What is Massage?

I’m very excited to introduce you to my new Highbrations Wellness blog!  This is an educational blog with professional opinions intertwined on different aspects of Massage, Reiki and Tarot. This will be based on my 22 years of education and experience in Massage and Reiki and 6 years of experience in Tarot.  I’m thrilled to combine my passion for the above with my additional passion of writing.  I hope you enjoy!

Now let’s get into massage!  Massage is the scientific and systematic manipulation of soft tissue for the purpose of promoting health and healing. Massage can be administered with the palm of hand, knuckles, fingers, forearm, elbow, knee or foot.  And, yes, there is actually, a whole modality of massage known as “the Barefoot Massage”, but I’ll get into types of massage later.

History of Massage

Massage goes way back historically to ancient times. It has probably been around as long as there’s been hands, knees or feet and tense muscles and mental stress.  I’m really not sure if that’s historically accurate, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was.  Archaeological evidence of massage can be found in Egypt, India, China and Greece.  One example is evidence in paintings in Egyptian tombs of massage and Reflexology being practiced. Another example is Greek physician Hippocrates transformed massage into a rational medical discipline, used it in his treatments and described the benefits of anointing oil (applying oil).

In the 19^th century massage had some incredible growth and evolution, but also some scandalous practices.  Pehr Henrik Ling, the Father of Swedish Massage, who was a fencing instructor, created Swedish massage in the early 1800’s to help his students perform better, recover better and have less injury. Dutch physician, Johan Metzer refined the techniques of Swedish massage and was given credit for making massage a part of physical therapy treatment. In the late 1800’s, Dr. John Harvey Kellog used massage and hydrotherapy in numerous holistic healing treatments at his Battle Creek Sanitarium and published the book, The Art of Massage in 1895. (Yes, the same Kellogg family that created the cereal.) On the flip side, massage therapy’s reputation tarnished by malpractices of high fees for services, false claims about practitioners’ education and skills and massage parlors that gave massage therapy the stigma the profession still fights against today.

In the 20^th Century, the massage therapy industry organized and formed organizations that created formal education, state boards, state boards examinations, ethical and professional standards and lobbies for massage therapy in government. This improved the industry’s credibility and reputation, though the stigma still lingers. Presently, there are an estimated 300,000-350,000 licensed massage therapists in the United States and 1 to 1.5 million active massage therapists around the world.  Massage therapy is utilized in spas, medical spas, chiropractor’s offices, physical therapist’s offices, acupuncturist’s offices, doctor’s offices, wellness centers, hospitals, hospice facilities, in-home, at-events, airports, hotels, resorts, and on cruise ships, just to name a few places. The industry continues to grow, advance and promote health in millions of people globally.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

If I were to list all of the benefits of massage therapy, this blog would be more of a novelette. Massage promotes balance and healing on a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level by relieving tension and stress. Massage therapy helps to promote health in every system of the body (muscular, circulatory, nervous, digestive, etc).  It improves the health of the muscular system by assisting in increasing circulation, aiding in relaxing the muscles and connective tissue in the body. It is supportive in reducing the risk of injury. Massage alleviates pain giving client’s another option for relief and management of pain. Ever wonder why massage relaxes us so much?  Well, besides the fact that the client is laying down in a dimly lit room with relaxing music playing and calming aromatherapy and for most of my client’s, it’s one of the rare times of their day that they have the opportunity to slow down and be still.  Physiologically, massage increases the “relaxing/feel good” hormones in the brain, serotonin and endorphins, and decreases the “stress” hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. Massage is also a form of self-care providing space for clients to focus and take care of their wellbeing.  And those are just a few of many benefits of massage therapy.

Types of Massage

There are over 75 different modalities practiced all around the world.  Here are a few, some of which are on my menu of services.

·       Swedish-A basic massage where long, flowing strokes, lifting movements, light stretching and joint mobilization techniques are applied to the muscles to induce relaxation and increase the circulation.

·       Deep Tissue- A more specific massage addressing muscle attachments and the deeper layers of tissue using techniques such as direct pressure and myofascial release helping to relax muscle spasms, break up scar tissue and release trigger points. I also incorporate neuromuscular techniques into my deep tissue massage.

    Prenatal- A gentle massage designed for the pregnant woman allowing her to destress while lying in a position comfortable for her. Benefits include relieving pain and discomfort, regulating hormones, reduction of swelling and providing a tranquil environment for mother-to-be and baby.

·       Traditional Thai/Table Top Thai- Part of Thailand's traditional medicine, this Eastern-style massage combines assisted yogic stretching and acupressure to help eliminate pain, increase mobility of muscles and joints and stimulates energy lines in the body. Thai Massage is traditionally administered on a comfortable mat. Table Top Thai brings these techniques onto the massage table.

·       Swe-Thai- East meets West in this unique massage that combines the calming strokes of Swedish massage with the yogic stretching and acupressure of Traditional Thai Massage, loosening muscles and joints and alleviating tension. I think it’s the best of both worlds.

·       Cupping- Originating in Asian bodywork, a method in which a suction cup or a warmed cup (to create suction) is placed upside down directly on the skin, creating a vacuum. Suctions the skin and soft tissue that boosts blood flow, releases muscle tension, and promotes healing.

·       Sports- A specialized therapy for athletes, focusing on improving performance, preventing injuries and speeding recovery by using deep tissue work, stretching, and friction on specific muscle groups. 

·       Medical- A targeted bodywork therapy concentrated on treating specific injuries, chronic pain, or medical conditions. 

·       Neuromusclar- A directed therapy targeting chronic pain by releasing trigger points and fascia through sustained pressure, aiming to restore blood flow, nerve function and proper movement by addressing the nervous system’s role in pain.  

·       Myofascial- A use of massage techniques such as applied heat, friction, torquing, skin rolling transforms fascia from a thicker, tougher, inflexible state to a thinner, pliant, elastic, less restrictive state. 

·       Lymphatic-Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle massage technique that uses light, rhythmic strokes to stimulate the lymphatic system, encouraging it to move excess fluids, toxins and waste from tissues back into the bloodstream for proper removal, effectively reducing swelling and boosting immune function.

·       Shiatsu-a Japanese Asian bodywork therapy that uses pressure on the surface of the skin along energy pathways called channels or merdians to encourage and balance the harmonic flow of energy throughout the body, mind and spirit.

·       Ashiatsu-“foot pressure” also known as “the Barefoot massage”.  A barefoot massage method where the therapist uses their feet instead of hands to deliver deep, broad, and consistent pressure. The therapist uses bars above the table to balance themselves and control the pressure. 

Do’s and Don’t of Receiving A Massage

Do’s

1.       Receive a massage regularly. Once a month is much more effective than once every 6 months. Twice a month is even better.

2.       Mentally prep for your massage. Arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment or if you are receiving an in-home massage, begin to wind down about 15 minutes before. Use the restroom, if needed. Have a few sips of water or herbal tea. Do some relaxation techniques. Five minutes of meditation or breathing techniques can make a significant difference.

3.       Breathe deeply during your massage and try your best to keep your body completely relaxed.

4.       Hydrate before and after.  We should be hydrating everyday whether we’re getting a massage or not.

5.       Do the homework your massage therapist recommends.  Improving the health of your body and the quality of your life is a team effort.

6.       Enjoy your massage!

Don’ts

1.Wait until something hurts to schedule a massage.  You are certainly welcome to, but it’s better to get into the habit of regular preventative maintenance.

2.       Drink alcohol or take recreational drugs before your massage.  Remember, massage increases the circulation, so it can amplify the effects of whatever is in your blood. 

3.       Receive a massage when you are sick. It can actually make your illness worse and you’re exposing your therapist to your sick germs. Not cool!  If you are experiencing any symptoms, reschedule your massage.

4.       Try to “help” during massage when the therapist moves your limbs or other areas of your body.  Like lifting your leg when the therapist is trying to move it to adjust the sheet or holding your arm out stiff like you have Rigor mortis. It’s essentially counter-productive to what the therapist is trying to do.  The therapist is going to reposition your arms, legs or head for draping and undraping purposes, stretching purposes or a specific massage technique.  The best thing to do is to keep your body still and relaxed and let the therapist move these areas how they need to. 

5.       Schedule something immediately after your massage.  Hey, I get it, sometimes you just gotta fit that massage in to your schedule, but it’s more ideal to create some space to be able to continue to relax after.

So that's just a bit about massage, lol. I promise I did my best to condense it down. Massage has been around for so long, has so many benefits and so many aspects to it, information on it is practically endless. Millions of people enjoy the advantages of massage everyday. You could be the next one. Stay tuned for my next blog: What is Reiki?