Health Tips

Massages

Frequently Asked Questions
American Massage Therapy Association

* What is massage therapy?

o Massage therapy spans a wide variety of therapeutic approaches, working to improve an individual's health and well-being through the hands-on manipulation of muscles and other soft tissues of the body.

* What are the key benefits of massage therapy?

o Physical -- Massage therapy is designed to stretch and loosen muscles, improve blood flow and the movement of lymph throughout the body, facilitate the removal of metabolic wastes resulting from exercise or inactivity, and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. In addition, massage stimulates the release of endorphins -- the body's natural painkiller -- into the brain and nervous system.

o Mental -- Massage therapy provides a relaxed state of alertness, reduces mental stress and enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity.

o Emotional -- Massage therapy satisfies the need for caring and nurturing touch, creates a feeling of well-being and reduces anxiety levels.

* Who can benefit from massage therapy?

o People throughout the life cycle -- from the very young and very old to those in between -- all find that a professional massage can have special applications suited for their needs.

* What is the origin of therapeutic massage?

o Therapeutic massage methods used today have both Eastern and Western origins. The first written records of massage date back 3,000 years to early Chinese folk medicine and ancient Ayurvedic medicine of India. Shiatsu, acupressure and reflexology spring from these Eastern sources, as do other contemporary methods.

o Western civilizations were introduced to therapeutic massage by Greek and Roman physicians. Modern Western massage is credited primarily to Peter Henrik Ling, a 19th century Swedish athlete. His approach, which combines hands-on techniques with active and passive movements, became known as Swedish massage -- still one of the most commonly used methods in the Western world.

* How is massage therapy regarded by the medical community?

o The American Medical Association published a report in September 2000 that said two-thirds of the nation's medical schools teach about herbal therapy, acupuncture, massage or other alternative medicine.

* Is massage therapy a luxury?

o This is a perception that is rapidly changing as massage becomes increasingly accepted as a natural part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, according to one media characterization, "massage is to the human body what a tune-up is to a car. It provides a physical boost to the weary, sore and stressed."

o An increasing body of clinical research confirms that massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, boosts the immune system, and increases endorphins (all may enhance medical treatment).

* What is the average cost of a massage?

o Cost depends upon the type of treatment, the experience of the practitioner, geographic location and length of the massage. Nationally, the range is generally from $45 to $80 for an hour-long treatment, with home visits sometimes more expensive.

* What credentials should a qualified massage therapist have?

o Check to see if the massage therapist is licensed to practice. Thirty states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to regulate the massage therapy profession. If practicing in those states, the massage therapist should hold a current license. Local governments may also regulate massage therapists. In such areas, make sure your massage therapist is licensed in your area.

o A massage therapist should be able to document professional training in massage therapy at a massage training institution such as those accredited by the Commission of Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) or is a member of the AMTA Council of Schools. He/she should be a member of a professional association with high standards for membership and/or be Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB).

o COMTA accredited massage training programs require a stringent course of study, including at least 500 hours of classroom instruction in anatomy and physiology, massage and technique, relationships with clients, plus related subjects. AMTA Professional membership is limited to massage therapists who have demonstrated a level of skill and expertise through testing and/or education. In addition, all AMTA-member therapists must agree to abide by the AMTA Code of Ethics.

* How many massage therapists are there in the U.S.?

o The number of massage therapists is estimated at between 160,000 and 220,000, including part-time and full-time practitioners, and students.

* Where do massage therapists practice?

o Massage therapists offer their services in a wide variety of settings, including:

+ private practice clinics and offices

+ physicians' offices and wellness facilities

+ chiropractors' offices and rehabilitation clinics

+ salons, spas, resorts and cruise ships

+ health clubs and fitness centers

+ nursing homes and hospitals

+ on-site in the workplace

+ in client's homes

* When might the use of massage therapy be inappropriate?

o If you suffer from certain circulatory ailments (such as phlebitis), infectious diseases, certain forms of cancer, cardiac problems, certain skin conditions, or any inflamed or infected tissues, be sure to consult your physician before initiating any massage program. A trained and experienced massage therapist will also be able to tell you when massage is not indicated.

* What should consumers expect when they receive a massage for the first time?

o At first contact, the massage therapist should ask about your reasons for getting a massage, current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle and stress level, and specific areas of pain. If necessary, undressing takes place in private and a sheet, towel or gown is provided for draping during the massage. The therapist will undrape only the part of the body being massaged, ensuring that modesty is respected at all times. The massage takes place on a comfortable padded surface.

* Does the consumer have any responsibilities during the massage?

o A person receiving a massage should give the therapist accurate health information and always report discomfort of any kind -- whether it's from the massage itself or due to room temperature, volume of music, or other distractions.

* How does therapeutic massage fit into a medical practice?

o Physicians are prescribing therapeutic massage for a wide range of medical conditions, including:

+ Allergies

+ Arthritis

+ Asthma and bronchitis

+ Carpal tunnel syndrome

+ Chronic and temporary pain

+ Circulatory problems

+ Digestive disorders, including spastic colon and constipation

+ Headache

+ Insomnia

+ Myofascial pain

+ Reduced range of motion

+ Sinusitis

+ Sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and ligaments

+ Stress

+ Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

Research documents the benefits of therapeutic massage
American Massage Therapy Association

Among NIH-funded studies on therapeutic massage is research that reported:

* Cortisol levels and blood pressure dropped more quickly in post-abdominal surgery patients undergoing massage therapy compared to a control group;

* Cancer patients who had massage therapy while undergoing bone marrow transplant were much less anxious and fatigued;

* HIV-exposed infants who underwent massage therapy fared better than those who did not, in terms of weight gain, neonatal performance and exhibition of stress behaviors;

* Medical and nursing students who had massage therapy demonstrated an increased immune response (immunoglobulin and apoptosis) in the week before professional board exams, compared to those who did not have the treatment.

Massage Therapy and Insurance
American Massage Therapy Association

Responding to consumer demand, many health insurance plans now cover massage provided by a massage therapist or provide affinity discount programs for massage. Many Blue Cross and Blue Shield medical plans now offer such discount programs for massage. In a 1998-99 survey of 114 HMOs, by Landmark Healthcare, 11 percent of the HMOs surveyed said they cover therapeutic massage. Some of the largest managed care organizations, including Aetna US Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente and United Healthcare cover massage and other complementary therapies.

The state of Washington requires insurance plans to include every category of regulated healthcare provider in their provider networks, including massage therapists.

Workers compensation and auto insurance Personal Injury Protection coverage usually cover therapeutic massage.

Once massage therapy is prescribed, the policy holder or physician's office may need to seek authorization from the insurer if coverage is not clearly spelled out in the policy or plan.

Enhancing the Benefits of Your Massage
www.drkoop.com

To get the greatest benefits from your massage, Chris Smith, director of education at the Colorado School of Healing Arts Inc., suggests the following tips:

* Remember that you are in control of the massage and that you have the right to ask for what you want in terms of depth of pressure, massage speed and how much time you want spent on a specific area.

* During the massage, breathe in a relaxed fashion, particularly when the therapist comes across areas that are tight and tense. This will help the muscles relax much more quickly.

* After the massage, take the time to lie on the table and experience your body in its relaxed state. The effects of the massage will last longer if you give your body time to absorb them.

* Drink a lot of water after the massage. Try not to rush out and resume your busy pace right away. To enhance the after-effects of the massage, take a hot bath with Epsom salts when you get home.

Glossary Of Terms
American Massage Therapy Association

* Cranio-Sacral - is a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction.

* Deep Tissue - releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.

* Effleurage - is a stroke generally used in a Swedish massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is applied using both hands.

* Friction - is the deepest of Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.

* Myofascial Release - is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.

* On-site Massage (also known as chair massage or corporate massage) - is administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially designed chair. These chairs most often slope forward allowing access to the large muscles of the back. On-site massage usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is intended to relax and improve circulation.

* Petrissage (also called kneading) - involves squeezing, rolling and kneading the muscles and usually follows effleurage during Swedish massage.

* Reflexology - massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.

* Rosen Method - utilizes gentle touch and verbal communication to help clients to release suppressed emotions and subsequently muscular tension in some instances.

* Shiatsu and Acupressure - Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body).

* Sports Massage - massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.

* Swedish Massage - a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.

* Tapotement - is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.

* Trigger Point Therapy (also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) - applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.

Do-It-Yourself Swedish Foot Massage
www.drkoop.com

Do you have tired, aching feet? Try this simple technique, courtesy of Kenneth Foster, owner and operator of Eagle Wings Therapy in Virginia:

* With your left ankle up on your right knee, place your fingers on top of your left foot and your two thumbs on the bottom side of the foot.

* Keeping thumbs together and starting in the center, just below the ball of the foot, use moderate pressure and hold for a few seconds.

* Continue to work your way down the center of your foot toward the heel, using moderate pressure at half-inch intervals.

* Go back to the center, and traveling in the same direction, repeat the process using a circular motion with your thumbs.

* Repeat the process on the edges of the foot, using pressure first, then circular motions.

To massage your toes:

* Using your right hand on your left foot, place your palm on the bottom of your foot, wrapping your fingers over the top of your toes.

* Gently stretch the toes down toward the floor, bending and stretching them.

* Place one hand on either side of the foot and move one hand forward, while moving one hand back to vibrate the foot.

* Switch feet and repeat the entire procedure.