What is Massage Therapy?
The
practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and
joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical
dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to
develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or
relieve pain. (Massage Therapy Act, 1991)
According
to the American Medical Association, stress is one of the leading
contributing factors involved in illness and disease. Massage can be
effective in relieving stress as well as soft tissue discomfort,
muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes. Massage assists in
relaxation, having an overall tonic effect on the body and promotes a
general feeling of well-being.
Massage Therapy can also help in
rehabilitation of various injuries and can offer an effective treatment
for many conditions including:
- Headaches and migraines
- Back and neck pain (whiplash)
- Sprains, strains, muscle spasms
- Tendinitis, bursitis
- Arthritis
- TMJ dysfunction
- Tennis and golfer’s elbow
- TOS and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Stress reduction
Constipation
Massage
helps deal with these conditions, not only by specifically addressing
problem areas, but also by treating the body as a whole unit. This in
turn allows us to find the cause and work on any compensatory patterns
that may occur throughout the body, secondary to the primary cause.
