Providing massage and touch therapy is within the scope of practice of many health care providers including physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists. However, massage is not frequently practiced by these practitioners because of time constraints or lack of comfort with providing massage therapy. Qualified practitioners, who practice massage therapy for pediatric clients, and patients, provide numerous benefits to the child and improve their family’s satisfaction with the care their child receives. This compassionate care can also contribute to a positive healing environment, which has been shown to improve the satisfaction of members of the health care team.

The physical, psychological and emotional benefits of touch for infants, children and pediatric patients who are hospitalized have been well documented in published research studies. Equally documented are the effects of touch deprivation for hospitalized children.

Many health care providers have explored the use of massage for particular populations of children with special health care needs. Overall, the evidence that massage provides global benefits to a child’s health far outweighs any evidence of negative effects.

There are numerous benefits for infants and children contributed to the use of massage and touch therapy. Some studies also show that infants diagnosed with complex medical conditions may find greater benefit from the intervention of massage therapy. Evidence has shown that infants have increased healthy weight gain and respiratory function after they receive appropriate nurturing touch. Their time spent in the hospital has been decreased. Even the amount of time it takes to fall asleep shortens. The length of time the child stays asleep and how deeply, also improves with massage therapy.

For children with special healthcare needs massage therapy is often used to improve muscle tone, joint mobility and respiratory functions. Additionally, as in infants, we also see improved respiration and sleep patterns. And, with the use of specific massage techniques gastrointestinal function improves (regular bowel movements). There are a number of children who are hospitalized simply due to constipation. Massage may be able to change this unfortunate situation.

As someone who cares for infants and young children, in a healthcare environment, surely you may wish to include appropriate nurturing touch into your daily care for the children in your setting. It is important to consider your role as a healthcare provider and consider providing hands-on care, as well as education to encourage families to provide this same care for their children when they are home. Becoming certified in pediatric massage therapy will provide you with the skills necessary to safely and effectively apply hands-on pediatric massage for children who are well, hospitalized or have special healthcare needs. If you receive your certification as an infant massage teacher, you will have the opportunity to provide families with information and hands-on lessons, so parents feel confident in providing massage for their own child. By encouraging and supporting nurturing touch you foster mutual respect, communication and understanding that lasts a lifetime.

Did you know rubbing is one of the many techniques of massaging? If you are a massage therapist, you would also know about rolling, pressing, kneading, rubbing and much more. This article will discuss the rubbing method used in massages. A rubbing massage is also known as friction massage.

The question is how do you perform a good rubbing? You must make the pressure from your fingers or palms strong enough to stay stationary on the surface of the skin and moving the layers below. Perhaps the best explanation for you is a hair wash at the salon. You will notice that the hair assistant rubs your head without moving her fingers much. This is exactly the same movement produced when performing a rubbing massage.

There are 3 types of rubbing massages.

Miser’s rub

This massage is best suited for the client’s toes and fingers.

Circular

This is done by planting your hands securely. Then you move the skin over the tissues in small circles. You can also perform this by doing a longer oval shape type of circular motion on longer limbs like the hands and legs.

Cross fiber

You must first understand that muscle fibers are set up in one direction. For example, your bicep muscles runs from your shoulder to your elbow, up and down. During the cross fiber massage, you rub in a cross-wise direction, against the muscle fiber direction. Who can benefit most from the cross fiber massage? People who are have just suffered a muscle injury. The massage promotes healing of the scar tissue.

As a massage therapist, I work hard to earn repeat customers by way of offering a great service at a price that reflects value for money.

Getting to know a customer and their likes and dislikes over time makes the massage much more easier. Massaging is a highly personal service so any familiarity built over time, helps both the massage therapist and the client relax into what is a very enjoyable experience.

Where there is no ‘standard’ rate of frequency for being massaged, most Massage Therapists would suggest one massage per month is a standard rate of frequency for a repeat customer. More sessions may be required depending on whether an injury or health concern is being treated.

So what happens when a customer starts booking massages weekly, or twice per week, for no reason other than they just ‘like being massaged and massaged by you in particular. In any other profession, accelerated frequency of a customer is a welcome event. In the world of massage, it may actually cause concern to the Massage Therapist.

Could this customer be addicted to massage? If they are, is this a negative thing?

One often associates addition to what are regarded as negative habits – smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive gambling, etc. Or, addiction is often associated to events that give people a ‘rush’ of sorts. High impact sports, bungee jumping, sky diving, etc. But massage? The act of being pampered into slumber!

If we break it down, my belief is that our society has become one where ‘touching’ others is at the very least, avoided – think about the discomfort of standing close to others in an elevator, or how one says ‘sorry’ when they accidentally touch by someone in the street (well most of the time). Consider how we bustle for our own patch of turf on public transport. How we act in the workplace is highly regulated and ‘touching’ of any type may point toward sexual harassment. I don’t disagree with the need to protect all in a workplace against any form of discrimination.

Human beings are programmed to be social – we seek community and we seek the company of others.

Now think about a person, who is either single or in a non affectionate ‘non touching’ relationship. They wake up and go to work and in every instance where they have ‘touched’ someone albeit accidentally, they apologise.

It is actually possible that some people in our society today go through whole days, or even months and never get ‘purposely touched’ in a positive, healing, way by someone.

Could some be using massage as a way of simply being touched? Where does someone go who yearns being touched in a non sexual, healing, pampering way go?

In a society where touching is avoided, discouraged or legislated against, one can see how easily some may become addicted to what in its essence, is a basic human need – being touched.

It is wonderful to achieve relaxation and stress relief by learning these simple massage techniques. A masseur can also vary certain elements, depending on whether the subject wants an intense or calming experience.

Increasing the speed and/or pressure will instantly transform a gentle, relaxing session into a deep tissue experience. The quantity of oil used will depend upon the amount of pressure desired. The more oil, the lighter the pressure.

Most sessions begin with a greeting to the subject’s body. A resting stroke is used, which is exactly what its name implies. One places the hands (usually on the back) for several moments. In addition to establishing a comfortable subject relationship, this stroke also tells the nerves that the masseur is friend, not foe. One can return to the resting stroke as many times as desired.

The actual session usually begins and/or ends with light effleurage of the surface only. The practitioner will skim the surface of the skin with four fingers, as though he is brushing away crumbs. The stroke can move in any direction on the body.

It is easy to transition into whole hand effleurage, which uses a moderate amount of pressure to stroke with the whole hand. Effleurage can also be applied with the heel of the hand and the forearms.

Next, the masseur moves on to a deeper technique, slowly compressing and releasing the large muscles of your thighs, with a slight upward pressure at the end of the stroke. This stroke tends to start out slowly and build in intensity, to condition the muscles. Sometimes the pressure is increased with each stroke.

The fourth stroke is kneading, which feels really good on the shoulders. This stroke involves pulling and rolling, just like working dough. It can be performed in a circular motion. The next technique, ischemic compression, is all about applying pressure with the thumb or the fist to the balls of the feet, both sides of the spine, the palms or anywhere the subject needs relief.

The main stroke of Swedish massage involves simultaneously pressing and rolling on the body. The practitioner may use the elbows for extra intensity. Pressure should only be applied to the client’s comfort level, and not beyond.

When an energizing effect is desired, the masseur will finish up the session with tapotement. This stroke is performed by rhythmically rapping with the sides of the hands. For a more relaxing conclusion, have the masseur complete the massage by slowly repeating the effleurage stroke.

The subject should feel substantially refreshed after this experience.

Massage Techniques For Quick Relaxation

Sitting back, relaxing and just letting go of stress is a benefit of becoming proficient with a few easy massage moves. A masseuse can add variety by tailoring the experience to be either deep or grounding.

Maximizing the rapidity or pressure can quickly change a mild, calming experience into a more intense type of bodywork. The amount of lubricant can change according to the end result that the client wants. Additional lubricant yields a milder session.

The masseuse should first introduce touch gradually, by resting the hands on the client’s back. It only takes an instant for the client to become familiar with a stranger’s presence. The resting stroke also informs the subject’s nerve endings that it is safe to relax. A masseuse can repeat this technique throughout the massage.

The main part of the rub can start and finish with smooth rhythmic stroking exclusively on the skin. The masseuse may brush the body with all fingers except the thumb, just like removing lint from a suit. This technique can progress across the body in a multitude of ways.

Next, the masseuse changes the tempo by rhythmically stroking with the entire hand. This technique employs more force than four-finger effleurage. The masseuse may also use the palms and the arms to perform this stroke.

A professional masseuse can intensify the therapy by deepening her strokes, languidly pressing and letting go of the broad muscle groups in the upper leg. She finishes this portion of the therapy by pushing up on the muscle, which is stretched and relaxed. Another approach is to press harder each time she performs the motion.

A fourth technique is compressing and turning the muscles, and works especially well on the upper arms. Just check out a kitten trying to get its mothers milk, and it is easy to understand what this motion entails. One can also press on a particular spot with one finger or a tightened hand to the bottoms of the feet, muscles near the mid-back, the insides of the hands or on any sore spot.

If the masseuse is performing Esalen style techniques, she may do a stroke that compresses and rotates. She may apply her fists to increase the pressure.

To increase circulation, a masseuse will apply percussive strokes on the larger muscle groups. She does this by tapping on them. If the client wants to end on a calmer note, the masseuse can perform some additional effleurage.

If all of the techniques were employed properly, the client will feel ready to resume their day with greater energy after a massage.

Seven Massage Strokes For Instant Stress Relief

It is easy to master these seven strokes that can reduce stress and facilitate the patron’s well-being. Massage therapists are capable of fine tuning their approach for either deeper therapeutic or more nurturing results.

Speeding up or slowing down and/or using extra compression can measurably transform the recipient’s perception of the session, from one of feeling that their needs are ignored, to feeling that they derived significant benefits. Most practitioners can provide exactly the experience that an individual might seek. Add more lotion for a softer, gentler rub.

First the therapist will gently touch the back, just to say to the patron’s body: “hi, I’m about to start the session.” This immediately calms and reassures the recipient both somatically and mentally. Use of the resting stroke can occur numerous times during the session.

Now comes the main event. Just the skin’s surface is rubbed with an open and relaxed hand. This technique is performed lightly and fluidly on as much of the body surface as desired.

The therapist varies the rhythm by transitioning into a regularly cadenced rubbing motion. Generally, a practitioner will press harder as the session progresses, unless the recipient indicates otherwise. Therapists use an open hand or the forearms to execute this maneuver.

Next, stronger strokes are applied, unhurriedly applying pressure to major tendons in the legs. This movement draws to a close with an upstroke applied to the tissues, alternately extending and allowing the muscles to rest. Gradually intensifying the stroke also works well.

Pressing down and rotating the fibrous tissue comes next in the sequence, which is a good move to use on the appendages. This method of working the body is similar to milking a cow. Alternatively, the therapist will compress a specific area (such as the foot, the spine or the hands) with a single digit or fist. Any aches and pains will respond well to this type of attention.

Swedish manipulation involves squeezing and turning the body’s fibrous tissue. Using a clenched hand will allow the practitioner to apply more force to the desired area.

Drumming energizes and enhances the flow of blood to any part of the body, especially extensive muscle masses. Drumming is performed with the edges of the hands. For a more restful end to the session, more light and fluid strokes can be used.

Massage therapy is an age old cure used to soothe aching tired muscles. One will need to do some research to choose a massage therapist. It is important to know the basics of the art before deciding to get a massage.

Before choosing a drug to cure your sore and aching muscles, look into a more natural way. Massages are a great way to relieve sore muscles while at the same time invoking a feeling of relaxation on the body. Massage therapy is an art that has been practiced for centuries. As one of the earliest forms of relaxation, it dates back to medieval times. It is one of the oldest ways people have used to loosen up.

There are many different types of massage therapy. There is the traditional back massage, but also one can choose a hand, feet or even head massages. It can be a very relaxing and even enjoyable experience.

During a massage, a trained therapist will rub sore muscles and put pressure on certain points of the body. This provides relief to muscles that can ache due to everyday activities or even strain and stress.

Most people use their hands to give a massage; however, it can be done using forearms, elbows and sometimes even feet. It is not uncommon to use other objects such as rocks, rollers or other tools to do the massage. Some people are massaged on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. It is important to make sure that you feel comfortable with the person who is your masseuse.

Massage therapy requires that the masseuse have a variety of different tools on hand. These include, oils used to lubricate the skin as well as provide a relaxing aroma. There are many different types of oil that the masseuse can use. It depends on the situation and the client’s preferences. The therapist will also need a chair or a table for the client to sit in or lay on.

You have a variety of options on where and how you want to get massaged. Massage therapists can work in a variety of different locations including salons, spas and some will even come to your house. It depends on where you feel most comfortable. There are some stores are devoted to doing nothing but massages. It is important to do research on places that have a good reputation for giving massages.

In order to create a relaxing environment, a masseuse will often light candles, play soft music which helps the body loosen up. Massages will have the best effect when a person’s body is not as tense.

In order to be a massage therapist, you must first go to school and get certified. Recently, it has become a popular course of study. Many schools across the country have developed their own massage therapy programs. It is important to go through training to make sure that one knows how to soothe muscles and not hurt his or her clients. Schooling often takes about a year and it is a relatively inexpensive. It is a good career and one can make good money as a masseuse.

Overall, getting massaged can be an enjoyable experience. It is a great way to enjoy a relaxing day or soothe an aching back.