What is Massage?

Theraputic Massage
Alternative Medicine:The Definitive Guide. Compiled by The Burton Goldberg Group. Future Medicine Publlishing Group, Inc. Washington. ©1994

Massage can benefit such conditions as muscle spasm and pain, spinal curvatures (lordosis, scoliosis), soreness related to injury and stress, headaches, whiplash, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), and tension-related respiratory disorders such as bronchial asthma or emphysema. Massage can also help reduce swelling, help correct posture, improve body motion, and facilitate the elimination of toxins from the body. Studies indicate that massage:

has a sedative effect upon the nervous system and promotes voluntary muscle relaxation.

is effective in promoting recovery from fatigue produced by excessive exercise.

can relieve certain types of pain.

provides effective treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions by increasing lymphatic circulation.

helps reduce swelling from fractures.

affects circulation through the capillaries, veins, and arteries, and increases blood flow through the muscles.

can loosen mucus and promote drainage of sinus fluids from the lungs by using percussive and vibratory techniques.

Benefits of Massage
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals ©

Massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial to many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis, and bursitis. Massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.

Massage provides relief to people from all walks of life - the weekend or competitive athlete, the home gardener, the overstressed executive struggling to keep pace in today's economy. Secretaries, laborers, waitresses - anyone can feel a need for massage at some point in time. The older population, as well, will benefit from massage, as it can enhance flexibility and circulation.
The services of a bodywork professional may be covered by health insurance when prescribed by a chiropractor or osteopath. Therapies provided as part of a prescribed treatment by a physician or registered physical therapist are often covered.

What Can Massage Treat?

Massage can ease stress becuause it:

Gives you more energy

improves your outlook on life
reduces injury and illness
relieves asthma, anxiety, and insomnia
provides supportive therapy

Chronic Tension Headaches

Twenty million Americans suffer chronic tension headaches, pain that strikes five to 15 times a month. Researchers in Denmark speculated that because a study found chiropractic spinal manipulation could help a different type of headache, one caused by neck strain, it might relieve tension headaches too. They studied 75 sufferers. Half received spinal manipulation plus upper-back massage twice a week for a month. The other half received just massage and a "placebo" of useless laser light beamed at their neck. The chiropractic treatment proved no better at pain relief.

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