Introduction: Massage is a popular therapy used to relieve muscle tension, spasms, inflammation, fluid retention, aches, stiffness, and pain. Other benefits include improved circulation blood and lymph, general flexibility, range of motion, and increased tissue elasticity e.g. scar tissue. Massage improves circulation, which increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease. Massage therapy is the systematized manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing them. The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well being. Touch is the core ingredient of massage therapy and also combines science and art. Touch conveys a sense of caring, an important component in the healing relationship. Practitioners use a variety of physical methods including applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, or causing movement to the body. Therapists primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms, elbows, or feet. They learn specific techniques and use their sense of touch to determine the right amount of pressure to apply to each person and locate areas of tension and other soft-tissue problems.

Overview:

Work, family, relationships--all the facets of daily life--can bring about stress. Very often our bodies have pain such as neck aches, headaches, pain and numbness in hands and wrists, and low back pain. Overuse, repetitive movement, posture, injury, or disease can cause these pains. Massage can help reduce and/or eliminate chronic pain, brings relaxation and relief. It is a healing time-out from all the demands of your life.

As the therapist uses their hands or specialized tools to rhythmically knead, rub, and stroke (effleurage) muscles, circulation is stimulated. Blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients, and is key to helping muscles eliminate waste products such as lactic acid that may collect in muscles from spasms causing pain.

Following trauma, muscles may act as mini-splints to protect and limit motion, similar to a cast on a broken arm. A typical example is a person who uses a computer for a prolonged time period without taking a break to stretch the neck. The result: stiff neck, aching, even pain. Taking periodic breaks to rub (mini-massage) and stretch the neck will promote circulation to the muscles. When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasm. Massage is believed to positively affect everything from circulation to the body's metabolism.

Massage can be used to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. It has been incorporated into many health systems, and different massage techniques have been developed and integrated into various complementary therapies.

Origin:

The practice of massage has been used for thousands of years. As early as 2700 B.C., the Chinese text, The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, recommended that "breathing exercises, massage of the skin and flesh, and exercises of the hands and feet" should be used to treat paralysis, chills, and fever.

In 400 B.C., the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about the necessity for all physicians to use rubbing as a remedy, particularly to treat sports and war injuries. Ancient records from Japan also refers to massage therapy, and the technique is known to have been used by other cultures as well, including the Egyptians, Romans, and Arabs.

The roots of modern, science-based massage therapy begin with a Swedish fencing master and gymnastics instructor Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), who developed a therapeutic system that included both massage and exercise. In 1813, Ling established the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute where the program included what he called "medical gymnastics" and "Swedish movement cure” which later came to be known as Swedish massage.

Forms of common massage techniques: Today there are some 80 different types of massage and related forms of bodywork. What ever be the forms of massage, all of them work to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. They can be hence grouped as Massage for Relaxation and Pain Relief. Relaxation : Traditional massage therapy is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. Using oils or lotion, the therapist combines the following techniques: gliding, kneading, compression, stretching, and rocking, to design an individualized massage. We call this a relaxation treatment because it creates a state of general well-being and physical ease.

Today there are some 80 different types of massage and related forms of bodywork. What ever be the forms of massage, all of them work to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. They can be hence grouped as Massage for Relaxation and Pain Relief.

Relaxation : Traditional massage therapy is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. Using oils or lotion, the therapist combines the following techniques: gliding, kneading, compression, stretching, and rocking, to design an individualized massage. We call this a relaxation treatment because it creates a state of general well-being and physical ease.

Pain-Relief Therapy: Muscles that are chronically contracted create areas of tenderness that are sometimes called "trigger points." The muscle, because it is contracted, is shut down. The fresh blood can't get in and the waste can't get out. This irritates the surrounding nerves and causes pain and tenderness. Pain relief therapy focuses on these tender areas to soften the muscle, restore normal circulation and flush the waste out.

Various forms of massage include Acupressure, Reflexology, Reiki, Athletic Massage, Polarity Massage, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Swedish, Western Massage, Traeger Massage, and Watsu

Clinical Injury Massage: Combines a number of modalities to isolate, treat and restore proper movement to injured limbs by resisted stretching, trigger point therapy, cross fiber friction etc used on the specific points of distress. This helps relieve the restriction and restore full movement. A powerful coordinated approach, it looks not just where the pain has appeared but for the structural causes of pain.

Cross Fiber Frictioning: This focuses on treatment of soft tissue sprains and strains. When a muscle, tendon or ligament is overused or injured it can fray like a rope. The body sends mending fiber to the area, which fills and glues the fray. Unfortunately the fiber is indiscriminant and adheres to other surfaces, which can restrict movement. Cross fiber frictioning aligns the fiber with that of the mending soft tissue and releases the unwanted adhesions.

Chiropathy: Chiropractors have helped relieve and prevent people suffering from chronic and severe discomfort, both short and long-term, low back pain, neck pain, headaches, fatigue, vision problems, stiff neck, asthma, heart conditions, ulcers, whiplash and other forms of discomfort and injuries. chiropractic adjustments improve spinal alignment and function, they can also reduce stress and irritation of the spinal nerve roots, thereby promoting overall health and wellness.

Misalignment of the spine may result in nervous system dysfunction. Many symptoms occur from a malfunctioning of the vertebrae causing interference to nerve messages that run through your body and brain that cause irritation of the delicate nerves and arteries, causing pain. The chiropractor's "adjustment" is a special procedure used to correct and remove the vertebral complex. This results in the body being free of nerve interference and allows normal blood flow that helps the body – the nervous system controls function of virtually every cell, tissue, organ, and system of your body and maintain a state of health.

Myofascial Release: Also known as soft tissue mobilization, is a therapy used to release tension stored in the fascia. It interacts with the facial wrappings of the body. Fascias are sheets of fibrous tissue that encase and support muscles separating them into groups and layers. Fascia covers every muscle group, lines body cavities, and wraps the body just under the skin, somewhat like a mummy. Myofascial. Release works to free up tight fascia so that muscles have all their freedom of movement available. Tight fascia can restrict or skew muscle movement and cause diffuse areas of discomfort or pain. It includes skin rolling, facial teasing, and other noninvasive techniques. While not a deep tissue approach, its effects can be quite substantial. The techniques used in myofascial release relax muscle tension and break up facial adhesions.

Pre-natal Massage: This is focused on the specific muscular needs of pregnancy caused by the change in posture, length of ligaments, tension, and weight. The massage can include myofascial technique, circulatory work, acupressure, reflexology, and other techniques. Pre-natal massage decreases neck, back and joint pain; relieves muscle spasms and cramps, and sooths nerves. Special attention is made to body support and draping.

Reflexology: This is based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the body. With fingers and thumbs, the practitioner applies pressure to these points to treat a wide range of stress-related ailments.

Reiki: A Tibetan healing practice based on the principle of Universal Life Energy or Chi. Reiki is a healing approach that uses light touch through hands and visualization applied to the entire body, serving to align charkas and bring healing energy to organs and glands. It is used to relieve physical and emotional pain and promote spiritual clarity. T he practitioner, trained to access and serve as a channel for the life healing energy, uses a passive touch, which some clients experience with warmth or tingling. Reiki speeds the healing process and balances the body's energy.

Swedish Massage : This is the most popular form of massage used particularly to relieve muscle pain, reduce stress, and improve immune function. Often a lotion or oil is used to reduce skin friction. The overall goal is to relax muscles. It can also enhance respiratory function, reduce edema (swelling) due to blocked lymphatic vessels, and aid in the healing of soft-tissue injuries. The therapist combines light stroking in one direction with deep pressure in another to relax muscles. The treatment expedites blood flow to flush lactic acid, uric acid, and other waste products from the muscles. Ligaments and tendons are stretched increasing their suppleness, nerves are stimulated and relaxed, and stress is alleviated. Trigger Point Therapy: Also known, as Neuromuscular therapy Trigger points are tiny tight nodules that form in muscles causing referred pain. It consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. The pressure is usually applied with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied to a muscle spasm, the pressure should not vary for ten to thirty seconds. It is extremely important to communicate with the massage therapist regarding the pressure - whether the pressure is too much, too little, getting better, getting worse. Neuromuscular therapy will feel painful at first, but the pressure should alleviate the muscle spasm.

The treatment goals include alleviating muscle spasms, improving circulation, and releasing trigger points. In some cases the therapist uses a technique called Spray and Stretch, a local anesthetic that are gently stretch soothing tight muscles.

Trager Approach: This is a movement modality, which uses the very gentle and rhythmic movements such as rocking, stretching, vibration, traction, and shaking of the body. The therapist provides an environment of movement without effort, thus encouraging the client to relax from the inside out. The session is characterized by gentle questioning quality of being, of having no set agenda, no checklist of moves to get to. Trager is great for clients who are quite sensitive to pressure, as it does not require oils or lotions to work, nor even direct contact with bare skin.

Deep Tissue Massage: This technique targets chronic muscle tension. The therapist's strokes are slower using more direct pressure and friction. Depending on the texture of the deeper layers of muscle and tissue felt, the therapist periodically adjusts their hand positions, strokes, and intensity to work the tissues to release tension.

Traditional European massage: This includes methods based on conventional Western concepts of anatomy and physiology. Five soft-tissue manipulation techniques are typically used: effleurage (long, gliding strokes); petrissage (kneading and compression strokes); friction (deep circular rubbing); tapotement (percussion tapping); and vibration (very fine, rapid shaking movements). Swedish massage, the most widely employed massage technique in the world today, is the primary example of traditional European massage.

Western massage: These include neuromuscular massage, a form of deep massage that is intended to reach the connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, and release knots of tension called trigger points; sports massage - a combination of Swedish massage and deep tissue massage that deals specifically with the effects of athletic performance on the body; myotherapy - a specialized form of muscle massage and stretching that uses deep manual pressure to release trigger points.

Oriental massage: Based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, Oriental massage techniques assess and restore the vital energy that is believed to flow through invisible channels in the human body. These methods include acupressure and Shiatsu.

Heart: Scientific body-massage procedures effect the quality and quantity of blood coursing through the circulatory system and, with the increased flow of blood to the massaged area; better cellular nutrition and elimination are favored. Under the influence of massage, the blood-making process is improved, resulting in an increase in the number of red and white blood cells, benefiting the immune system.

Skin: Since blood carries nutrients to the skin, massage is beneficial in keeping the skin functioning in a normal, healthy manner. In desert areas and people with dry skin through massaging the epidermis (skin) gives a natural tone (glow) can be restored.

Weight Loss: Massage increases metabolism, hastens healing, relaxes and refreshes the muscles and improves the detoxifying functions of the lymphatic system, allowing our body to cast off toxins (impurities). Putting on some unwanted pounds is sometimes relative to slow metabolism therefore it stands to reason if our metabolism increases, we tend to shed unwanted weight easier and are healthier.

Pain Management: Massage therapy is effective in conditions such as arthritis, neuritis, neuralgia, and birth, including labor and delivery, whiplash, muscular lesions, sciatica, Headaches, muscle-spasms and many other conditions.

Fatigue: Psychologically, massage relieves fatigue, reduces tension and anxiety, calms the nervous system, and promotes a peaceful sense of relaxation with renewed energy levels.

Physical workers - for those who stress their bodies in their work or trade, like construction workers, domestic and custodial personnel, truck drivers, postal workers, electricians, plumbers, painters, professional athletes, dancers, and musicians. Caregivers - for those who care for others, for example: mothers and fathers, teachers, recreation leaders, daycare workers, and health care workers of all kinds.

Desk workers - for those whose work involves long hours sitting at a desk using a computer, talking on the telephone, at a bench assembling parts, fixing things, or creating works of art.

Travelers - for those spending long hours sitting in an automobile, train or airplane, for example: commuters, sales people, business travelers, and vacationers.

People, who suffered with sleeping problems, have improved sleep after massage therapy for a week. Hospitalized patients who were massaged attributed greater mobility, increased energy, positive mood changes, and a faster rate of recovery to massage therapy.

People who were massaged regularly were more alert, performed better, and were less stressed than others. Therapeutic massage can be an important component of your health maintenance or wellness plan. It helps keep the body and mind function optimally.

In burn patients, massage therapy decreased emotional effects (anxiety, tension, depression) and physical symptoms (pain and itching).

Regular and systematic massage causes the muscles to become firmer and more elastic, while muscles too weak to be used voluntarily can be strengthened by active massage treatments.

Treatment:

Before beginning any type of therapy or treatment, seek the advice of a physician. Due to the positive results, many wise physicians recommend massage for both physical and psychological benefit. They may be able to refer you to licensed or certified massage therapist.

During treatment, the physical therapist may include localized massage e.g. low back or neck) as a prelude to exercise. Massage increases circulation and warms muscles and other soft tissues (e.g. tendons, ligaments). Other types of massage include full-body massage, which often leaves the patient feeling relaxed and free of anxiety.

While the rules for certification and licensing vary widely from states and countries, a massage therapist should be nationally certified on therapeutic massage.

Do not blindly walk into any massage centre, check with your friends and trusted health-care practitioners for referrals and recommendations. Remember, when you do go for an appointment, you should feel comfortable. If you don't like the personality or mannerisms of the therapist, find someone else with whom you feel more relaxed.

You may also want to learn how to do massage yourself or teach a friend or family member how to do therapeutic massage on you. There are dozens of books and videotapes on massage that can guide you. In most communities, you can also find classes in massage techniques at a community or adult education center.

In cases of an injury or disease your physician must be consulted before massage treatments are given.

Avoid massage if you have a high fever, inflammation, infection, phlebitis, thrombosis, jaundice, or an infectious skin condition.

Do not have massage on an open wound or burn or at the site of a recent injury. Wait 24 hours before having massage on a strain or sprain.

If you have a chronic condition, such as arthritis, cancer, or heart disease, talk with your doctor before having massage therapy.

If you are pregnant, be sure to tell your massage therapist, as massage at certain sites on the body may induce labor.

Conclusion: