Used for centuries, massage therapy provides both physical and emotional relief. It helps to heal by increasing blood flow and releasing built up emotions. Other benefits include relieving sore muscles and reducing stress. Practitioners that are licensed must take numerous courses prior to licensure and then even more after to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Natural remedies, such as touch, appeal to many people. They believe that an individual should not be overly reliant on prescription medications or technological medical procedures for most of their ailments. The elderly, athletes and people with a lot of stress usually find this type of procedure very beneficial.

The tendency to store emotions within the body is completely human. Once they build up, they cause aches in places that a person would not think would normally hurt. A regular occurrence of this for many is at the bottom of the neck, just between the shoulder blades. However, this is not the sole place that it occurs. Massage forces these emotions to be released from their storage areas and from the body itself.

During sessions, many people tend to get emotionally overwhelmed and without knowing why. They may begin crying or become angry with very little reason that they can see. However, the reason is the release of pent up emotions, which following the initial outset, will help the person to feel much more relaxed. Having regular sessions reduced the overwhelming nature of the releases.

Those who are athletic in nature, perhaps competing in races or working out frequently, tend to put added pressure on their joints, tendons, muscles and bones. Massage reduces inflammation, which causes pain and injury. As it is very beneficial for two key ailments of most athletes, shin splints and joint pain, it should be sought regularly.

The aging effects of a reduction in blood flow are apparent in the look of the skin. The epidermis is tremendously benefited from applied pressure. The elderly cannot only benefit in their exterior looks by increasing their blood flow, but also in the pain felt in their joints or from arthritis. These symptoms are often reduced by massage.

This type of therapeutic treatment has been very useful in helping women that experience water retention and cramping during their premenstrual cycle. It helps to provide a release for the fluids and get the blood moving better. For those carrying a child, it helps to relieve some of the pain associated with child birth. The power of touch has also been known to help lessen breathing and respiratory problems associated with asthma. This all has to do with the advantages of increasing the circulation of the blood.

For many purposes, massage therapy is not meant to replace modern medicine as a treatment. It is a holistic approach to staying healthy and reducing negative stress or symptoms that could be problematic in the future, causing a need for modern medicine. Everyone receives a session in a different way and has a different need for it. However, anyone that makes it a regular occurrence can benefit from its provisions.

Of the many different causes of back pain, one of the most common involves damage to the muscles of the back.

Pain associated with an injured muscle is often short-lived. Muscle sprains from overuse, stress and overextension generally heal within a week. The muscles of the back can, however, experience long-term injury. If a muscle is constantly strained, tense or weak, a serious injury can develop that effects more than the muscle itself.

Fascia is a connective tissue that serves many functions in the body, one of which is to surround and protect muscles. Muscular fascia, or myofascia, becomes inflamed when it is near a damaged area. Inflammation is an attempt by the immune system to flood compromised areas of the body with chemicals that promote healing. Chronic inflammation, however, is harmful.

Inflamed myofascia causes severe muscle tightness and pain. Symptoms of this condition include sciatica, headaches and a limited range of motion due to the muscle restriction.

Massage therapy is often used to relieve muscle-related back pain. This non-invasive treatment alleviates pain caused by short-term muscle damage and long-term myofascial inflammation.

How Massage Therapy Works

Massage can stretch out tensed fascia and press inflammation fluids out of the area. Massages also relaxes tensed muscles. This reduction of tension and inflammation greatly decreases back pain. Massage also releases endorphins that boost mood and modify pain perception.

When massaged, the flow of blood increases and tissues like fascia become more pliable. This helps to restore proper functioning to the area.

Massage therapy was adopted from Chinese tradition. It was founded on the theory that the body contains energy fields that become blocked, and that massage can loosen blockages. Some practitioners still perform massages with the intent of balancing the flow of energy throughout the body.

Finding a Massage Therapist

Your search for the right massage therapist should begin by asking yourself what results you are seeking. Massage can serve many functions, and not all therapists perform every kind. Do you want stress management, energy balance, pain management, realignment therapy or injury treatment?

Another factor to consider is cost. If you’ve obtained a referral from a doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist or osteopath, your insurance may cover the bill.

Masseuses generally earn by the hour. Rates vary widely between different regions, but the University of Minnesota estimates the national average at $60.00 an hour.

If you are seeking occasional relaxation, maintenance or energy balance, one session a month may suit you. For stress management, two sessions a month is recommended. If you are require pain management, one session a week is suggested.

Before, During and After the Massage

Before:

Take a hot shower to loosen the muscles of the back.

It is generally a bad idea to eat just before a session, since lying on a full stomach while pressure is applied to your back can be uncomfortable.

During:

Remember to breathe. When painful areas are pressed upon, the discomfort can lead you to unwittingly hold your breathe. Remind yourself to breathe, since oxygen must be delivered to the massaged area.

Speak up. If something makes you uncomfortable, whether it is the pressure applied or the fact of being touched, communicate this feeling with the massage therapist. The more the therapist knows, the better he or she can help you avoid discomfort.

After:

It is important to stay well hydrated for 24 hours after receiving a massage. Massage releases toxins that must be flushed out of the system before they begin to recirculate.

Take a bath to prolong soothing effects by keeping your muscles loose.

Try it Out

Massage can reduce inflammation and repair muscles. If you’re suffering back pain due to muscle damage or myofascial inflammation, massage therapy may be a vital component of your treatment plan.

Keep in mind that massage can improve the health of the back in a number of ways. Aside from its effectiveness, massage has the benefit of being pleasurable. Not often do we encounter medicine that we can enjoy; massage can please your body and your mind.

When massage therapists finish school and begin working, they might not immediately think of developing their skills for a niche market – after all, massage school is just the beginning, and you learn some of your most invaluable skills on the job! While most massage therapists focus on perfecting their Swedish and deep-tissue skills before moving on to advanced modalities, it is always a good idea to continue to think about how you want to develop your massage career. This way, you can take the classes and training necessary to develop your specialty early on.

Making the Most out of Continuing Education

Throughout the nation, massage therapists must abide by a professional licensing code that requires continuing education in areas such as communicable diseases, CPR training, ethics, and general education. While many massage therapists take the minimum number of courses, or pick available courses close to home that are convenient or inexpensive, it is important to take advantage of this educational opportunity, and pick classes ahead of time that align with your specific interests.

For example, students who have considered furthering their massage career within Reiki, neuromuscular massage therapy (NMT), or medical massage should consider that these modalities require several lengthy and in-depth courses, and can take several months, or years to fully complete. And while the process toward this type of certification is indeed more time consuming than, for example, a weekend class in hot stone technique, it is a step toward a worthwhile skill that not only boosts a resume, but also brings in new clients, helps massage therapists market themselves more effectively, and lays the groundwork for a lengthy and profitable massage career.

Start by browsing different continuing education options offered at schools in your immediate area, as well as regionally. Educate yourself about the time requirements, cost, and specific details about each modality, and truly consider what it takes to become a seasoned professional in that field. This way, you can maximize your time and money on required continuing education courses.

Sports Massage, Reiki, Pregnancy Massage, and More

When you envision yourself working as a massage therapist several years down the line – where do you see yourself working? In a chiropractor’s office? For a ballet troupe, football team, or running club? Maybe in a holistic center, spa, or independent practice? Every massage therapist enters the profession for various reasons, and it is important to understand what excites and motivates you about a massage career. Some massage therapists are particularly athletic or interested in sports, and it is this type of therapist who is most often attracted to sports massage. Therapists who enter this practice often work with athletes before, during, and after sports events to prevent injuries, and to treat existing injuries.

Medical massage encompasses several techniques, and can include sports massage, craniosacral therapy, and NMT. Medical massage and its associated practices are often performed by therapists with an interest in injury treatment and prevention as a full time massage career. Other massage therapists gravitate toward energy healing, such as Reiki, which is purported to create a healing effect physically, mentally, and spiritually. Therapists who hold an interest in Reiki may also be interested in acupressure, or aromatherapy. Therapists who wish to expand their practice to accommodate pregnant clients may be interested in becoming certified in pregnancy massage, which enables massage therapists to understand and perform a medically appropriate massage for a mother-to-be.

Whatever your interest for a long-term massage career, there are continuing education training courses available to further your chosen specialty. Again, think about why you want to pursue a specific specialty, and what you think it will give back to you and your clients. Do you see yourself utilizing the specialty skills for years with your clients? If so, carefully consider with whom you will spend your time and money. Find the right program and begin another educational journey. You and your clients will benefit from your endeavors as you pursue your preferred niche in the vast world of advanced massage education.

Certification and Training

Finally, sometimes continuing education classes and experience aren’t the only thing massage therapists need to practice a specialty in the field. Check with your state licensing board to ensure you have met the minimum credit hours for a special modality. To date, there is no licensing body for Reiki, but it is required to have achieved a “Level III” status in order to promote yourself as a Reiki master in your massage career.

Likewise, pregnancy massage is not governed by an accredited body, but most continuing education providers will not issue a certification until the student has completed a minimum number of credit hours, typically supported by graded exams, practical sessions, and homework. For certification in neuromuscular therapy massage as a career, massage therapists must take continuing education courses, schedule and sit for an exam, and receive a score evidencing competency in the field. The school or instructor of an advanced massage therapy specialty should be able to explain any applicable certification requirements.

Finding a specialty is an excellent step for massage therapists in their long term career, as it not only enables them to become well educated and better able to treat clients, but exposes the therapist to a whole new field of massage, and its benefits. So if you’re considering developing a specialty, do your research, ask questions, and have fun learning about how you can further your massage career while helping your clients.

Self-massage is one of the quickest and most affordable solutions to achieve muscle pain relief. The following massage tips are very simple. Anyone can do them. These recommendations can help prevent injuries, improve mobility and alleviate pain.

Although this is safe advice given by a professional registered massage therapist, please discontinue if you experience any pain or consult with your doctor if you have any specific health condition before you try them.

1. Observe and adjust your postural habits: Are your legs crossed when sitting? Do you sit on your wallet? Must you turn your neck to the side to look at your computer screen? Do you do repetitive movements? Do you tend to carry your child on the same side of your body? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you are creating muscle imbalances, which, even though may seem harmless now, are in fact precursors to injuries. Correcting the source is the best way to eliminate pain.

2. Hydrotherapy: To ice or not to ice? That is the question most often asked when it comes to injuries and muscle pain relief. When in doubt, use ice for a maximum of 10 minutes. Ice is normally used to decrease inflammation (an excessive healing reaction that causes pain, redness, swelling and heat), which usually occurs during a sudden accident like an ankle sprain. Heat is only used once there is no more inflammation. Its job is to improve circulation, which promotes healing. It calms the nervous system and decreases chronic muscle tension. 20 minutes is sufficient.

3. Self-massage: Tennis or golf balls are practical tools when you need instant muscle pain relief. You can roll the ball on your neck and shoulder with the palm of the hand to relieve tight neck muscles. By simply placing the ball on the floor you can lay your upper back (the fleshy area between your spine and your shoulder-blade) or your lower back (avoiding the spine) on top of it. Keep your knees bent as you use your legs to control your body rolling over the ball. Another self-massage tip for sciatica is to sit on the ball on a chair using your hands over the armrest for support and pressure control.

4. Stretching: Think of the muscle as an elastic band. It will most likely stretch further and more smoothly when it is warm rather than if it was cold. The same principle applies for a muscle. To stretch tight neck muscles, look straight ahead and bend your neck so that one ear is leaning towards the shoulder on the same side. You may add the weight of your hand and hold for 2 minutes or 30 seconds repeated 4 times. Do the same for the opposite side. This may seem like a long time but it is necessary for muscle memory. Less than 30 seconds is pointless. Another stretch for the hip/buttock and low back area is to sit straightly on a 90 degree angled chair and to cross the right ankle over the left knee or thigh. Place the right hand on the right bent knee and lean forward gradually applying pressure on the knee to increase the stretch. Feel a painless stretch and hold for 2 minutes or 30 seconds repeating 4 times. Do the same for the opposite leg.

Being your own registered massage therapist is more than just giving yourself a massage; it is also about awareness and listening to your body.

How do we show ourselves and each other that we really love and care for one another? It is known as touch and the art of touch is self-massage. Studies show that without self-massage or massage, we humans will become ill; for babies they will lose weight, have a hard time growing up healthy, and will have a hard time developing healthy relationships with themselves and others. This touch can be from a loving caring parent, taker, sibling or any other person who is looking after the baby. As adults, without the tender caring touch, the body’s immune systems become compromised and we will also become ill, depressed, confused and the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies start to break down.

Self-massage or massage is not just a touch; it is a way of showing love, caring, healing, and appreciation for yourself and others. A lot of us think that when we use the word “touch” it means sexual, but that is far from the truth. Without self-massage or massage we cannot become the healthy, happy and loving human being we should be. Self-massage or massage is touch with a healing twist to it. For many humans without family, friends, or partners, there is always a way of having the greatest healing art of touch and this is though self-massage or massage. When we give our own self a massage, the body, mind and soul take a big breath of fresh air, helping to maintain, and prevent illness.
Learning self-massage or, as a partner, or just a friend, giving massage, what great gift to give someone you love or really care for!

All it takes is to learn some simple techniques that can be used on oneself or shared with someone you care for. This is also a wonderful way to get to know your own body. If self-massage or massage feels good to you, you will let a friend, family or partner know just how good it made you feel and they might want to try it too!

Here are the five major techniques that to first learn how to do safely. Effleurage (long strokes); Kneading (lifting, squeezing, along with rolling); Vibration (quick movement of skin); Friction (pressure on skin) and last but not least, Fanning (gentle, soft finishing stroke). Once you have learned, practiced, and experienced these strokes you can share, teach and pass on this life changing gift of touch; “Self-Massage!”