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IS MASSAGE THERAPY PART OF YOUR WELLNESS PROGRAM?
Things you should know
Massage therapy, after medication, is the number one treatment for reducing pain. It is a proven and effective means of preventative healthcare and for managing stress, which is a major risk factor for diseases and causes of death such as heart attacks.
Massage Therapists are required to be licensed in the state of Florida . This means that not only have they received over 500 hours of training in anatomy, physiology, and basic massage modalities and hydrotherapy, but in the Florida statues, and laws and rules of the state. They have also received education concerning medical errors and HIV/Aids. To keep their license, they are required to pursue at least 24 hours of continuing education every two (2) years.
There are many different types of massage. Make sure that you go to the therapist who can prove the proper massage for you. The most common massage for relaxation is Swedish massage. You might also find that chair massage, where you are seated and fully clothed, is a great way to relieve stress, especially for an office environment.
You should always make sure that you have a qualified therapist. Ask to see their massage license. If they cannot show it to you or do not have one, leave and report them to the Department of Health. Practicing massage without a license is illegal in the state of Florida and should be reported at once.
Ask your therapist if they are a member of a professional association such as the Florida State Massage Therapy Association. Members of the FSMTA are required to follow the Association's code of ethics and hold themselves and their work to a high standard.
The Top 10 Health Benefits of Massage Therapy
• relieve stress and tension
• lower the heart rate and blood pressure
• promote healing
• protect against disease by raising serotonin
• increase endorphins to help stop pain
• strengthen the immune system
• increase flexibility
• relieve headaches (including tension, sinus, and migraine headaches)
• Alleviate the pain caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, bronchitis, and arthritis
• Feeling Great!
What to expect from your massage?
• You will be asked questions about your health and any problems you may have. This is done to make sure that you receive the proper care during the massage.
• You may be asked to remove your clothing for a body massage. If this is the case, you will be given a drape to cover yourself with. If you are uncomfortable with removing your clothing, please wear items that you will be comfortable in throughout the massage.
• Expect your therapist to be licensed. If their license is not posted in a visible location, ask to see it. Massage Therapists are required to be licensed by the state of Florida , Department of Health. Licenses for Massage Therapists will begin with MA and followed by 5 numbers (for example MA12345).
• If you are at a spa or health club, they are required to have the establishment licensed by the Department of Health. This means that they have been inspected and carry liability insurance. Massage establishment licenses should be posted in a visible location. The license number begins with MM and is followed by five numbers (for example MM12345).
• Your therapist may play music during your massage. This is generally used to help the atmosphere of relaxation and comfort. If you are uncomfortable with the music or would prefer no music, please let your therapist know.
• Your therapist may speak during the massage. If you do not want to talk, please let your therapist know. They will not be insulted. They know that sometime silence is best to receive the full effect of your massage.
• If you tighten up or contract your muscles during the massage, know that this can be normal. You need to relax. Let your therapist know or expect them to ask you about it. They might need to adjust their stroke to help you relax.
• Remember, in some cases such as a deep tissue massage, you may feel some pain. If you think the pain is excessive, ask the therapist about it.
• Remember, it may take more than one session to receive the full benefit of a massage, especially if you are receiving massage as part of a recovery from an illness or and injury.
• Most importantly, expect to relax and enjoy
A Few Don'ts of massage:
• Do not eat right before a massage.
• Don't be afraid to talk to your therapist about your concerns or health problems. Therapists want to have the most accurate information to ensure the massage benefits you.
• Don't be late. If you arrive late, you might feel rushed or hurried and it will take you longer to relax.
• Don't get off the table or up from the chair too quickly. You might feel light headed or dizzy. Take your time.
• Don't forget to breath. Breathing helps the body to relax. You might feel anxious about a sensitive spot being massage, but that is normal. Just remember to breath.
• Don't let an uncomfortable situation go on. If anything happens during the massage that makes you feel uncomfortable or you think is improper, ask your therapist to stop. You have the right to end the session at any point.
• Don't forget to drink water after your massage.
• Don't forget to ask questions. You have the right to know what is being done to you. Therapists are willing to explain what they are about to do, or are doing to you during the massage.
• Don't forget to try to quiet your thoughts. If your mind is racing through the day's events, you might want to concentrate on the movements of the massage and the feelings you are getting.
• Don't forget to relax and enjoy.
Therapeutic Massage
All types of massage therapy are therapeutic and massage is considered a healthcare treatment. Massage Therapists are licensed healthcare providers.
Today, Swedish/Relaxation massage is what most people identify massage therapy as being. All massage therapists were educated in Swedish massage in order to become licensed in the State of Florida. It usually involves a full body treatment and is recommended to maintain one's health.
Neuromuscular, Structural Integration, Trigger Point, Shiatsu, Myofascial Release, and CrainoSacral Therapy are some of the many types of massage therapy that massage therapist can obtain advanced training and certification in.
TO START AND MAINTAIN A WELLNESS PROGRAM, SELECT THE TYPE OF MASSAGE THERAPY TREATMENT THAT BEST FITS YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE.
Rehabilitation Massage
Rehabilitation Massage is therapy that addresses both specific and nonspecific injuries, ranging from automobile accidents to sports-related injuries.
It is advisable that you see a physician prior to receiving rehabilitation massage to rule out any medical problems the the therapist should be made aware of. In many cases, the physician will provide a prescription for the massage therapy treatment needed.
Generally, a massage therapist who provides Rehabilitation Massage has received additional training in therapies that address the muscular and neurological functions specifically.
For those who have specific pain and injury, an LMT certified and trained in additional therapies may be your best option. For injury, post-surgical cases, whiplash, sprains, strains, and many other ailments.
Massage Modalities
Massage is defined as the manipulation of soft tissue. This can be done by hands, feet or use of tools such as stones. Massage Therapy is licensed in the state of Florida by the Department of Health.
Aromatherapy Massage – a full body massage combined with a custom blend of essential oils created from the pure essences of plants to create harmony, heal, and balance all aspects of a person from mental to physical to emotional to spiritual.
Chair Massage – a massage given with the recipient seated in a special massage chair. The recipient remains clothed. This type of massage often lasts between 10 and 30 minutes and is designed to help the recipient relax and improve their circulation.
Cranio-Sacral – a light touch manipulation technique of the head and the bottom of the spine which treats cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages. It is usefully for treating sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction including headaches, whiplash, back pain, jaw problems, and problems of the eyes and ears.
Deep Tissue – Also called deep muscle therapy. It is work that involves slow strokes and deep pressure. It focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissues. Rolfing is a type of deep tissue massage.
Manual Lymph Drainage – a gentle method of creating movement into and through the lymphatic vessels. It reduces the excessive amount of fluid the body can contain.
Myofascial Release – Myo means muscle and fascia is the elastic connective tissue wrapped around the muscle and in other parts of the body. Long, stretching strokes are used to release muscle tension by locating muscle restrictions and through the use of gentle sliding pressure rebalance the body in the fascia (elastic connective tissue wrapped around muscles and other parts of the body).
Neuromuscular Therapy – see Trigger Point Therapy.
Pregnancy Massage – massage of pregnant women and of women after giving birth. It specializes in discomforts of the lower back, feet and legs.
Reiki – A light touch or no touch technique for channeling and adjusting levels of energy to promote healing.
Reflexology – Based on a theory of zones, specific spots of the body, such as the hands and feet, are pressed to stimulate corresponding areas in other parts of the body. Foot reflexology is one of the most popular.
Rolfing – A type of deep tissue massage developed by Ida Rolf. It can be a 10 session type of massage.
Shiatsu - Originating in the Orient, this is a system of finger-pressure that focuses on special points along the acupuncture meridians. The goal is to balance the energy flow. Types of shiatsu include Zen shiatsu, tsubo point therapy, Amma , shiatsu massage, and water shiatsu.
Sports Massage – This is applied to athletes to assist them in training and performing pain free and without injuries. It is generally a combination of Swedish massage, pressure-point therapy, hydrotherapy, and cryotherapy designed to meet the needs of a particular sport.
Stone Massage – Heated stones are used in the massage to encourage the exchange of blood and lymph and through soothing heat, to promote soft tissue work and relaxation. It is deeply relaxing and a great stress reliever.
Swedish Massage – The Western or classic style of massage, it is a system of long strokes and includes kneading and friction techniques to the superficial layers of the muscles and is combined with movements with the joints. Swedish Massage can be used for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation or health maintenance.
Thai Massage – A bodywork system that unblocks trapped energy and improves liveliness by applying pressure to specific places along the body. Thai massage uses slow, rhythmic pressure by the hands, forearms, elbows and feet and includes yogalike stretches.
Trigger Point Therapy – Also known as Neuromuscular Therapy, this treatment applies pressure to specific points in the muscles that are painfully irritated (called trigger points) to stop the spasms and pain, and restoring structural integrity to the muscle.
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