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This guide has been put together to allow you to gather information about massage, and decide whether it's the right therapy for you.

History

Touch as a healing method has developed through many different cultures, especially the Chinese, Egyptian, Persian and Japanese. Evidence has been documented since 2000 BC. In India, Hatha Yoga developed, introducing the concepts of Prana and Chakras.

Why Does Massage Exist As A Treatment?

The first time most people are aware of a muscle problem, is when it aches, or when you tear or strain a muscle. The pain is a reminder that you do use muscles for movement , and to maintain your posture, as well as breathing!

Why People Develop Problems:

• Stress, from work environments, relationships and events
• A result of overuse during work or sport, driving etc
• Poor posture
• Poor technique during sport, lifting objects, work
• Accidents or trauma
• An inefficient working environment, lack of information and habits formed while young, which can be noticed as aches and pains, reduced range of motion or movement of a joint, muscle spasms, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), low back pain etc.

Massage can be used effectively in the treatment of conditions that involve a soft tissue element.

The following conditions can be helped in conjunction with physiotherapy, or medical practitioner:

• Stress and tension
• Tennis elbow
• Soft tissue injuries
• Migraines
• Frozen shoulder
• Reduced range of motion in joints
• Joint pain
• Bursitis
• Neck pain
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Period pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Sciatica/ low back pain
• Torn or strained muscles
• Sprained joints or ligaments

Massage can have an excellent effect on nervous people who have been dependent on their pharmacy for rest and relaxation.

Effects and Benefits

Massage affects the body as a whole and is known to:

• Increase the circulation of blood and flow of lymph
• Cause changes in the blood chemistry , through effecting the central nervous system, endocrine system/ hormones, and relaxation of muscles to allow waste products ( metabolites) from muscle use to be removed
• Help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles
• Help posture and promote more efficient effective movement
• Speed recovery from the fatigue that occurs after exercise
• Assist in preventing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
• Increase the body's secretions and excretions, and raise the metabolic rate of soft tissues
• Balance the nervous system , sympathetic and parasympathetic
• Enhance skin condition through relaxation of the underlying tissues
• Affect internal organs and their ability to function
• Aid recovery from soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains
• Relax the body and aid in stress reduction through the removal of tension

Different Types Of Massage

Sports & Remedial
This focuses on the muscles relevant to the particular athletic activity or muscular dysfunction. It also can include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques. Remedial massage is aimed at looking at the postural problems that individuals have, and assisting in correcting those problems.

This can take the form of a combination of stretches, connective tissue work, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, neuromuscular technique, muscle energy technique, positional release, soft tissue release, Myofascial release, visceral mobilisation, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

A sports or remedial massage therapist will have undertaken many more courses, from in-depth anatomy and physiology, to injuries, their treatment and prevention, deep tissue techniques and advanced stretching. This additional training allows them to work in conjunction with a medical practitioner or physiotherapist to assist in the healing process.

Swedish & Body ( normally found in Beauty Salons & Spas)
Designed primarily to relax muscles consisting of effleurage, petrissage, tapotment and frictions. These are techniques which are applied in a light manner to promote a sense of well being and relaxation.

The massage is provided in a non-medical capacity, and the knowledge of anatomy and physiology is at a basic level. These masseurs are often trained in beauty treatments as well as relaxation and body massage. They are not trained to carry out treatments in a medical capacity or provide advice regarding injuries.

On-Site Or Chair Massage
This is often a short (15-20 minute) massage of a client sitting in a special, portable massage chair. The client remains fully clothed and no oils are used while their shoulders, neck, upper back, head and arms are massaged. This is used in many office environments to relieve neck or shoulder tension and stress.

Neuromuscular Therapy
Uses advanced concepts in pressure therapy to break the stress-tension-pain cycle, by applying pressure to trigger points to release the muscle in spasm, and restore muscles to a healthy state and length .

Myofascial Release
Used to evaluate and treat restrictions in the body's contractile connective tissues (muscles) and non-contractile supportive connective tissues (fascia), by the application of gentle traction, pressures, positioning and breathing techniques for relaxation. It uses the body's ability on the out breath to assist in relaxation of the tissue.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage
It blends soothing, gentle, rhythmical, precise massage-like movements to accelerate the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body. This assists in reducing swelling or oedema, and the flow of metabolites from the tissues to be excreted.

Choosing A Therapist

Over the years there have been many courses in sports massage that have been advertised, but very few are actually recognized by any governing body . This can make it difficult to find out who is qualified to treat you in terms of massage. Make sure you can see evidence of recognised qualifications, and membership of a professional governing body.

It is extremely important to ask questions about the therapist, and the type of treatment you require. When you arrive check that they offer you a consultation and take a full medical history from you. This is a must for insurance purposes as well as checking that you are a suitable candidate for massage.

Sports massage therapists are trained to deal in sports injuries; they are not trained to diagnose them. This is best left to the medical professionals.

Questions To Ask Your Therapist Before Attending An Appointment

• Name and address
• Qualifications
• Length in practice
• Any specialties, i.e. sports injuries etc
• Where did they train
• Who did they train with
• Membership of any professional governing body
• Types of treatment performed
• Length of treatment session
• Referrals , if the treatment is not suitable for you
• Costs

By 2002, the national standard for massage therapy will come into place in the UK, and currently only those people who are a member of the following organizations will be able to practice sports massage.

• London and Counties Society of Physiology
• Institute of Massage GB
• Scottish Massage Therapists
• They are all under the umbrella of the Council of Massage Therapy Organisations.

Further Information

By Vickki Byrne BSc Hons. LCSP (Assoc), FSMT (Full) Sports Massage Therapist (Level 3)