Massage Therapy: Principle and Practice - Term Paper Example

Introduction Massage therapy can be defined as manual manipulation of soft body tissues to improve or enhancea person’s health (Simonson et al, 2005). Different massage therapy methods are known as modalities. Individuals may seek massage therapy for various reasons, specific to an individual. While there are several types of massage therapy, there are two fundamental categories which includes, relaxation massage and rehabilitative massage (Wible et al, 2005). Relaxation massage is also referred to as Swedish massage and it is the type practiced in setting like spas, wellness centre and at times resorts (Salvo et al 1999). Rehabilitative on the other hand is referred to as deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage. It is mostly practiced in settings like clinics, hospital and chiropractics offices. Massage therapy spans a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, working to enhance an individual’s health and well being by the hands through a scientific manipulation of soft tissues or muscles (Simonson et al 2005). Generally benefits of massage therapy can be categorised as physical, mental and emotional. The first imply that massage therapy is designed to stretch and loosen muscles to improve the blood flow and the movement of lymph in the whole the body. It also imply that physically, massage helps in facilitating the removal of metabolic wastes resulting from exercise and enhance the flow of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and cells (Fioore et al, 1967). The second general category benefit implies that massage therapy provides a relaxed state of alertness, improve capacity for calm thinking and creativity and ensures a reduced mental stress. The last general category on the other hand imply that massage therapy satisfy the need for caring and nurturing touch, creates a sense of well-being and reduces anxiety level Wible et al, 2005). Many people suffer from emotional and psychological disorders mostly caused by daily life challenges of life. Some of these common disorders includes anxiety, depression, insomnia and chronic pain caused sometimes by prolonged stress. Pain and stress are not good or bad. They are mainly the body’s defence mechanism (Tortora et al, 2005). A stressful life, whether due to natural sickness or death of a loved one, can cause various imbalances that, if persists, can results in disorders. Massage therapy does have a positive effect on emotional and psychological state of the patient. First, it can help assist the body in proper healing when done professionally and therapeutically (Wible et al, 2005) Benefits of massage therapy to an individual are extensive. Not only does the client benefit from purely physical perspective, but the psychological and spiritual aspects of his/her life is also enhanced (Salvo et al, 1999). The concept of true health resulting from a correct equilibrium or balancing of this physical and spiritual energy has for long been treated and documented as a form of medication. Massage works on two levels, the physical manipulation of soft body tissue and the positive healing energy that exuded during this manipulation. The combination and correct application of these processes is make treatment effective as a whole (Simonson et al, 2005). Massage therapy has been respected type of medicine for more than 3,000 years. It was ranked in high value in ancient Chinese and Japanese cultures, then spread through Europe and became and adopted practice for many Greeks and Romans as a treatment for disorders such as stiff muscles and other diseases (Tortora et al, 2005). The value of Massage however declined for sometime over the centuries.AS western medicine became more accepted, the value of massage therapy declined and became considered purely as a luxury for the wealthy members of the society, with only temporary relaxation effects. This was the beginning of the now called quick fix era (Wible et al, 2005). Massage therapy is however considered alternative to pharmaceuticals today rather than vice versa. There are still many doubting the viability of massage therapy, they minimize the benefits of massage therapy to simply relaxation and view it as unnecessary. However, many others are beginning to realize the true value or potential of therapeutic massage (Salvo et al, 1999). When done correctly and regularly, and individual can realize minimized pain, mind clarity and more mobility. Massage therapy as defined above is a soft tissue manipulation for healing purposes. Massage therapy promotes blood and lymph circulation, relaxes muscles, relieves pain and restores balances; this can be done using different styles (simonson et al, 2005). As introduced above, massage involves different techniques, the three modalities which include swedish, deep tissue and therapeutic. These modalities address different issues. For example swedish massage aims at promoting better circulation and relaxation using light touch (Wible et al, 2005). It is most the most commonly used and known and used, and this why rarely see the other beneficial therapeutic aspects of massage therapy. Deep tissue on the other hand is has more benefits but is rarely used or applied due to extend of treatment involved in its practice. Therapeutic however remain the most effective and this because it incorporates all modalities to form a personalised treatment that is bet for each individual (Fioore et al, 1967). It is important to listen to the warning signals shown by the body. The human body is a delicate and interrelated organism. Most stress begins on a subconscious level which is caused when something stimulates a particular response in the bodys organs or tissues (Salvo et al, 1999). If the stimulus persists for long and unresolved, it will reflect itself on a conscious level as pain. Pain is the bodys way of getting information across that there is an unresolved stressor. A stressor can therefore be a positive or negative life experience. However, both can result in wear and tear on the body and, if not understood, can manifest emotional and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression (Tortora et al, 2005). The body uses stress and pain as a warning that the mental, physical and spiritual being is out of alignment. The health of the body is tied to emotional and psychological health which manifests itself through discomfort and disorders (Salvo et al, 199). When dealt with in a proper, healthy way, balance and peace is restored. When ignored, the prolonged stress can lead to other disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as chronic pain. This will continue until something causes it to stop. If prolonged, stress can manifest itself through other health complications such as anxiety, phobias and depression (Simonson et al, 2005). There are numerous and different in nature stressors that cause countless disorders. The most well-known ways to prevent disorders are to get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and eat a nutritionally balanced diet and exercise (Wible et al, 2005). However, for many people these means are not enough. Massage therapy is one of the most effective treatments with the least amount of side effects. Regular massage treatments can be used to aid the bodys natural healing process. These effects are easily observable. When it comes to emotional disorders, massage therapy has the greatest effect on stress, anxiety and depression (Fioore et al, 1967). Calming endorphins are released through purposeful touch and muscle manipulation. This causes stress levels to lower and promotes clear thinking which assists in a more positive self-image. The more treatments received regularly, the longer a person will be more able to cope with their stress (Tortora et al, 2005). Massage therapy promotes relaxation. This is the most agreed upon statement by professionals in the medical field. Many people suffer from insomnia. Insomnia inhibits the bodys natural healing process and therefore the disorder remains and increases (Wible et al,2005). Pain tells the body to release hormones to solve the problem. When that doesnt happen the problem will be consistent and increases. Insomnia is a viscous circle that deteriorates the bodys defences. This cycle can effectively assist the onset of other illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, ulcers or diabetes. Studies show that massage relieves pain, decreases anxiety and provides psychological support. Anxiety levels rise when going through stressful situations and has a negative effect on moods thought processes and behaviours (Salvo et al, 199). With the appropriate amount of pressure, massage can calm anxiety by providing positive comfort and relaxation. Fibromyalgia has quickly become another common disorder. It is a combination of anxiety, depression, chronic tension and pain, and insomnia. Studies have shown that all of these symptoms reduce significantly with regular massage therapy treatments. First sleep cycles improve and an individual become more rested and less fatigued. This relieves muscle tension which aids in better rest and less fatigue. Reports show that further results include lower anxiety and depression levels (Wible et al, 2005). Numerous studies have shown the immediate effects of massage therapy. Stress, anxiety, depression and pain have been proven to decrease after just one massage. This decrease will continue over a period of time. The length of time depends on the variable of issues. Essentially massage will have a lasting effect. However, because of the multiple variables involved, there is still much scepticism (Simonson et al, 2005). There are various variables that must be taken into consideration when studying the effects of massage therapy. Aside from the varying disorders and their severity, the massage practitioner and the client have a major influence on the outcome of the treatments. One massage practitioner can do the same techniques as another on the same client, yet have different results (Fioore et al 1967). Not every massage therapist has the same therapeutic motive or even believes that it really is effective. This presents a problem because that kind of therapist will not put their full potential into the purpose of healing and therefore it effects will be less noticeable ( Wible et al, 2005). Even worse are the clients who are so skeptical they make sure massage is not effective. It becomes mind over matter where an individual subconsciously refuses to relax and thereby sabotaging their own healing (Simonson et al, 2005). Many of these clients have had bad experiences with massage. Some massage therapists use too much pressure and leave bruises. Others have bad ethics and make the customers uncomfortable. Others believe that mediation and surgery is the only way to heal, even though, after years of this kind of treatment, they still continue to complain about their disorders (Salvo et al 199). Most people are skeptical of massage because of the western medicine practitioners and pharmaceutical companies. People believe that medications will cure anything and no one has to be held accountable for their actions or lack of action when it comes to taking care of their body (Tortora et al, 2005). It is quick and easy and is usually covered by insurance. Most insurance companies refuse to cover massage or other alternative medicine. People still feel that their doctors and insurances know best and that since alternatives are not covered and are rarely recommended, it is because they do not work (Fioore et al, 1967). This inference is false. Massage therapy is a process of holistic healing. It is a process that is meant to heal the whole body, not just an individual disorder. It is not like a pill that has one purpose (Salvo et al, 1999). However, the healing process does begin immediately following one treatment. For many, it took a lifetime of wear and tear to get their body into the condition they have. Naturally, it will take more than one treatment to heal them (Simonson et al, 2005). Even though a client comes in for one reason, such as migraines, the healing process must include much more than a head massage (Tortora et al, 2005). The whole upper body must be addressed to stop the pain cycle. After each treatment their migraines will become less and less frequent. Once that happens, the client will become aware of other issues they never realized they had because the migraines were so bad. One relieved disorder usually reveals another. This is a process that could take a few months or a few years, depending on all the variables between the clients and massage practitioner (Salvo et al, 1999). Massage therapy therefore does relieve stress, anxiety and many other emotional and psychological disorders. It is becoming a highly respected and recommended as an alternative to modern medicine (Fioore et al, 1967). More and more people are becoming tired of seeing their doctors, who dont seem to really care about their health, and medications that have horrible side effects. There are numerous complaints about physicians not believing clients and telling them its all in their head (Simonson et al, 2005). On top of that, the doctor only spends twenty minutes with them after they have waited for over an hour. Listening to a client is part of a massage therapists training. Good listening skills are one of many variables in assisting the holistic healing process (Wible et al, 2005). Clients often discuss their issues, which were ignored by their doctors. The massage practitioner is able to listen and acknowledge the issues, helping the client realize they may not be crazy after all. This simple act can relieve an immense amount of tension which reduces anxiety and depression (Salvo et al 199). It is time for people to become proactive of their physical health and, just as important, emotional health and holistic well-being. Before turning to western medicine for pharmaceuticals that only mask the issues, massage therapy should be the first thing people try. If the medication is not a life or death drug, it would be worth changing to massage therapy as the main treatment and western medicine as the alternative (Fioore et al, 1967). It is not always a quick fix but in the long run the results are more rewarding. Massage is much more than simply for relaxation purposes. When done properly, it is extremely therapeutic, attaining many positive results (Salvo et al, 1999). The vast benefits of massage therapy can be clearly explained under the following topics, Interaction of body system The human body involves interaction of organs and systems (Tortora et al, 2005). "The close inter-relationship between the somatic, autonomic and endocrine systems makes it impossible for pathologic changes to take place in any one structure without causing adaptive changes in other structures." Edner, quoted in Chaitow (1983). As early as 1928, Heartman described changes in the connective tissue within the dermatomes of the heart. His findings demonstrated that these changes were associated with heart symptoms which subsequently cleared up upon treatment of this connective tissue. If this research is valid, then it stands to reason that massage (soft tissue manipulation) through improving circulation, nervous stimulation etc can have a marked effect on the body. Therefore assertions that massage can induce relaxation and stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system seem quite important (Wible et al, 2005). Automatic nervous system The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a system of nerves and ganglia concerned with the distribution and reception of predominantly involuntary impulses to the heart (changing its rate and force of beating), smooth muscle (vasoconstriction or dilation of arterioles) and glands (increasing or decreasing their secretion) (Fioore et al, 1967). The ANS is a modifier of activity; either increasing or decreasing it. Thus the heart can beat without innervation from the sympathetic fibres of the ANS, but its rate of beating does not change as a result of excitement or fear levels. It is obvious that massage stimulates the sensory and proprioceptive nerve fibres of the skin and underlying tissues, and that these messages pass along the afferent fibres to the spinal chord (Simonson et al, 2005). From there it is conceivable that these stimuli may disperse through the central and autonomic nervous systems, producing various effects in any zones supplied from the same segment of the spinal chord. Swedish massage, particularly effleurage and other slow stroking movements are thought to have a sedating effect leading to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (Wible et al, 2005). Massage also may cause vasodilation in the skin and muscles by stimulating receptors of the sympathetic nervous system. Deep tissue massage often leads to a sense of relief and peace during or after the event, even if some of the deep tissue work is painful at the time of treatment (Salvo et al, 1999). Self-induced relaxation response. Just lying in a quiet room, closing ones eyes, and trying to stop thinking of those things that are troubling will have some effect on the ANS. Certainly, a restful few minutes can make one feel a bit better than before (Tortora et al,2005). Many of the endocrine and ANS operations are not easily altered through conscious intent, but hypnosis, meditation and even massage-induced relaxation can often allow these unconscious systems to be modified by regular massage (Fioore et al, 1967). Energy balancing therapies. Energy Balancing is a general term for a group of hands-on body-work therapies the aim of which is to maximize the healing/warming/energetic touch between practitioner and client (Wible et al, 2005).Irrespective of whether the client has been told ahead of time that the practitioner is going to do some energy balancing, much subjective and a smaller amount of objective observation/measurement has shown that there is often a very dramatic slowing of breathing, as well as a sense of peace reported by most clients (Salvo et al, 1999). There is also a feeling of warmth, charge of connectedness between the client and the practitioner which is almost indefinable, but which usually leads to feelings of well-being in not only the recipient but the practitioner too (Simonson et al, 2005). The pituitary and hypothalamus glands and massage Although historically the pituitary gland was considered to be the master gland and the master controller of the endocrine system (the system of glands and hormone-producing organs), in more recent times, it has become evident that the hypothalamus is the main organ which coordinates and controls this system (Tortora et al, 2005). In fact, part of the hypothalamus itself is a gland, and cells in the hypothalamus synthesise at least nine different hormones (Salvo et al, 1999). These hormones are passed to the anterior pituitary gland via portal blood vessels and stimulate or inhibit a variety of hormonal secretions by the anterior pituitary. The posterior pituitary produces other hormones (such as growth hormone) but usually not under hypothalmic control. Massage therapy provides foundation for regulations of these hormones (Fioore et al, 1967) Pain, stress and massage Painful, stressful, and emotional experiences all cause changes in hypothalmic activity. In turn, the hypothalamus controls the autonomic nervous system and regulates body temperature, thirst, hunger, sexual behavior, and defensive reactions such as fear and rage." (Tortora and Grabowski, 2005). There is a complex interrelationship between pain, stress and emotions. Massage sometimes causes pain during the treatment, but a large number of recipients come for a massage for short-term or medium-term pain relief (Wible et al, 2005). Thus if pain is diminished, the body is under less stress and presumably the parasympathetic NS is more likely to be activated. It has also been found that sympathetic arousal of the higher brain centers (such as that resulting from emotional stress) can exacerbate the nociceptive impulses originating from soft tissue injury (Tortotra et al, 2005). Thus if massage relaxes the client, and reduces sympathetic activity, pain is likely to be less intrusive and disruptive to the individual. Aromatherapy massage. This refers to the use of essential oils (plant essences) blended into the lubricating (carrier) oil used for the massage (Wible et al, 2005). The massage technique is generally slow, relatively light, rhythmical, and contains a lot of effleurage and sliding actions. Lymphatic drainage is also a major component of this massage technique. A reasonable and quite encyclopedic reference on this subject is "AromaTherapy an A to Z" (Tortora et al, 2005). The essences used in aromatherapy apparently can affect the body in three main ways, absorption through the skin, inhalation and absorption through the surface of the lungs, and the associations and responses caused by the stimulation of the olfactory nerves( Tortora et al 2005). Memory and smell are highly associated and sensing a smell can evoke surprisingly strong memories associated with that smell from the past (Salvo et al, 1999). Thus aromatherapy is likely to have the potential to evoke strong relaxation responses in recipients, as long as the essences employed have relaxing sensations for the recipient of the treatment. In addition, memories and physiological responses to smells can be conditioned, allowing a person to benefit some degree of relaxation just from smelling an essential oil regularly used in a soothing massage treatment (Simonson et al, 2005). Work cited Braun,Mary Beth, and Stephanie J. Simonson. Introduction to massage therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2005. Print Mcluhan, Marsharll,and Quentin Fioore.the medium is massage. New York: Bantam Books, 1967. Print Salvo, Susan G.. Massage therapy: principle& practice.Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders,1999. Print. Tortora, Gerard J., and Sandra Reynolds Grabowski. Principle of anatomy and physiology.10th ed. New York: Wiley, 2003. Print. Wible, Jean M.. Pharmacology for massage therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005. Print. Read More