What is massage therapy?

If you’re stressed and sore, you may think there’s nothing you can do but take some over-the-counter pain relievers and plow through your day. But licensed massage therapist, Victoria Bodner, says you don’t have to grin and bear it.

Massage is a great tool for relaxation, pain relief, easing muscle tension and more, says Bodner. Learn more about the common types of massage and their benefits.

In massage therapy, a trained, certified medical professional (massage therapist) manipulates the soft tissues of your body — muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin. The massage therapist uses varying degrees of pressure and movement.

Massage is generally considered part of integrative medicine. Medical centers are offering it more and more as a treatment along with standard treatment. It may be used for a wide range of medical conditions.

Studies of massage benefits have found massage can:

• Help reduce stress
• Lessen pain and muscle tension
• Increase relaxation
• Improve immune function

What is massage therapy?

Massage therapy is performed by a licensed massage therapist, massage therapy involves using different pressures, movements and techniques to manipulate muscles and other soft tissues in the body. With a goal of slowing down your nervous system, massage therapy can be used to release stress and tension, provide relief from symptoms, heal injuries and support wellness.

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with every day occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions.

Massage therapy should only be provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). An RMT is a primary healthcare provider in Ontario and anyone may visit an RMT of their choice.

Massage therapy can be used as a treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.

The services of an RMT are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP); however, many extended health benefit plans will cover all or part of the services provided by an RMT. A referral or prescription is not required to visit an RMT, although some insurance companies may require this. Massage therapy treatments may also be reimbursed by automobile insurance companies, if the client was in a motor vehicle accident, or in the case of workplace injuries, by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

How does massage therapy work

A massage therapist will typically ask you to lie down on a massage table. Lying down allows the massage therapist to work more easily on your back. Once you’re laid down, the massage therapist will begin to rub and manipulate your soft tissues.

Through this kind of touch, your body will trigger relaxation and mechanical responses. The relaxation response relaxes your body’s muscles and decreases the production of stress hormones. While the mechanical responses increase your blood circulation and reduce the tension in muscles. This helps reduce inflammation and pain.

What to expect at your first appointment

On the first visit you will complete a confidential health history as part of your assessment. Your massage therapist will assess your individual needs as well as other factors that may be contributing to your injury or condition. The RMT will develop a treatment plan with you to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. The treatment plan can be changed at any time and will be reassessed at an appropriate time. You have no obligation to undergo any part of a treatment. Your treatment will begin once you have given your informed consent. This involves setting realistic goals for treatment, discussing possible responses to treatment, and being informed of alternative care options.

Health benefits of massage

Massage therapy may be beneficial for anyone but has been noted to help those who various conditions like cancer, heart disease, stomach problems and fibromyalgia. You should make sure you talk to your therapist about any medical issues prior to your first session. Here are some of the benefits of massage therapy.

Reduces stress and anxiety

That feeling of calm after a massage can aid in reducing stress and anxiety, a study found. Your body has two nervous systems: a sympathetic nervous system that drives your “fight or flight” response in stressful situations and a parasympathetic nervous system that focuses on routine and day-to-day operations that lead to relaxation and rest. A massage is thought to increase your parasympathetic response, which can decrease feelings of anxiety.

Improves sleep

Getting a massage can decrease cortisol (a stress hormone) and increase levels of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters known to stabilize your mood. Studies have shown that massage therapy is beneficial for those who have insomnia related to menopause and congestive heart failure.

Lessens pain and muscle tension

A variety of studies have looked into how massage may help lessen pain like acute back pain, neck pain, headaches and knee pain. The results show that relief may be short-term, rather than long-term and in some cases receiving a 60-minute massage multiple times per week had better results than fewer or shorter massages.

Improves immune function

Can a massage boost your immune system? A study suggests that regular massages increase your body’s level of white blood cells, which work to combat viruses.

Relieves constipation

A study shows that for those dealing with constipation after surgery, an abdominal massage may help with bowel movements.

Lessens fibromyalgia symptoms

From sleep, memory and mood, studies have shown that using massage over the course of five weeks may improve symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic illness that causes muscle and joint pain and fatigue.

Relieves cancer pain

For people undergoing cancer treatments, the physical and emotional toll is great. Many have turned to massage to help lessen cancer pain, increase relaxation and improve quality of life. There have been a variety of studies, some that say massage therapy doesn’t improve cancer pain and others that show a positive impact.

Who should try massage therapy?

Many of us can benefit from a massage — it’s a great way to improve wellness, help with pain and more. If you have a medical condition, you should check with your doctor and have a conversation with your massage therapist. For those who are pregnant, a prenatal massage can help alleviate pain and swelling.

“There are so many good reasons to see a massage therapist,” Bodner says.

Not sure what type of massage is right for you? You don’t have to zero in on the perfect massage before booking an appointment. In fact, massage therapists often mix and match techniques to address your unique concerns.

“The different types of massage aren’t exclusive from one another,” Bodner says. “A massage therapist uses a combination of techniques to help you relax, get rid of tight muscles and address other concerns.”

Types of massage therapy

Massages come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of the offerings you might find on a massage therapy menu.

Swedish massage

Feeling stressed? A Swedish massage is the classic go-to for major relaxation. Swedish massage is typically a full-body massage that uses a gentle touch. It’s a good pick for people new to massages. “It can help calm your nervous system. Swedish massage is also a good avenue for encouraging a relaxed emotional state of mind which can directly impact your muscles,” says Bodner.

Deep tissue massage

Your muscles can get tight from repeated use — even from something less active like sitting, driving or hunching over your laptop. “Deep tissue massage gets into your muscles and tendons to release that tightness,” Bodner says. It’s good for people with injuries, general muscle tightness and chronic muscle pain.

Sports massage

Sports massages are similar to deep-tissue massages, but they zero in on the muscles that take a beating when you play sports or do another repetitive physical activity. “Athletes and dancers use their bodies differently than the average person,” Bodner says. “A massage therapist with experience in sports massage can get in there to break up muscle tightness and address sports injuries.”

Trigger point massage

A knot in your neck or a tight spot in your back is known as a trigger point. “A trigger point is a tiny muscle spasm or tight spot in the tissue,” Bodner explains. In a trigger-point massage, the massage therapist uses focused and direct pressure to target those spots. This increases blood flow to the areas, helping them release. This type of massage can also be helpful for people with chronic pain.

Myofascial release

The fascia is a web of connective tissue under the skin. “It supports the muscles and allows us to move freely,” Bodner explains. When you get a myofascial release, your massage therapist will knead and stretch the muscles and fascia to work out tension and tightness. “It’s a form of deep stretching often used together with other therapeutic massage techniques,” she says. “It’s great for opening up tightness in your neck, shoulders and your upper and lower back.”

Lymphatic massage

Lymphatic fluid has several important functions, including maintaining fluid levels and removing waste products from the body. Lymphatic massage uses a gentle touch to help lymphatic fluid flow more freely through the body. “Lymphatic massage is great for people with inflammation — including people with illnesses like arthritis, as well as people who have had mastectomies, which often involve removing the lymph nodes,” Bodner says.

Prenatal massage

Prenatal massages are great for helping moms-to-be relax and can help address the aches and pains of growing a baby. “Prenatal massages are wonderful for taking pressure off the hips and can help with swelling in the feet and legs,” Bodner says. “And when mom is relaxed and feeling well, the baby benefits, too.”

Massage for treatment of some disorders

Research indicates that massage and myotherapy are effective in managing:

• subacute/chronic low back pain
• delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
• anxiety
• stress
• soft tissue injuries
• high blood pressure
• insomnia.

They can also be effectively used to support people with:

• a chronic disease
• a life threatening illness such as cancer.

Massage – special considerations

There are some instances where massage and myotherapy may not be recommended, or a GP or specialist referral should be obtained, including (but not limited to):

• during pregnancy
• if skin rashes, cuts or infections are present
• if fractures or broken bones are suspected
• if the person has a life threatening illness.

With appropriate precautions, massage therapy can be part of supportive care for cancer patients who would like to try it; however, the evidence that it can relieve pain and anxiety is not strong.

• Massage therapy, with or without aromatherapy (the use of essential oils) has been used to attempt to relieve pain, anxiety, and other symptoms in people with cancer. A 2016 evaluation of 19 studies (more than 1,200 participants) of massage for cancer patients found some evidence that massage might help with pain and anxiety, but the quality of the evidence was very low (because most studies were small and some may have been biased), and findings were not consistent.
• Clinical practice guidelines (guidance for health care providers) for the care of breast cancer patients include massage as one of several approaches that may be helpful for stress reduction, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and quality of life. Clinical practice guidelines for the care of lung cancer patients suggest that massage therapy could be added as part of supportive care in patients whose anxiety or pain is not adequately controlled by usual care.
• Massage therapists may need to modify their usual techniques when working with cancer patients; for example, they may have to use less pressure than usual in areas that are sensitive because of cancer or cancer treatments.

Can massage be helpful for fibromyalgia symptoms?

Massage therapy may be helpful for some fibromyalgia symptoms if it’s continued for long enough.

• A 2014 evaluation of 9 studies (404 total participants) concluded that massage therapy, if continued for at least 5 weeks, improved pain, anxiety, and depression in people with fibromyalgia but did not have an effect on sleep disturbance.
• A 2015 evaluation of 10 studies (478 total participants) compared the effects of different kinds of massage therapy and found that most styles of massage had beneficial effects on quality of life in people with fibromyalgia. Swedish massage may be an exception; 2 studies of this type of massage (56 total participants) did not show benefits.

Can massage therapy be helpful for people with HIV/AIDS?

There’s some evidence that massage therapy may have benefits for anxiety, depression, and quality of life in people with HIV/AIDS, but the amount of research and number of people studied are small.

• Massage therapy may help improve the quality of life for people with HIV or AIDS, a 2010 review of 4 studies with a total of 178 participants concluded.
• More recently, a 2013 study of 54 people indicated that massage may be helpful for depression in people with HIV, and a 2017 study of 29 people with HIV suggested that massage may be helpful for anxiety.

massage body

Does massage help baby growth?

There’s evidence that premature babies who are massaged may have improved weight gain. No benefits of massage for normal full-term infants have been clearly demonstrated.

• A 2017 research review analyzed the results of 34 studies of massage therapy for premature infants. Twenty of the studies (1,250 total infants) evaluated the effect of massage on weight gain, with most showing an improvement. The mechanism by which massage therapy might increase weight gain is not well understood. Some studies suggested other possible benefits of massage but because the amount of evidence is small, no conclusions can be reached about effects other than weight gain.
• A 2013 review of 34 studies of healthy full-term infants didn’t find clear evidence of beneficial effects of massage in these low-risk infants.

What are the risks of massage therapy?

The risk of harmful effects from massage therapy appears to be low. However, there have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a blood clot, nerve injury, or bone fracture. Some of the reported cases have involved vigorous types of massage, such as deep tissue massage, or patients who might be at increased risk of injury, such as elderly people.

What are the requirements to become a massage therapist?

In states that regulate massage therapy (45 states and the District of Columbia), therapists must get a license or certification before practicing massage. State regulations typically require graduation from an approved program and passing an examination.

Some massage therapists obtain certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork. To do this, they must meet specific educational requirements, undergo a background check, and pass an examination.

NCCIH-Funded Research

NCCIH-sponsored studies have investigated various aspects of massage therapy, including

• Whether massage therapy can be helpful in preventing and treating repetitive motion disorders
• If massage can be helpful as a component of a nondrug approach to pain management in veterans
• If massage therapy can target sensory pathways that can help people with ankle sprains avoid chronic ankle instability (which can affect as many as 40 percent of people who experience this type of injury).

What are the risks of massage therapy?

Massage is not a replacement for assessment and care by a doctor. It is also important to let your doctor know if you are trying massage to reduce the symptoms of a health issue. Your doctor can help you determine which type of massage may be helpful.

You should sometimes avoid massage. Massage might not be right for you if you have:

• blood clots
• burns
• bruises
• an infectious skin condition (such as warts or cold sores)
• osteoporosis
• nerve damage

Some massage therapists are trained to work with people receiving medical care. Your doctor may have a list of therapists they recommend.

What does a massage treatment involve?

Before you go for a massage, make sure you drink plenty of water and do not eat too soon before the massage. Try to give yourself plenty of time to get to the appointment so it is easier for you to relax.

The massage therapist will talk to you about your health history and any problems you are experiencing. Make sure you tell them about any conditions you have or medicines you are taking. Your therapist will discuss how they are going to treat you.

They will leave the room while you undress — keeping your underwear on — and you will lie down on the massage table. The therapist will knock before they come back in. You will be covered with a drape or towel during the massage, and music or aromatherapy may be used to help you relax.

It is important to tell the therapist if you feel uncomfortable at any time during the massage. A professional massage therapist will never expose your breasts, genitals or other areas you ask to keep covered.

Cost of massage therapy

Medicare does not cover the cost of massage therapy. However, if you have private health insurance, you may receive up to a 30% rebate on some treatments such as physiotherapy and massage therapy. Ask your health fund what is included in your ‘Extras’ cover.

The Australian Government no longer allows some natural therapies to receive a rebate by private health insurance. These include reflexology and shiatsu.

The takeaway

Massage may be a way for you to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Experiment with different types of massage and with different massage therapists to find the type and provider that’s best for you.

Always communicate your expectations and intentions with your massage therapist, and speak up if you’re uncomfortable. Talk with your doctor before getting any type of massage if you have any health concerns or conditions.

Who should try massage therapy?

Many of us can benefit from a massage — it’s a great way to improve wellness, help with pain and more. If you have a medical condition, you should check with your doctor and have a conversation with your massage therapist. For those who are pregnant, a prenatal massage can help alleviate pain and swelling.

“There are so many good reasons to see a massage therapist,” .

Not sure what type of massage is right for you? You don’t have to zero in on the perfect massage before booking an appointment. In fact, massage therapists often mix and match techniques to address your unique concerns.

“The different types of massage aren’t exclusive from one another A massage therapist uses a combination of techniques to help you relax, get rid of tight muscles and address other concerns.”

What are the risks of massage therapy?

Massage is not a replacement for assessment and care by a doctor. It is also important to let your doctor know if you are trying massage to reduce the symptoms of a health issue. Your doctor can help you determine which type of massage may be helpful.

You should sometimes avoid massage. Massage might not be right for you if you have:

• blood clots
• burns
• bruises
• an infectious skin condition (such as warts or cold sores)
• osteoporosis
• nerve damage

Some massage therapists are trained to work with people receiving medical care. Your doctor may have a list of therapists they recommend.

 

What does massage therapy do?

In massage therapy, a trained, certified medical professional (massage therapist) manipulates the soft tissues of your body — muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin. The massage therapist uses varying degrees of pressure and movement. Massage is generally considered part of integrative medicine.

What are the risks of massage therapy?

Risks of massage Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication. Burns or healing wounds. Deep vein thrombosis. Infections. Broken bones (fractures) Severe osteoporosis. A very low platelet count (severe thrombocytopenia)