Massage therapy is an ancient and wide spread healing practice. Archaeological evidence shows that it was used thousands of years ago in places such as Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. It was used not only for pain management, but also as a training implement for the early Olympians. Even as techniques evolved, the idea remained the same: human touch could have healing powers. Today, massage is commonly categorized as “alternative medicine”. Advances in chemical medicines and growing knowledge of human anatomy and physiology have led many doctors to scoff at the idea of massage as a means of healing. Despite reluctance in the medical community to accept it as a legitimate medical technique, massage has seen a surge of popularity with the general public. Often thought of as more of a luxury than a treatment practice, spas and resorts have incorporated massage therapy into their menus of service, often employing multiple certified or licensed therapists.
Training requirements for massage therapy vary from state to state. Many states now have a regulatory board who supervises training programs and licensing duties. Some states do not require licensing-only certification of completion in a predetermined amount of classroom and practical hours. Still others have no requirements at all in place for practitioners, and anyone with the desire can call themselves a massage therapist. For a list of state requirements, see http://www.massageregister.com/StateRequirements.asp.
Despite a somewhat uneven regulatory system for practitioners, massage therapy still boasts proven benefits for those who choose to utilize it. Studies have shown that regular massage can improve flexibility, increase circulation, decrease blood pressure in hypertensive subjects, assist in draining clogged sinuses, and much more. Massage has also shown beneficial evidence in specialized populations, such as autistic children, premature babies, and surgical patients (where indicated).
There are many benefits and uses to massage, but it is also important to understand contraindications. Certain skin diseases, lesions, recent surgeries, blood diseases, broken bones and other medical conditions can actually be exacerbated by massage. An educated therapist will be knowledgeable in this area, and know to refer the client out to the proper medical practitioner if treatment has not already been sought.
It is not in the scope of practice for a massage therapist to diagnose maladies and diseases. They are not doctors, and it is against their code of ethics to act as such. A trained and observant massage therapist can, however, recognize some potential health issues, such as a suspicious mole or lesion, and recommend that the client have it checked by the proper medical professional.
Massage therapy encompasses a larger network of bodywork practices, many of which are designed for treatment of specific healthcare needs. Swedish massage is the most common and is often thought of as the “standard form” of bodywork. Some other methods which can be beneficial include, but are not limited to, lymph drainage, acupressure, Reiki, reflexology, Rolfing, sports massage and trigger point therapy. Often these lesser known modalities require specialized training outside of Swedish massage, but many can be included with it during treatment. It is important to understand the scope of a technique before setting an appointment for a session, as each has a different purpose and often, a different effect on the body.
With growing regulation of training and practitioner licensing, massage is becoming a more accepted form of treatment. Even the skeptical medical community is slowly beginning to open up to its benefits and potential. The power of massage may never be fully understood, but it has stood the test of time to become a regular part of society today.
