Massage - It's real medicine

I just got a massage this evening... get one every couple of weeks or so.

Massages for me generally hurt like hell. She really works me over... with knuckles.... but afterward I feel great... very loose and relaxed.

One side benefit of a massage is deep body moisturizing... which really helps in the winter months. Since it's spring, I washed most of it off right away but in the winter, I generally sit for a bit and absorb as much as a I can.
 
I've paid for massages on occasion myself. I would NEVER go to a massage "therapist" when I actually have back pain or anything else wrong. For one reason, I'd rather enjoy the massage than feel like I've got to protect myself from further pain or injury.

DB, what exactly is "deep body moisturizing"? I can't imagine anything deeper than the epidermis getting oiled. On second thought, I can, so maybe I don't really want to ask the question I just did. :)
 
JoeTheJuggler said:
I've paid for massages on occasion myself. I would NEVER go to a massage "therapist" when I actually have back pain or anything else wrong. For one reason, I'd rather enjoy the massage than feel like I've got to protect myself from further pain or injury.

DB, what exactly is "deep body moisturizing"? I can't imagine anything deeper than the epidermis getting oiled. On second thought, I can, so maybe I don't really want to ask the question I just did. :)
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In some states "Therapeutic Massage" is in contrast to "relaxation" or etertainment massage" that has an intention somewhat different form clinical.

Unless it's a sensual experience you are looking for, you want an educated and certified Massage Therapist.
 
JoeTheJuggler said:
DB, what exactly is "deep body moisturizing"? I can't imagine anything deeper than the epidermis getting oiled. On second thought, I can, so maybe I don't really want to ask the question I just did. :)
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Perhaps "deep" is the confusion? I mean she does pretty much the whole body with -unscented- massage oil and really rubs it in.

No woo implied. ;)
 
Yes, there is a difference between relaxation massage and the kind of work that I do which is clinical/sports and remedial massage. What I do is specifically designed to help with such things as back pain and all aches and pains, which is why when I do this kind of massage I use little lubrication and use a lot of Soft Tissue Release and Myofascial Release Techniques. I include client movement in the treatment and will give exercises afterwards for the client to perform in between treatments.

I specifically work with athletes and then clients with specific muscular pain problems.
 
Are there clinical trials for massage therapy? Seems that we could compare massaged patients to controls to see if there are any measureable differences. No doubt massage sure feels good. I believe that the sympathetic nervous system has a strong role in the sensation of physical pleasure.
 
Of course the autonomic nervous system plays a part in massage and you have an affect on it in any kind of touch really - it is also affected by the more advanced sports massage kinds of techniques that I use such as MET, Myofascial release, Soft Tissue release, Neuromuscular technique, Positional release and trigger point work.

Yes, research has been done on massage and also the advanced massage techniques. Leon Chaitow has provided lots of research in this area.
 
I'm all for a good backrub (give or take).

I never knew it to cure PMS , but if a woman is face down and boneless, she's less able to actually punch you. (Words of wisdom from an old back-rub expert).
 
It can and does actually help a lot of women with painful periods and PMS symptoms.

Firstly, depending on the other reasons that they have come for treatment I would start by doing work on the lower lumbar and sacral area. I would then graduate to working directly on the belly when and if they were ok with it. The belly carries a lot of tension and is a neglected area of the body when it comes to general massage work. Helping the muscles of the belly to relax and soften and also helping the belly to relax generally can help a lot of period problems, PMS and digestive problems.

If someone also has a stooped posture, it is a good idea to work to try and open out and generally lengthen the whole of the front of the body - open out the pectoralis muscles to open out the chest and then work to lengthen the whole of the rectus abdominus muscle and this open out the whole of the belly. Also, a major hip flexor which connects the bottom of the body to the top of the body is the Psoas/Iliopsoas. It is a deep abdominal muscle and is short on a lot of people. After psoas work most people can feel the length throughout their body and stand a lot straighter.

So, having practiced physical therapy, massage and advanced massage techniques for over 20 years now, I have seen the benefits. The day I stop seeing and achieving results with my clients is the day that I stop practicing.
 
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