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Massage: Ancient Art Helps Modern IllsMassage is making a comeback. First mentioned around 2598 B.C. in Chinese medical literature as a therapeutic technique, massage was ignored for centuries and then viewed as a luxury reserved for professional athletes or regulars at beauty spas. However, today massage has moved beyond the realm of sports and spas, coming full circle to become a respected therapeutic technique for use in sickness and in health. Massage is a nurturing touch which can ease routine physical discomforts and stress. "In rehabilitation therapy, massage is considered an established, safe and effective therapy for relief of pain, swelling, muscle spasm and restricted movement," notes Lorraine Rao, Director of Rehabilitation at Lowell General Hospital. "Massage can also provide safe and effective preventive health therapy for people whose work requires prolonged periods of sitting or standing or repetitive movements that can strain muscles." And, newer technological advances and specialized massage techniques are now being used to help manage pain among cancer patients and others suffering from chronic pain. At the heart of massage is the intuitive, natural movement to rub a sore or injured spot. In more formal terms, massage is defined as systematic, rhythmic hand movements on the skin to achieve different effects. Technological advances have added new dimensions to massage, including ultrasound, water or hydrotherapy and other mechanical techniques often used in a clinical setting to promote healing of wounds or other damaged tissue. Also of growing interest is aromatherapy, or the use of scented oils applied to the skin with massage. Some studies suggest that various oils have a beneficial effect either as they are inhaled during the massage, or as they evaporate from the skin. In a study of aromatherapy and massage involving patients in a hospital intensive care unit, aromatherapy brought about a temporary but significant improvement in mood and perceived levels of anxiety. Of the more than 200 aromatic oils, lavender has been identified in previous studies as possibly having a sedative effect on brain-wave patterns. According to Rao, different massage techniques and movements are designed to bring about different effects. Firm pressure generally increases blood and lymph flow, improves tissue drainage and reduces swelling. Rapid strokes have the opposite effect and are more often used to increase muscle tone. Although massage is often used in the medical community, massage does not have to be applied by a medical professional. In fact, self-massage can be useful for many people, especially to reduce everyday muscle tension or fatigue. Helpful self-massage techniques include: o Lower back self massage: Place hands with thumbs forward and fingers together at the small of the back. Use a gentle but firm up/down motion to relieve tension. o Neck massage: Rest elbows on a firm surface, supporting the head with one hand and using the fingertips of the other to knead the back and side of the neck slowly and gently. Repeat on other side. The practice of massage is generally considered safe by the medical community. However, because the effects of massage may present a risk for some individuals with underlying medical conditions, you should check with your physician before trying massage for the first time. |
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