Therapeutic Massage

Massage has at times been touted the second oldest profession in the world. It is a touchy subject, but let us see what Massage Therapy is today and what it can do for your health.

Many of us have some idea what massage might be like. In the locker room a trainer is giving a quick rubdown to his athlete while sharing some last words of advice on the competition. In the movies the Hollywood style of massage is occasionally administered by that attractive member of the other gender. The thought of the tall strong handsome man, whose broad hands rearrange the body of his poor subject also can come to mind. To the dismay of professional therapists ads which promise "a different kind of massage" have in the past frequently been associated with Massage Therapy.

These perceptions are fast changing as Massage Therapy has joined the mainstream. When we think of Massage Therapy today, we are more likely to think of a professional massage therapist working in a chiropractic clinic, in a doctor's office, or in a setting that emphazises massage as stress relief. Doctors in other countries have long realized the therapeutic benefits of massage and even teach massage therapists. Recently the US has been catching up and more people are accepting massage as preventative health care, a form of therapy.

Over 60,000 therapists now work in the US, a testimony that Massage Therapy fulfills a definite need. Massage goes beyond the luxury of a few wealthy beneficiaries or the special requirements of some professional athletes. Massage Therapy is for everyone who wants to keep their body young and healthy. In fact, massage as a category of alternative healthcare work includes a wide range of modalities -- Swedish, Deep Tissue, Feldenkrais, Rolfing, Acupressure, Shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Reflexology,  Energy Healing, to name only a few.

Before going into some details of how Massage Therapy can be helpful to you, I like to underscore one often overlooked fact: Your body, unlike your car, is the only vehicle you will have in life, and one most of us cannot get out of easily. It pays to keep it happy and in good condition with a massage "tune-up." In a light vein I also mention to those who are receiving Massage Therapy for the first time, that it can be addictive. After experiencing life with a massage (preferrably once a week), life without it stands in stark contrast to the increased level of well-being.

The health benefits of Massage Therapy can be divided into two categories, stress-management and soft-tissue maintenance.

One area of stress-management is health-maintenance. All systems in nature need to be maintained in order to remain healthy. Our bodies do much of this automatically under normal circumstances. We do not have to think how the cells are being replaced by new ones all the time or how the lymphatic system functions. But in modern life we face pressures that tax the body beyond its ability to regenerate. Massage Therapy restores and maintains balance by supporting the body's inherent recuperative powers.

Massage Therapy counteracts another unhealthy effect of modern living, a psycholgical one. Technology has brought us many comforts but also many stressors. These have had us lose touch with nature and put us at greater distance from each other. In addition to the physical stress on our bodies, modern technologies have also created psychological stress. We can reach out to each other over greater distances with cars and airplanes, yet instead of drawing closer together we often find ourselves isolated without even knowing who or where our own family is. Reaching out and touching someone over the telephone may be a clever ad to propose reestablishing this lost bond, but it falls short of the much needed nurturing human contact. When we rush to the office, hurry to stay on top of our scheduling, and squeeze in minor necessities like eating, we may be lucky to hear or notice a friendly hello from our just as busy neighbor. Lack of physical contact takes a toll on our bodies and our peace of mind. Massage Therapy soothes the nerves, promotes better sleep, rejuvenates the skin, and balances our vital energy. This in turn boosts our immune systems, and we may at least stand a fighting chance against the onslaught of environmental pressures. On a subtle level, the healing touch of a caring practitioner can also reaffirm our sense of belonging and self-worth as a fellow human being who is important and wanted. Massage Therapy does contribute to our emotional health.

Contrary to the "no pain, no gain" philosophy, Massage Therapy can accomplish all this without pain. It feels good, and you might be amazed to find how your priorities shift with regular massage! The many duties of the day are taken care of miraculously and you still find time to enjoy a nice, relaxed day. You may also find some of those aches and pains diminish or disappear, which brings us to the next point, soft-tissue maintenance.

Soft-tissue maintenance is a fancy term to accurately summarize the areas of the body targeted and effected by Massage Therapy. We all know that muscles are relaxed by Massage Therapy, but tension may run deeper than the muscle tissue. Massage Therapy  also releases tension by working with the fascia or connective tissue that runs all through the muscles and the entire body. Massage Therapy improves circulation and helps movement of lymph fluid. This in turn aids elimination of toxins or waste matter in the tissues. Chronic tension and muscle spasm can be released. Flexiblilty is improved and range of motion of your body increases. Even your posture can change. We could go into greater detail of how all this takes place in a massage. For now this may give you a clue why Massage Therapy supports the recovery and healing process of so many ailments ranging from backaches, whiplash, headaches to something as severe as certain types of arthritis.

Of course, preferably we would like Massage Therapy to be seen as preventative medicine. It is now obvious from the above mentioned effects of Massage Therapy, that the risk of incurring many ailments in the first place is greatly reduced. If your muscles are toned and relaxed, your circulation is normal, your posture aligned, and your nerves calm, the risk of injuring yourself is much lower. One day, as more studies about Massage Therapy are being completed, we will see statistics that point out just how far reaching the therapeutic touch can be.

For now you may best find out for yourself by trying one. A massage normally lasts one hour. You do not risk much but the time, and it won't set you back too far. Then, when you are done, the experience will speak louder than all that has been said.

The charged-up feeling a day after a massage could be summed up in the words of one "person" who gets a tune-up on a regular basis: "Johnny Five*, he's ALIVE!"
 

* Main character in the movie "Short Circuit"

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Georg Koester is a licensed massage practitioner who has worked with doctors as well as famous resorts and spas. He currently is in private practice at 1202 East Maryland, Suite 1-E. For more information please call (602) 881-2019.