The benefits of Massage on depression and anxiety - Research Paper Example

There are diverse schools of massage, which yields various forms of massage. Massage therapists frequently combine several techniques, although some therapists (purists) stick to one method. There are several types of massage such as aromatherapy, reflexology, shiatsu massage, relaxation massage, and remedial massage. Deep tissue massage mainly utilizes enhanced pressure to reach deeper levels of muscles (Karen et al. 442). Shiatsu massage also employs deep pressure, while neuromuscular massage employs strong pressure to tender spots (trigger points).

There are several theories that attempt to explain how massage might work; however, none of the advanced theories has adequately been proved to be true (Field et al. 125). Some massage therapists and massage therapy schools assert that massage breaks up calcium deposits within the muscle; however, there is no objective validation of this assertion. Some forms of massage such as acupressure, reflexology, and Rolfing Structural Integration possess elaborate theories behind them, but there exists no scientific evidence to back the theories (Dryden and Moyer 94).

Another advanced explanation details that massage facilitates healing by reducing the incidence of stress and bringing about relaxation. Massage also gratifies the basic human need to be touched. Massage therapy remains predominantly employed to relieve muscular tension and deliver relaxation. Massage is touted to be helpful as an aid in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions such as attention deficit disorder (ADD), autism, asthma, eczema, low back pain, neck pain, spinal cord injury, and bedsores.

Although there is a collection of evidence pointing out that massage may be helpful for diverse forms of medical purposes, the evidence on the efficacy of massage is not strong (Dryden and Moyer 95). Several reasons can be cited for this, with the most outstanding being that even with