Therapeutic Massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues and muscles for therapeutic benefit.  It increases blood flow through the capillaries, veins, and arteries, thereby also increasing blood flow through the muscles.  It has a sedative effect upon the nervous system and promotes voluntary muscle relaxation.

Muscle tension created by normal activity, awkward movement or stress can cause fatigue and pain by compressing nerve fibers in the muscle.  If the muscles remain contracted for long periods of time, it can interfere with the normal elimination of chemical wastes in the muscles and surrounding tissues.  The build-up of these wastes may cause nerve and muscle pain.  The release of these wastes in conjunction with relaxation of the muscles may lead to increased energy.

Massage has become the most frequently used therapy for musculoskeletal problems and is particularly useful for controlling pain, according to the Quebec Task Force on Spinal Disorders.

More and more scientific evidence, particularly within the last decade, supports the claim that massage therapy is beneficial to the body as a whole, as well as for specific conditions.  Massage may benefit such conditions as muscle spasm, pain, spinal curvature, soreness from injury or stress, headaches, whiplash, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), bronchial asthma, emphysema, and edema.  Massage also helps move metabolic waste and mucus through the body to promote rapid recovery from illness and disease.  It may help reduce swelling, correct posture, and improve motion.  It may be used in conjunction with other treatments for cardiovascular, neurological, and gynecological problems.  After injury or surgery, massage may prevent adhesions, break up scar tissue and lessen fibrosis.

This website last updated on 31 July 2010

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