Massage Therapy
Overview
There are many reasons why people get massages There are some who get a massage regularly as a means of relaxation. There some who get a massage as a way to help treat an injury or a medical condition. There are a few types of massage and each one will do something different to your body.
Massage therapy is performed by a licensed and trained professional (massage therapist) that uses techniques involving their hands, fingers, elbows, knees, or forearms to manipulate the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia) for therapeutic purposes.
Skeletal muscles allow your body to move, play a role in breathing mechanics, protect organs and aide in maintaining posture and balance.
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Go to sourceWhen muscles are damaged through trauma (small or large), the body lays scar tissue down in a haphazard pattern which can make it harder to move in certain ways. When this occurs, there is decreased circulation, increased tightness or pain.
Massage therapy has been around for over a thousand years. There are references to massage in old writings from China, Japan, India, Arabic nations, Egypt, Greece and Rome.
Thanks to two physicians from New York, George and Charles Taylor, who were studying massage therapy in Sweden, massage was introduced to the United States in the 1850s and is now a common practice throughout the states.
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Go to sourceWhy is massage done?
When skeletal muscles have adhesions and the surrounding soft tissues are non-pliable, it becomes harder to move, there is pain, tightness, a decrease in strength, and can cause irritability and stress to the patient.
Massage therapy is great for:
Decreasing pain and muscle tension
Improving circulation
Improving flexibility and range of motion
Improve muscle performance/strength
Treating a variety of injuries
Reducing stress
Relaxation
Massage Therapy In Scottsdale
Risks and Complications of massage therapy
Risks associated with massages are typically very low but there are some:
Common. (Usually resolve within 72 hours)
Muscular soreness (like after a workout)
Bruising (mostly mild)
Aggravation of existing injuries
Rare
muscle/ligament injuries
nerve/neurological injuries
vascular injuries
How you prepare for a massage
There is no special preparation needed before your massage, but staying hydrated can improve outcomes of your session, and while showering before is not necessary, it is appreciated. Keep your appointment, let us know if there are any changes. There is a $30 re-scheduling fee if we are not given 24-hour notice.
First time clients should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time to fill out a short intake form to indicate any conditions the massage therapist should be aware of.
What you can expect before massage
The therapist will step out of the room and allow clients to undress to their level of comfort (i.e., fully disrobed, fully clothed or partially clothed), and lay underneath a top sheet/blanket on a massage table.
How it’s done/specific kinds of Massage
During the massage therapy session, clients are always covered with sheets using proper draping techniques. Therapists will only uncover areas they are working on. Private areas will never be exposed.
There are a variety of techniques used by massage therapists. Our massage therapists use the following techniques:
Swedish Massage.
During a Swedish massage, the therapist will use sliding or gliding strokes, kneading, tapping, rhythmic tapping, cross friction or vibration/shaking while rubbing the body. The therapist works using strokes that follow the blood returning to the heart.
Studies show Swedish massage can reduce chronic pain, fatigue,
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Complementary Therapies in Medicine
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Spinal Cord
Peer-reviewed journal
Internationally recognized journal
Multi-disciplinary journal
Go to sourcePrenatal/Pregnancy Massage.
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Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Internationally recognized journal
Go to sourceResearch shows women can reap the benefits of pregnancy massage at any time (1st, 2nd, or 3rd trimesters), improve labor outcomes and their newborn’s health.
Medical/Clinical Deep tissue Massage.
While there is no true “Medical massage,” “Clinical massage” or “Deep tissue massage” specific technique, it can better be described as a collection of modalities
- Myofascial release is a technique that works on releasing adhered fascia and muscles. Myofascial release involves shearing compression/tension in the motion of the tissue, cross fiber friction or skin rolling[15]with the goal of eliminating pain, promoting strength, increasing range of motion and balancing muscular/postural tensions.
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Go to source - Trigger point massage focuses on deactivating trigger points that cause local and referred pain. In trigger point massage, the massage therapist applies direct pressure to the point of pain and is sustained until there is a release in the tissue.[16]
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Go to source - Sports massage is a comprehensive type of massage that aims to improve recovery time, enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. More attention is placed on stimulating the flow of blood and lymph to sport specific muscles and massage therapists use direct point pressure, cross fiber friction, compression, and percussion. Dependent upon the goal, sports massage can be done before activity in order to elevate athletic performance, boost endurance, or prevent injury by increasing flexibility/elasticity, or after physical activity to promote more rapid tissue recovery, reduce pain, and minimize muscle fatigue. Overall, sports massage is great at keeping the body at optimal condition.
Deep tissue massage has multiple benefits. There have been studies that have shown that when a person gets a deep tissue massage for 45 minutes or more can actually cause their blood pressure to decrease. A deep tissue massage can also relieve stress. During the massage, stress hormones are reduced and the heart rate increases. This triggers the release of serotonin and oxytocin, which promotes a deep relaxation.
The massage therapist may ask a few questions during the session about pressure and how comfortable the client is; however, clients may talk as much or little as they desire. Once the massage therapist has ended the session, the therapist will leave the room and allow the client to get dressed.
After a Massage
Clients that enjoyed their experience, are welcome to reschedule with the same therapist and/or tip their therapist (standard hospitality rate is 20%). Envelopes for each therapist are available at the front desk for cash tips and credit card tips are added onto the therapist’s paycheck.
After your Massage, you may experience some minor side effects such as minor soreness. These symptoms are normal and usually last 48-72 hours.
There are typically no restrictions after massages. You will be able to resume normal activities or go back to work after receiving a massage.
Does massage work?
Research suggests that massage is great at treating sports injuries, muscle aches and pains, headaches and depression/anxiety.
In order to back up the information in our articles, Arizona Chiropractic & Holistic Health Center exclusively cites high-quality sources such as peer-reviewed research. We strive to provide accurate, dependable, and trustworthy content based on the best evidence avaliable.
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- Iorio S, Gazzaniga V, Marinozz i S (30 August 2018). "Healing bodies: the ancient origins of massages and Roman practices". Medicina Historica. 2(2): 58–62.
- Nctmb, F. S. B. M., & Lmt, F. L. (2020). Mosby’s Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage (7th ed.). Mosby. p18. ISBN-13 978-0323661836
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- Sritoomma, N., Moyle, W., Cooke, M., & O’Dwyer, S. (2014). The effectiveness of Swedish massage with aromatic ginger oil in treating chronic low back pain in older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 22(1), 26–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2013.11.002
- Lovas, J., Tran, Y., Middleton, J., Bartrop, R., Moore, N., & Craig, A. (2016). Managing pain and fatigue in people with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial feasibility study examining the efficacy of massage therapy. Spinal Cord, 55(2), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2016.156
- Perlman, A., Ali, A., Njike, V., Hom, D., Davidi, A., Gould-Fogerite, S., Milak, C., & Katz, D. (2012). OA09.01. Massage therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized dose-finding trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12(S1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-s1-o33
- Field, T., Hemandez-Reif, M., Hart, S., Theakston, H., Schanberg, S., & Kuhn, C. (1999). Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 20(1), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.3109/01674829909075574
- Howell, J. (2002). Prenatal health through massage therapy: for women and their babies: Julie Howell, N.M.T., P.M.T., details the benefits and debunks the myths of massage for the expecting. - Free Online Library. The Free Library. https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Prenatal+health+through+massage+therapy%3A+for+women+and+their+babies%3A...-a098250301
- "Medical Massage Controversy". Massage-career-guides.com. 6 February 2013. Archived from the originalon 1 November 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- "Introduction, With a Response to AMMA". Massage Today. Retrieved 25 August2020.
- Digiovanna, E. L., Amen, C. J., & Burns, D. K. (2020). Chapter 12: Myofascial release. An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.80–82. ISBN-13 978-1975171575
- Mense, S., & Gerwin, R. D. (2010). Chapter: Myofascial Pain Caused by Trigger Points. Muscle Pain: Diagnosis and Treatment. Springer Publishing. pp.205–288. ISBN-13 9783642054686
- Brummitt, Jason (February 2008). "The Role of Massage in Sports Performance and Rehabilitation: Current Evidence and Future Direction". North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 3(1): 7–21. ISSN 1558-6162. PMC 2953308. PMID 21509135.
- Dineen, C. W. (2019, August 2). Here’s Exactly How Much to Tip for a Massage (or Other Spa Treatment). Real Simple. https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/work-life-etiquette/how-much-to-tip-for-massage