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Massage Therapy and Bodywork
What is Massage Therapy and Bodywork?
Massage therapy is a distinctive healing form in which the therapist manipulates
the soft tissue of the body by manual techniques and joint mobilization.
Adjunctive therapies can also be use such as hydrotherapy and liniments.
Bodywork is combination and use of acupressure, energy work, Cranial Sacral
Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, reflexology, and etc.
Many Benefits and Uses of Massage Therapy
One of the most important benefits of massage is the power of touch. The
human body needs this transmission of love and compassion that massage
therapy can give. It helps keep the body and mind in harmony.
Enhances General Health
 Improves
circulation of blood and lymph
Relaxes
muscles and improves joint mobility
Encourages
general relaxation
Improves
immune system functioning
General
muscular tension and aches
Tension
headaches
Muscular
back pain
Poor
circulation
Stress and
anxiety
Relieves
tired and sore muscles
Helps
improve flexibility
Speeds
recovery from strenuous physical exertion
Improves
blood and lymph circulation
Promotes
healthy vibrant skin
Improves
immune system functioning.
Triggers
the Relaxation response.
Restores a
calm mind and feeling of well-being
Endorphins (natural analgesics)
Massage can have its best effects by stimulating the endorphins production to
reduce pain when medication for pain has become ineffective due to its overuse.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a form of health maintenance which uses the fingers and thumbs
to press over specifics points along the pathways of energy of the body with
the attempt to regulate the level of energy that circulates through the body.
Two basics techniques are use: Tonify and sedate
Foot Reflexology
Foot reflexology is a branch of bodywork therapies in which pressure or
massage is used on specific points located on the bottom and on top of the
feet, with the attempt to regulate the level of energy of the body related to
specific organs.
A simple self-care technique using a tennis ball to work with the reflexology
points located on the bottom of the feet can be a included into your health
maintenance program.
What is Massage Therapy and Bodywork?
Massage therapy is a distinctive healing form in which the therapist
manipulates the soft tissue of the body by manual techniques and joint
mobilization. Adjunctive therapies can also be use such as hydrotherapy and
liniments.
Bodywork is combination and use of acupressure, energy work, Cranial Sacral
Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, reflexology, and etc.
Becoming a Massage Therapist?
The student needs to be a high school
graduated prior to enroll in a massage therapy program, and complete a
minimum of 500 clock hours of studies which may include anatomy, physiology,
clinical pathology, clinical kinesiology, massotherapy sciences, business
administration, and etc.
You can find massage therapists working in health spas, chiropractic offices,
hospitals, medical clinics, and massage clinics.
Laws and Regulations
Today massage therapy is regulated in 26 states and in the District of
Columbia. Many other states have already passed laws regulating massage
therapy that is not yet in affect.
Is expected that in few years the profession of massage therapy will be
regulated in all 50 states.
Many associations exist today in the area of massage therapy. They offer
membership, liability insurance, workshops, health plans, and more.
Two main associations are know today. The American Massage Therapy
Association (AMTA) and American Bodywork Massage Professionals. (ABMP)
The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
represents the profession nationally and is recognized by many states.
In order for a massage therapist to sit for the national board test, he/she
needs to be graduated from a accredited school or college of massage therapy
with the minimum of 500 clock hours of certification in the field of massage
therapy.
It is also require the that a board certified therapist complete a minimum
hours of continuing education every three years in order to keep the national
certification status.
General Procedures
A massage therapist may perform a simple assessment through a questionnaire
and physical observation. This helps the therapist to elaborate a better
treatment plan.
The treatment is determined based on the patients needs, which can be done
over the clotting or with direct contact to the skin in which the patient lay
on the therapeutic table under a sheet.
Whenever a patient is referred by a physician, a reevaluation of the
condition is done after a number of treatment, and a short report is sent to
the physician stating the procedures used and the patients response to the
treatment.
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