| The healing power of human touch is a positive | | | | gain" philosophy. The therapist uses slow, hard |
| experience that many people enjoy through | | | | strokes and deep, sustained finger pressure to |
| therapeutic massage or bodywork. The effects | | | | work deeply into the contracted muscles, fascia |
| of a good massage go much deeper than the | | | | and tendons. This technique increases flexibility, |
| skin's surface. Massage can: | | | | encourages muscles to work at their fullest |
| 1) Help improve circulation of the blood and lower | | | | capacity, and speeds up the healing process by |
| blood pressure. | | | | reducing swelling following an injury. It is especially |
| 2) Act as a detoxification system by propelling | | | | indicated for athletes and "week-end warriors" |
| toxic waste products through the lymphatic | | | | who suffer from tight or sore muscles. |
| system. | | | | Shiatsu and Acupressure: rather than being simply |
| 3) Help to improve muscle tone and prevent | | | | relaxing, this form of bodywork tends to be |
| muscular atrophy resulting from inactivity or illness. | | | | invigorating. Fingers, thumbs, fists and elbows are |
| 4) Reduce emotional stress and promote a sense | | | | used to apply pressure to points along |
| of well-being. | | | | acupuncture meridians, which are believed to be |
| How can something as simple as this hands-on | | | | the energy pathways of the body. The focus of |
| therapy have so many positive benefits? A tense | | | | this type of therapy is on relieving blocks in the |
| or painful muscle is one which is often chronically | | | | pathways and rebalancing the flow of energy. |
| contracted. In an acute situation such as recent | | | | Reflexology and Zone Therapy: reflexology works |
| injury, the muscle can be in actual spasm. This | | | | on the assumption that parts of the feet (as well |
| contraction or spasm decreases the flow of blood | | | | as parts of the ears and hands) correspond to |
| to the muscle, which leads to a decrease in the | | | | other parts of the body's anatomy. In other |
| nutrient and oxygen supply to the cells of the | | | | words, stress or illness in a certain part of the |
| muscle and related nerves. A chronically | | | | body may show up as a painful or sensitive area |
| contracted muscle will build up lactic acid, a sign of | | | | on a specific area of the foot. Reflexologists apply |
| fatigue. This oxygen shortage and lactic acid | | | | pressure to the side, top or bottom of the feet |
| buildup irritates the nerve cells, which perpetuates | | | | to help reduce dysfunction in other parts of the |
| the contracted muscles. Massage can help | | | | body. |
| remove the lactic acid and other metabolic waste | | | | Not all techniques work for everyone, so make |
| products from the cells and reverse this process, | | | | sure to inquire about the philosophy and style of |
| interrupting the vicious cycle of pain-spasm-pain. | | | | the massage therapist you call. If your massage |
| There are a multitude of massage styles which | | | | isn't as satisfying as you had hoped, don't give up. |
| are beneficial, depending upon the individual's needs | | | | Try another therapist! Massage therapy schools |
| and preferences. They include: | | | | are a cost-effective way to test out different |
| Swedish Massage: this is the basic "relaxation" | | | | styles of massage; senior students generally work |
| style of bodywork, which uses long strokes, | | | | for lower fees while they complete their |
| squeezing and kneading. The Swedish practitioner | | | | internship. |
| helps to improve circulation by working to loosen | | | | There are a few conditions in which massage |
| or relax the superficial layers of muscle. This type | | | | would not be a good option, such as marked |
| of massage is particularly useful for muscles which | | | | inflammation, fever, significant swelling or very |
| are already sore from stress or a tough workout, | | | | severe pain. But for the garden variety aches and |
| as it is often more gentle than other styles. | | | | pains that most of us experience, as well as for |
| Sports Massage: this form of massage works on | | | | the general stresses of life, massage is an |
| a deeper level of musculature or connective | | | | outstanding way to treat ourselves to a positive, |
| tissue. This style fits more with the "no pain, no | | | | revitalizing experience. |