by an enlarged thyroid), eczema and other skin
lesions should not receive massage therapy during flare-ups. Experts also advise
that people with osteoporosis, high fever, few platelets or white blood cells, and
mental impairment, as well as those recovering from surgery, may be better off
avoiding massage. Also, be sure to let your massage therapist know any
medications you are taking as the treatment may influence absorption or activity of
both oral and topical medications.