Massage therapy is a comprehensive intervention involving a range of techniques to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the body. The purpose of massage therapy is to prevent, develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function or relieve pain1 (Massage Therapy Act, 1991). It is a clinically-oriented health option that achieves undeniable results in the relief of an array of discomforts stemming from stress, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes.
There are a variety of techniques used in massage therapy that function for different ailments.
- Lymph drainage technique is often used to help decrease swelling occurring in that particular area of the body.
- Fascial techniques are used to help loosen the fascia under the skin layers and surrounding the muscles giving the muscles more room to relax.
- Muscular tissue work helps to decrease any tension within the muscles as well as decrease and trigger point activity within the muscles.
- There is also joint play and range of motion that can help to increase the range of a particular joint and also decrease pain.
In Canada, it is estimated that between 17-23% of the population has used massage therapy. In Ontario, 35% of the population has used massage therapy in the past two years. Several research studies have illustrated that massage therapy has become accepted as a useful addition to conventional medical treatments, and by a mixture of populations including other health care practitioners.
Conditions that may benefit from massage include:
- Whiplash
- Headaches
- Sports injuries
- Arthritic pain
- Post fracture
- Post surgery
- Work related injuries
- Overuse/repetitive strain
- Neck and back injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Respiratory conditions
- Stress/anxiety
- Etc.
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