Massage Therapy—A Return To Ancient, Proven Healing

With so many modern medical advances, it has been easy to lose sight of many proven, natural, old-world techniques like massage therapy; as those advances continue to move forward, as a culture we often revert back to the more natural, well-proven techniques for health management and healing. On of the most proven methods of boosting health and healing is massage therapy.

What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is an umbrella term that is used in reference to a number of bodywork techniques which promote healing and relaxation (and healing through relaxation). Massage has roots in ancient cultures (as far back as 3,000 years ago in China); due to the extensive benefits of Massage therapy, it has become a mainstay of many mainstream medical and physical treatments. Massage is no longer considered “quack” therapy, and is gaining in popularity by the day.

Massage, in its most general sense, refers to rubbing and manipulation of the body. It may be performed on target areas of the body, or a session may include the whole body.

The basic techniques employed in massage therapy include:

• Rubbing of muscles, soft tissues, and joints
• Manipulation of joints, muscles, and soft tissues
• Touch therapies, re-patterning, and movement of body structures
• Stroking
• Kneading
• Tapping/light thumping
• Compression
• Vibration
• Applying pressure

Each of these techniques are used in different ways and combinations, comprising the more than 250 types of massage therapy. These therapies are known by many different names, including Swedish massage, bodywork, touch therapy, reflexology, sports massage, somatic therapy, acupressure, sports massage, and neuromuscular massage. Some massage therapists will specialize in one specific type, or modality, of massage; others are capable of performing a range of massage therapies. Each massage therapist will tailor therapy sessions toward the specific needs and goals of a client to achieve the optimal result.

Massage therapists use a number of products and supplies to further enhance the benefits and comfort of a massage therapy session. These include tables, oils, creams, and lotions, as well as aromatherapies. The most effective tool of all used during a massage is the skilled set of hands of the massage therapist.

Massage has proven an incomparable physical therapy with far-reaching medical and physical benefits. The benefits of massage have been linked to numerous health conditions ranging from circulatory dysfunctions to stress related illness and sports injuries. As medical professionals and individuals have increasingly come to realize that pharmaceuticals are not the only option for treating ailments and injuries, the demand for skilled massage therapists has grown dramatically. Today, massage therapy is being recognized as both a supplemental and independent health treatment as well as a means of preventing illness and injury.

Some of the Chiropractic Techniques

When most people think of chiropractic techniques, the standard neck or back adjustment is what comes to mind. However to understand why chiropractic care is so useful, it is imperative to be aware that doctors of chiropractic have a lot more tricks up their sleeves other than just the famous back adjustment. Chiropractors treat more areas of the body than just the spine. These highly trained professionals go to school for in depth training of techniques and when and where they are appropriate, as well as detailed study of how the body works in relation to all aspects of health. Muscle and bones are just a part of their training. They also are taught how disease and injury affect each region of the body and how to treat it for optimum healing. Take a look at some of the chiropractic techniques you may be less familiar with.

One of the most interesting of the chiropractic techniques is known as the applied kinesiology technique. This one deals with more than just the alignment of the spine and joints. The placement of the bones can’t be correct unless the muscles surrounding them are in correct placement as well. Using light massage and manipulation of the acupressure points, chiropractors can encourage normal and healthy muscle function. This restored balance helps the bones move back into the proper ailment. This technique is an interesting look at how all the systems of the body work together as one.

Since the spine related adjustments are the most familiar to most of us, here’s a look at some of the spine chiropractic techniques and what they are used to correct. The Cox flexion distraction is first up on our list. This technique involves using stretching or traction of the spine to correct lower back pain and misalignment. The Thompson terminal point technique is another one of the frequently used techniques. Using a special drop style table, this technique is used to adjust the entire spine. Another fascinating example of the dynamic of how different areas of the body can adversely affect a seemingly unrelated area of the body is neck pain. In some cases the Sacro-Occipital technique is used. The patient lies on their back with padded blocks placed under the pelvic region. This allows the body to adjust itself and reduce neck pain. There are hundreds of other techniques chiropractors can use to improve the performance of the body and promote pain relief. These are just a few.

The various chiropractic techniques are an interesting look at how every area of the body directly impacts its neighbor. Understanding the purpose of some of the things your chiropractor may do is a good way to reduce fear of the unknown and take a proactive stand in your own health care.

Each of the chiropractic techniques was designed to heal a specific problem. These techniques help to relieve pain, improve joint flexibility, and increase body function without the use of medications or surgeries.

What is Rolfing

Not everyone is familiar with Rolfing. If you heard the term for the first time, you might ask, “What is Rolfing?” Rolfing has only been practiced since the 1950s. A biochemist by the name of Dr. Ida Rolf developed a technique of manipulating the connective tissue of the body’s framework. If 10 people were to ask one who has been Rolfed, what is Rolfing, each person may have a slightly different understanding from the person he/she asked.

Commonalities to what is Rolfing are that the practitioner works to align the head, shoulders, torso, pelvis and extremities so that each part is in sync or in balance with the rest of the body and its center of gravity. The body can get out of balance because one or more parts are affected by the shortening of the connective fascia that holds all the muscles and their skeletal attachments together. What is Rolfing? It softens and breaks down the fibers so that all the muscles of the body can work in harmony and balance.

Someone with one hip higher than the other may ask “What is Rolfing going to do for me?” Over time the hip that is contracted may be able to be in alignment with the other hip, therefore allowing for a normal gait, and less back and hip pain. When one part of the body is out of balance, it can cause pain and in some cases malformations of the musculoskeletal system over time.

What is Rolfing? It can be painful, but in a good sort of way. Rolfing shouldn’t be uncomfortably painful, although you might feel some discomfort. If you do feel any real discomfort, let your practitioner know. He/she may not notice your facial expression when you have an “ouch,” so be sure to voice your discomfort. Many people report that it “hurts so good,” or “it feels so good when it quits hurting.” What is Rolfing? It is both relaxing and invigorating depending on the recipient.

What is Rolfing? It is a fairly slow process. There are usually a series of 10 visits; one each week. The visits are fairly long, lasting up to 1 and ¼ hours each. Once the treatment has been given each week, the client needs to work on keeping those muscles and connective tissue elastic, rather than letting them become stiff again with disuse. Exercise techniques and stretching exercises such as Yoga can help keep the body in balance until the next visit.

The practitioner may take photographs of the client prior to the first treatment and then afterward. More pictures may be taken at the end of the 10 week period to document the improvement that has taken place. What is Rolfing? It isn’t mandatory that the client finish the 10 week cycle of treatments, although it is encouraged. The client can stop at any time, and resume at any time. If the client is not satisfied with the practitioner, he/she can stop the treatments and find another Rolf practitioner without being financially bound to the previous practitioner. It is like changing doctors; if you find you don’t care for one, you can find another.