Massage Basics
It doesn’t take an expert in the field of massage therapy to know the basic benefits that massage can provide. Even those who have had no formal training can help a friend or loved one by rubbing tired feet or massaging tense shoulders. Parents will often gently rub the backs of little children to help them drift off to sleep. This form caring through touch has been around since the beginning of time. The ancient Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, once said “for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid”. Massage has been proven to reduce pain, restore function and calm nerves and has stood the test of time.
Physiological Effects
You may not know some of the more complex physiological effects massage can have on the body. In addition to releasing muscle tension, improving range of motion, flexibility and reducing pain, massage can improve circulation helping nutrients travel in the body. Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a light form of massage that helps direct lymph flow and reduce swelling. Cross fiber friction is an aggressive form of massage that can realign scar tissue which improves tissue strength and flexibility. These are just a few of the many benefits that massage can offer.
What Is Swedish Massage?
There is some discrepancy as to who the original creator of the basic “Swedish massage” is, but we do know that the term “swedish massage” was created somewhere around the mid 1800’s. By 1890, physysicians and non-psycisians were publishing text and illustrations defining the “swedish massage” or “classic massage” that is referred to today. The correct application of a swedish massage would include 5 different types of strokes which are effleurage, petrisage, friction, tapotement and vibration.
Massage Therapy Today
In the early part of the 20th century massage was being performed by physical therapists in hospitals. Massage was used to treat World War I patients who suffered from nerve injury or shell shock. In 1927, the New York Society of Medical Massage was formed becoming the first massage association. Massage therapy is now widely accepted and recognized in the medical field as an important means by which we can heal, and is written in many insurance plans as an option to treat various conditions.
Massage At Our Clinic
Massage Therapy in our society has become an umbrella term for hundreds of different types of bodywork. Because of the long reputation “classic” massage has for being effective, our clinic holds close to the true meaning of massage therapy. We use “classic” massage therapy as our foundation for treatment. We incorporate in only those techniques that have been proven effective, such as MFR (Myofascial Release) MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage) TPT (Trigger Point Therapy) and NMR (Nero-Muscular Reeducation) to name a few. Our practitioners are skilled in these areas and will incorporate the modalities that are most appropriate for your care.