08/09/2026
Massage Therapy...
What is it?
Massage therapy is a technique in which muscles & other soft tissues are pressed, rubbed & otherwise manipulated. There are several forms of Massage. Swedish Massage, for example is a gentle form of muscular manipulation that's used primarily for relaxation & stress relief. Clinical massage therapy (which includes dozens of approaches) treats specific health problems.
How does it work?
Pain causes the nervous system stimulating muscles to contract. The contractions cause more pain, which results in more contractions. Unless the pain-contraaction cycle is interrupted, it's hard to find relief.
Massage is a way of breaking this cycle. It "persuades" muscles to relax & lengthen. It brings pain-relieving oxygen & blood to the muscles & may remove irritating waste materials.
In addition, just being touched has a deeply relaxing & therapeutic effect on the body, although the mechanisms of this effect are not fully understood.
What can it do for you?
Massage therapy is effective for any type of pain in the body's soft tissues. This includes back, neck & shoulder pain; headaches, which are often caused by tense muscles in the face & scalp or tightness & trigger points in the neckmuscles; bursitis & tendinitis; repetitive strain injury; & sport injuries such as shinsplints.
It's best if your therapist has experience in treating the kinds of health problems you're dealing with. Be cautious about therapists who guarantee results; it's unrealistic, & it may be a sign they aren't entirely trustworthy.
When looking at advertising for massage therapists, look for phrases such as deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, trigger point therapy & myotherapy. These are all types of clinical therapeutic massage that have been proven to be effective in relieving pain.
Is it safe?
Since massage therapy involves manipulating parts of the body, there's always the possibility that it will make things worse. If you have any type of pain, it's important tonser a medical doctor before turning to massage.
Also, massage should never be done on areas where there is extensive bruising or other kinds of tissue damage. If you're pregnant, have circulatory problems, or any unusual condition, get clearance from your physician before starting massage therapy. Always let your massage therapist know about your condition; most are trained to work conservatively in such situations.