All About Massage

Have you been wondering all about massage?

What is massage?

Massage is a very broad term and it has a very long history of use. Wikipedia defines massage as:

Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough", cf. Greek verb "to handle, touch, to work with the hands, to knead dough".] In distinction the ancient Greek word for massage was anatripsis, and the Latin was frictio.

The Benefits of Massage(See more on the benefits of massage)

There are many lists of the benefits of massage. Massage can help heal by increasing circulation to an area. It can help relieve tension and relive pain.

Massage can help these conditions:

• Autism

• ADD, ADHD

• Massage for Back Pain - spasms, herniated discs, pulled muscles, trauma, sciatica

• Neck Pain - spasms, whiplash, "crick in the neck", herniated discs

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome - numbness and pain in arms and hands caused by compression in the shoulder area of nerves due to tight muscles

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - weak or pain in hands, wrists and forerms usually due to repetitive motions such as computer work.

• Rotator Cuff Injuries (Shoulder injuries)

• Headaches - tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches

• Fibromyalgia - helps with pain and stress and assists in the healing process

• Foot Pain or Plantar Fasciaitis

• Knee Pain

• Iliotibial band pain

• Massage for Cancer - helps with the stress and pain of the healing process

• Hip Pain

• Arthritis - Helps to relieve the pressure on the joints to keep them moving and can help prevent arthritis

• Jaw Pain/Temporal Mandibular Joint Dysfunction

• Digestive disorders

• Pelvic Floor disorders

• Pregnancy Massage to help relieve some of the side effects of being pregnant and relieve pregnancy related conditions such as back pain and sciatica.

• Infant Massage - helps with growth of premature babies and in parent/child bonding

• Depression and anxiety

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorders

• Massage for Sleep Disorders

• Recovery from Surgeries such as herniated discs, knee surgery, neck surgery or surgery to repair injuries

• Stress - reduces blood pressure, relieves tension, reduces stress that can affect the immune system as well as mental, emotional and spiritual health

• Relieves Knots or Triggerpoints which cause pain

• Attachment disorders in infants, children and adults

• Massage for Dementia

Learn more about becoming a massage therapist and working with people with these various conditions.

Find a Massage School

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