Massage

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====Swedish massage====
 
====Swedish massage====
As devised by the Swede Per Henrik Ling, this is the most common and well-known form of massage. You'll find that this is quite relaxing, and may soothe some of your aches and pains. Improved circulation is also a benefit. This modality consists largely of variations on three strokes: ''effleurage'', ''petrissage'', and ''tapotement''. Don't be fooled into thinking this can provide anything more than temporary relief and benefits--but it can be great for things like loosening up tight shoulders when you're tense.
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As devised by the Swede Per Henrik Ling, this is the most common and well-known form of massage. Don't be fooled into thinking it can only provide temporary relief. It is a commonly used modality in the massage world for many reasons. You'll find it quite relaxing, and along with being a great way to soothe some of your aches and pains. However, Swedish does much more than that. It helps to improve circulation, using the sliding and gliding techniques such as ''effleurage'', ''petrissage'', which help move around fluid in the body which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This same technique also helps to stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away the body’s waste products. It can also be great for pregnancy, because of this. Many women see a reduciton in ankle swelling after having gentle Swedish work done on them. It can of course also help prevent and relieve muscles cramps and spasms by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to help calm muscles. Swedish massage can help with pain management in conditions like as arthritis and sciatica for the same reasons. When you try a Swedish massage remember that there are many benefits, it is more than just relaxing it can really help with many problems and it is gentle enough to be used on the elderly, the very young, and the expectant mother.
  
 
===Associated therapies===
 
===Associated therapies===

Revision as of 17:13, 20 September 2013

Against allopathy

Alternative medicine

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Alternative articles

Massage therapy is the marginally gentler sibling of chiropractic therapy. The wonderful world of sensuous masseuses and relaxing massages commonly seen on television as well as proven techniques of sports massage belies a weird, dingy and sometimes downright baffling reality full of New Agey, wooey, pseudoscientific shysters.

Contents

Types of massage

Massage is divided into a variety of "modalities", and each is rife with an unwarranted aura of self-importance. This list is broken into two sections, true massages, and therapies associated with massage. This list is non-exhaustive.

True massage

Shiatsu

This is like acupressure (though here you say ki instead of qi), but in spite of all the bullshit the session can amount to a massage that feels good. Still not worth more than 60 bucks[1].

Sports massage

One of the more effective forms of massage, it helps to prevent build up of lactic acid in muscles, helps prevent cramps, and done correctly, aids in keeping muscles and tendons flexible.

Swedish massage

As devised by the Swede Per Henrik Ling, this is the most common and well-known form of massage. Don't be fooled into thinking it can only provide temporary relief. It is a commonly used modality in the massage world for many reasons. You'll find it quite relaxing, and along with being a great way to soothe some of your aches and pains. However, Swedish does much more than that. It helps to improve circulation, using the sliding and gliding techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, which help move around fluid in the body which helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This same technique also helps to stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away the body’s waste products. It can also be great for pregnancy, because of this. Many women see a reduciton in ankle swelling after having gentle Swedish work done on them. It can of course also help prevent and relieve muscles cramps and spasms by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system to help calm muscles. Swedish massage can help with pain management in conditions like as arthritis and sciatica for the same reasons. When you try a Swedish massage remember that there are many benefits, it is more than just relaxing it can really help with many problems and it is gentle enough to be used on the elderly, the very young, and the expectant mother.

Associated therapies

Acupressure

See the main article on this topic: Acupressure

Acupressure is acupuncture without the needles. Recalibrates one's "qi," a mysterious undetectable energy which apparently violates the laws of thermodynamics[2]. It must work, because it's thousands of years old, right?

Reflexology

See the main article on this topic: Reflexology

Reflexology is the practice of diagnosing and treating illness through a person's hands and feet. Reflexologists believe that all parts of the body are connected through lines, and that by treating a corresponding line on the hands or feet they can cure a person's ills. A reflexologist might claim to be able to discern that you have a liver problem by palpating the base of your arch, and further claim to be able to heal you with more focused palpation. Hopefully their finger won't slip on the rather small space available on your foot and accidentally ram the corresponding spot for your kidneys. There is no evidence for reflexology,[3] and it amounts to nothing more than an expensive foot massage.

Reiki

See the main article on this topic: Reiki

Reiki was invented in 1922, making it a relatively recent development in the history of theraputic massage. It borrows from many of the principles of shiatsu and acupressure. Practitioners lay their hands on the client along "meridian lines" and "chakras" in order to fix imbalances with their "aura." Advanced practitioners claim the ability to apply their healing vibe to patients in other places and times. Controlled studies of reiki have shown it to be of no measurable benefit, other than lining the pockets of the practitioner.[4]

Structural bodywork and Rolfing

See the main article on this topic: Rolfing

The principle behind this therapy is the lengthening of muscle fascia by thixotropy (melting-fascia is a colloid). This is supposed to get rid of "chronic holding patterns" - basically bad posture - by allowing for more range of motion.[5] Structural bodyworkers and Rolfers believe most muscle pain is caused by these chronic holding patterns causing muscles to over-extend, over-contract, or whatever. This was devised by biologist Ida Pauline Rolf, but to date, there are no scientific studies to back it. And it hurts.

Trigger point therapy

Trigger points are permanent localized muscle contractions caused by injury or strain.[6] These are quite real, treatment for serious occurrences should be left to massage therapists or chiropractors who specialize in trigger point therapy and can be upwards of $80 to $120+ an hour for someone who is experienced. Self-treatment can be done but is also difficult if you do not know where to look for points. I.e. ankle pain or stiffness can be caused by trigger points in the lower calf.

Legal and medical issues

Unlike many other lines of alternative medicine, massage therapy is not all bad. It can do things like increase circulation, relax you, and provide pain relief. However, many massage therapists exaggerate their abilities and present their therapy as a cure-all.

Legally, massage therapists are bound by a strict code of ethics concerning claims they can make about their ability to diagnose diseases. Pathology education for massage therapists is meant to flag any contra-indications, but the limited information also given on how certain massage techniques can aid the infirm quite often raises the habit of thinking that massage alone can heal.

Also, on the matter of diagnosis, massage therapists may sometimes overstep their bounds and suggest to a client that they have a certain condition, even though their knowledge of the condition is limited to what they remember from a small entry in their pathology manual. Few therapists are taught with humility. With each class, their instructors reinforce the idea that massage is a powerful tool and that the students will be able to change lives.

Accreditation

With respect to massage therapy, like most alternative medicine, the government faces a dilemma: legitimize it by creating legal standards for it, or not recognize it at all and, e.g., let acupuncturists use dirty needles.

There are proven techniques in massage therapy which can really help people,[7] but there is also quite a bit of bullshit in the field. As an example, the National Certification Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in the United States asks questions relating to Traditional Chinese Medicine and to Cranial-Sacral Therapy alongside questions concerning anatomy.

So, in order to become a nationally certified massage therapist, one must be familiar with a good deal of woo. Until real medical professionals step into the accreditation process and make a viable standard for all therapists to follow, the world of massage therapy will continue to be rife with pseudoscience.

Footnotes

  1. It's not like they charge everyone everywhere 60 bucks (local currency or US Dollar)
  2. Or a really bad way of explaining things.
  3. Reflexology: A Close Look Stephen Barret, M.D. Quackwatch.org
  4. Effects of reiki in clinical practice: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials
  5. Structural Bodywork, Steiner Education Group, June 2008.
  6. Travell, Janet G., and David G. Simons. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: the Trigger Point Manual. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1983. Print.
  7. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/massage.html
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