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Additional Information on Massage Therapy

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

The fact that it feels awesome is just one benefit of massage. In addition to being enjoyable, massage has a multitude of health benefits as well. Just to name a few:

  • deep relaxation
  • reduced stress and anxiety
  • reduced blood pressure and heart rate
  • reduced recovery time from exercise or training
  • release of muscular tension
  • increased range of motion
  • reduced pain
  • increased circulation of blood and lymph
  • increased awareness of mind/body connection
  • healthier, better nourished skin
  • improved posture
  • improved self image
  • overall well-being
  • RESEARCH

Once viewed as a luxury or an indulgence, research has now proven that massage therapy provides physical, mental and emotional benefits at all stages of life. Organizations such as the American Massage Therapy Association and the University of Miami School of Medicine's Touch Research Institute have published numerous studies on the effects of massage. In 1992, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - the government agency that oversees and conducts medical research in the United States - opened an Office of Alternative Medicine which has funded numerous studies on the benefits of massage.

STRESS AND MASSAGE

Stress is your physical, mental and emotional response to change, whether the change is positive or negative. Some stress is healthy or positive and can help you through times of challenge. For instance, the charge of adrenaline you get when you're trying to get that project done before the deadline or perform at a difficult sport. The physiological changes that our bodies go through when we are faced with a difficult situation is a phase known as "fight or flight" which gives us the ability to confront or flee from danger. This stress response occurs when a person is presented with a real or imagined threat to their safety or well-being. The endocrine system and the autonomic nervous systems activate a series of physiological changes. The heart rate increases and blood is diverted from the skin and internal organs to the skeletal muscles, giving us power to act quickly. Digestion is inhibited, breathing is shallow, the mouth is dry and the pupils dilate. After the challenge has been met, your bodily functions return to normal, you relax and resume normal activities.

A prolonged period of stress with no relief is the cause of the physical and mental ills associated with stress. Chronic stress has been proven to impair the function of the immune system, leaving us vulnerable to many diseases from the common cold to cancer. Chronic health problems associated with stress include:

  • Tension headache
  • Backache
  • Ulcers
  • Colitis
  • Blood sugar irregularities
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Heart disease
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Depression
  • Frequent colds and infections
  • Sleeping or eating disorders

Therapeutic massage helps to restore balance and return the body to normal. The long smooth strokes used in massage activate a relaxation response by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. The heart rate and blood pressure are lowered, breathing is deeper, the muscles relax and the blood flow returns to the skin and internal organs, resuming normal digestion and blood circulation.

Chronic stress often leaves persistent muscular tension and painful trigger points. These problems respond well to Deep Tissue Massage.

The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative. Therefore, it is optimal to receive massage on a regular basis. From one session to the next you are able to relax more and more as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are released. These changes will also be felt in your day-to-day life.

YOUR FIRST MASSAGE-Full Body

ARRIVE EARLY! If you have an appointment scheduled at 5:00 arrive at 4:45 to fill out the forms!

If you've never received a therapeutic massage, you may feel a little intimidated or have a misunderstanding of the process. When you arrive at Student Health Services you will be asked to complete a brief health form. This will help the therapist design a massage that will be most beneficial for you and will indicate any conditions for which massage is not appropriate.

After explaining the process to you, the therapist will leave the room while you undress and lie on a table which is specially designed for strength and comfort. You will be covered by a sheet, but a blanket is available should you need more warmth. The room will be quiet with soft music to enhance the relaxation experience.

Lie back and get comfortable. Most people begin by closing their eyes and taking a few deep breaths. You may wish to just relax quietly and absorb the experience, taking time to connect with your body parts as they are massaged. Express any concerns or discomfort to you therapist. She will welcome your input and make any adjustments necessary. Remember that this is your massage. To enhance the relaxation effects of your massage, here are some tips:

  • Leave beepers and cell phones at home or turn them off.
  • Tell the therapist about specific areas where you feel tension.
  • Use the massage as a form of meditation.
  • Give yourself permission to relax and enjoy the pleasure of the massage.
  • Keep talking to a minimum, as it is a distraction to your relaxation and to the therapist's concentration

The therapist will use a lotion to allow the muscles to be worked on without causing undue friction. Only the body part which is being worked on will be uncovered, and at no time will your modesty be compromised. The genital area and female breast area are absolutely never exposed.

The massage begins with long broad strokes to warm and soften the muscles and calm your nervous system. Gradually, the therapist will work deeper into the tissues to release tension in more specific areas. Therapeutic massage will be the basic technique, however the therapist may introduce other techniques depending on the client's needs. During the massage, every effort will be made to see that the client is comfortable and relaxed.

The most common length of time for a massage is one hour. This allows enough time for a deeply relaxing full body massage or an in depth treatment to problem areas. A half hour is a good introduction to massage, allowing enough time for a partial body treatment such as the back, legs, feet and head.

At the end of the massage, the therapist will leave the room while you get dressed. After a massage treatment you should try to drink plenty of water, as the massage you just received has released toxins from your muscles and it is good to flush your system. After a massage, you may initially feel very relaxed and feel like napping or getting a good night of rest. After this initial period, many people feel energized for several days following a massage.

Reference: http://www.udel.edu/shs/massage.html