Massage Therapy Eliminates Back Pain by Maureen Miranda

As medicine becomes more advanced, some ancient forms of healing continue to stay with us. Massage therapy is a well proven technique to eliminate back pain.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a term used to reference bodywork techniques that heal and relax. The earliest recorded massage therapy session was 3,000 years ago in China. Due to the great benefits of massage therapy, it is still used in pretty much its original form today. Massage therapy is no longer laughed at by skeptics as advances in modern medicine have allowed detailed x-rays of the soft tissue before and after a patient goes through massage therapy.

Massage, in its most general sense, refers to rubbing and manipulation of the body. It may be performed on target areas of the body, or a session may include the whole body.

The basic techniques employed in massage therapy include:

?"'? Rubbing of muscles, soft tissues, and joints
?"'? Manipulation of joints, muscles, and soft tissues
?"'? Touch therapies, re-patterning, and movement of body structures
?"'? Stroking
?"'? Kneading
?"'? Tapping/light thumping
?"'? Compression
?"'? Vibration
?"'? Applying pressure

These techniques are combined in different ways thereby making up more than 250 different types of massage therapy. These therapies are known by many different names, including Swedish massage, bodywork, touch therapy, reflexology, sports massage, somatic therapy, acupressure, and neuromuscular massage. Some massage therapists will specialize in one specific type, or modality, of massage; others are capable of performing a range of massage therapies. Each massage therapist will tailor therapy sessions toward the specific needs and goals of a client to achieve the optimal result.

Most techniques involve use of the hands, but some involve the use of the massage therapist's feet, arms, or elbows. If you want just hand techniques to be used, tell your massage therapist.

Delivery of technique also relies on individual client factors, including:

?"'? Goals for massage therapy
?"'? Advice of primary care physician
?"'? Presence of injury
?"'? Medical conditions
?"'? Physical/therapeutic needs
?"'? Pain and pressure tolerance
?"'? Aversion to areas of touch
?"'? Success of past massage therapy techniques
?"'? Target body areas
?"'? Target health benefits


Massage therapy techniques are focused primarily on the muscles, joints, and soft-tissues of the body; applying the various techniques to these areas has peripheral benefits for many other body systems, though?"'"??the circulatory and lymphatic systems in particular.

The information provided to the massage therapist prior to the first session is what he or she will use to determine the best massage therapy techniques for you. This information is collected in the massage therapy intake form, and also through conversation with the therapist. Being open and communicative with your massage therapist on an ongoing basis will help him or her design and adjust your massage therapy sessions to optimize the results. Communication is equally important as therapy progresses so that results can be maximized and past progress can be maintained.

Massage therapists will use a number of products to enhance the benefits of the massage session. Some of these products include lotions, oils, and creams. The best tool; however, is that of the massage therapists skilled hands and knowledge of back muscles.

Massage therapy has proven health benefits ranging from circulatory dysfunctions to sports injuries. As medical professionals and individuals have increasingly come to realize that pharmaceuticals are not the only option for treating ailments and injuries, the demand for skilled massage therapists has grown dramatically. Today, massage therapy is recognized as a way of reducing back pain and healing without harmful drugs.

Maureen Miranda specializes in back pain. When are you going to get tired enough of your back pain to do something about it? For hundreds of free articles on back pain relief, go to No More Chronic Back Pain.com

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