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Massage Therapy
Massage
therapy is one of the most practiced of the manipulative and body based
practices. It is also one of the few CAM treatments that is also used
as a conventional medical treatment. Massage therapy has been around
since ancient times. You can find references to it in ancient Egyptian,
Roman and Greek texts. Today massage therapy is used for a host of
health-related issues:
• Pain relief
• Stress relief
• Depression
• Rehabilitate sports injuries
• Increase relaxations
• Maintain health and general wellness
Types of Massage
There
are 80 types of massage therapy, and in each one, some form of
manipulation of the body is done using hands, fingers, elbows,
forearms, and even feet. Some of the more popular forms of massage
therapy include the following:
• Swedish massage is the most
common of the CAM massage therapy techniques. The massage therapist
will use friction of the muscles, kneading, long strokes and
manipulation of the joints in treating a patient.
• Trigger point
massage applies concentrated pressure on knots that form in the
muscles, cause pain, and can cause problems in other areas of the body
if left untreated.
• Deep tissue massage involves uses various
strokes and pressure applied with the fingers to focus on tightened
muscles while also focusing on layers of muscles that are deep under
the skin.
• Shiatsu massage is Japanese in origin and sometimes
associated with TCM. Practitioners use their fingers to apply pressure
to parts of the body that are blocking the energy flow of the body also
known as Qi.
Risks
There
are very few risks associated with massage therapy when practiced by a
licensed professional. Some risks and side effects associate with
massage therapy include the following:
• Temporary pain or discomfort
• Swelling
• Bruising
• An allergic reaction to massage oils
When Not to Use Massage Therapy
There
are several instances when massage therapy isn’t recommended or
requires consulting your healthcare provider before you proceed. These
include pre-existing conditions and various health related issues like
the following:
• Deep vein thrombosis
• A fever
• Weakened bones
• Osteoporosis
• Bleeding disorders
• Damaged blood vessels
• Cancer
• Pregnancy
• Heart problems
• Fragile skin
• Dermatomyositis
Costs
Costs
of massage therapy vary greatly. The price depends largely on the
experience of your massage therapists and the location where the
massage will be administered. A massage therapist trained in several
types of massage who works in a spa will likely charge more than one
who is only trained in Swedish massage and works from home. It’s best
to compare prices and experiences of various massage therapists in your
area to determine the best solution for you.
Like chiropractic
and (to a lesser extent) acupuncture, massage therapy is often covered
by insurance when it involves treatment for certain health problems.
Contact your insurer before seeking treatment and see if massage
therapy is one of procedures they cover.
T.S. Johnson is a professional blogger and writer. You can find her daily commentaries, rants and raves at T-Time, Sweet Potato Pie and Brown Sugar
