Massage Therapy

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KEY POINTS

• Massage therapy includes any "hands-on" movement of a joint, muscles, or other tissue by a professional massage therapist.
• Massage therapy may help with problems such as pain, lack of flexibility, limited range of motion, and stress.

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What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy includes any "hands-on" movement of a joint, muscles, or other tissue by a professional massage therapist. Massage can increase your range of motion and strength and lessen pain and stiffness. Releasing tension in muscles and other soft tissues may:

• Improve blood flow
• Reduce healing time from injuries
• Help you feel relaxed

There are many kinds of massage, including:

• Swedish massage, which involves rubbing your muscles with long gliding strokes
• Deep tissue massage, which involves deeper pressure than Swedish massage to reach the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and joint tissues
• Trigger point therapy, which uses cycles of pressure and release on a tight area of muscle tissue that causes pain, called a trigger point
• Myofascial release, which uses gentle pressure on stiff areas of myofascial tissue, which is the covering that surrounds, connects, and supports muscles
• Sports massage, which helps you be more flexible, reduces muscle fatigue, and helps prevent injuries caused by your sport
• Infant massage, which involves slowly and gently rubbing each part of a baby's body. It can help premature or low birthweight babies gain weight. Mothers can learn to do infant massage themselves.

When is it used?

Massage may help increase the flow of blood and lymph fluid, release tension and scar tissue in muscles, and improve posture and flexibility. Massage has been shown to help with:

• Pain, such as back or neck pain, or pain from cancer (Massage is not recommended right after you have chemotherapy or radiation therapy.)
• Anxiety
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Sleep problems
• Post-exercise muscle soreness
• Relaxation and stress reduction

You should not have massage therapy if you have recently had surgery or if you have:

• A skin infection
• Blood clots
• Swelling or fever
• Unhealed wounds

How does it work?

Your first session will include being asked questions about your symptoms, any other medical treatments you are having, and any medicines that you take. Tell the therapist if you have any allergies. Some massage oils and lotions contain herbs or nut oils.

Depending on the kind of massage you are having and your comfort level, you may or may not need to take off clothing. Most often, you will lie on a massage table and the therapist will work on one part of your body at a time. In a full body massage, the therapist will work on your arms, hands, legs, feet, back, head, neck, and shoulders. You will not be touched on or near your genitals or breasts.

Another option is seated chair massage. Chair massage usually lasts 10 to 15 minutes, and focuses only on your shoulders and neck. A chair massage can help if you want to keep your clothes on, and want relief from tense muscles.

Depending on your needs, sessions may last from 30 to 90 minutes. Many people close their eyes and relax during the massage. Tell the therapist if you want more or less pressure, another blanket, or if you are not comfortable.

How do I find a therapist?

Most states require massage therapists to be licensed. Massage therapists may work with healthcare providers, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists. Ask questions and get referrals from people you know and trust. You could check with:

• Your healthcare provider
• Your health insurance company
• Your employee assistance program (EAP) at work
• Local mental health or human service agencies

For more information, contact:

• American Massage Therapy Association
  1-877-905-0577
  https://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/index.html