Massageis
the working of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and
connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance
function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation
and well-being.The word comes from the
French massage"friction
of kneading", or from
Arabic massameaning
"to touch, feel or handle" or from
Latin massameaning
"mass, dough".
Massage involves working and acting on the body with
pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving –
tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with
mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles,
tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints or other connective
tissue. Massage can be applied with the hands,
fingers, elbows, knees, forearms and feet. There are over
eighty different recognized massage modalities.The most cited reasons for introducing
massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived
clinical effectiveness.
In professional settings massage involves the client being
treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage
chair or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage subject
may be fully or partly dressed. Parts of the body may be
covered with towelsor
sheets. Those who practice massage as a career are referred
to as massage therapists.
Most states in
the US have licensing
requirements for massage
therapists. The pay range and
demand is dramatically rising
each year. If you are
interested in a relaxing and
growing field and want to work
with and help people, massage
therapy is a great choice for
you.
Massage
therapy uses touch in order to
manipulate the soft body tissues
to increase the health and
well-being of each patient.
Massage Therapists:
Provide clients with
rehabilitative exercises
Confer with clients about
medical histories
Develop client treatment
plans
Preparing clients for tests,
therapy or treatments
Maintaining treatment
records
Preparing and blending
massage oils
Massage therapists need to be
able to assess clients' soft
tissue conditions, joint
quality, muscle strength and
their range of motion. They
must consult with other health
care professionals like
physiotherapists, chiropractors,
physicians and psychologists so
they will be able to develop
effective treatment plans for
their clients.
