Massage Therapy

Inside your muscles are tiny filaments made of myosin and actin. "Filament" means a little string, or thread, or strand. In this picture, the myosin filaments are red, and the actin filaments are black. When a nerve tells your muscle to contract, little grabbers on the myosin filaments pull the actin filaments between them. When this happens in thousands and millions of cells, it can produce a very powerful pulling force!
(View Image)

Massage consists of different types of touch and pressure techniques and can bring about dramatic changes in the health of the body and mind. Ayurvedic massage is an ancient Indian art, which has adapted these techniques for healing, relaxation and treating ailments.

History:

The history of massage dates back several centuries and has been practiced in countries all over the world. The use of Massage for the purpose of healing had great importance in ancient times since it was one of the few treatments available then. It has been distinctly referred to in the history of such ancient cultures as the Chinese, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Roman and Greek philosophers and physicians prescribed massage both for its restorative powers after battle and for general health of body and mind. Ancient Greeks had massage schools in their gymnasiums. They used massage for maintaining health as well as for treating various diseases. In his famous epic Odyssey, Homer mentions beautiful young maidens who gave massage to the fatigued soldiers returning from war. In the Far East, performing musicians and actors learnt massage practices to aid their artistic development. The same is also true of the Kathakali dancers of Kerala in South India, who use massage for reducing fatigue and relaxing muscles. This therapy is described in the ancient Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata as a means of ensuring good health. The Vatsayana Kamasutra mentions massage among other practices for enhancing vitality and sex between partners.

Top

Ayurvedic massage

Ayurvedic massage has long been an important part of overall Ayurvedic treatment. The aim of Ayurvedic massage is to prevent build up of toxic substances and restore the balance of energies inside the body. In order to achieve this, the Ayurvedic massage uses a variety of substances like aromatic and medicated oils, powdered foods such as lentil, and various powdered herbs. The use of these substances varies according to:

The needs of the patient (his/her constitution)
The ailment (the imbalance in the doshas)
The type of massage recommended

Requirements

A Massage should preferably be done in the early hours of the morning, when the stomach is empty. It can also be administered in the evening, 3-4 hours after lunch. However, it should never be done immediately after a meal.
The massage room should be warm and cozy.
Massage can be done either on the massage table, which is about the height of one's waist, or it can be on the floor.
The table should be properly covered with clean white cloth, so that the patient is comfortable during the massage. For other procedures like head massage and oil drip on the head, a special type of table should be used which facilitates recovery of the massage oil from the body of the patient.
The masseur should be healthy. He should not be suffering from any contagious skin disease and should cut all his nails properly so that during massage they will not harm the patient.
The oil to be used for massage should be cold during summer and warm during winter.

Top

Massage For You

Massage according to your Constitution

There are three doshas (or humors) which define your constitution: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. You are made up of a combination of these doshas, which should remain in balance for you to enjoy good health. If they are out of balance they can be brought back into your individual natural balance through massage specific to your constitution.

Massage For People with a Vata Constitution

People belonging to Vata constitution are dry and cool by nature. Hence, oily massage should be given in the early morning or before a warm bath in the evening. This kind of oil massage lubricates dry skin and protects the joints.

Vata people are very sensitive to touch so warm oil should be used. Sesame oil is best for alleviation of dryness, coldness, stiffness and pain. Other medicated oils like Dashamula oil, and oil prepared from group of herbs included in Jeevaniya or Brimhaniya are the best for Vata.

Generally, for people of Vata constitution, oils that have a 'hot potency' such as ginger, basil, camphor, jatamansi and eucalyptus are used.

Massage For People with a Pitta Constitution

The people of Pitta constitution have a rapid metabolism and tendency for fever and inflammatory diseases. Their skin is sensitive and easily gets rashes or gets inflamed.

For Pitta constitution, cooling massage oil should be used. Coconut and sandalwood oil is most suitable for such people. Both these oils calm the mind and cool the body. Sunflower oil is useful for inflamed skin. Medicated oils can also be used. Essential oils include lemongrass, lavender, jasmine and sandalwood, which have cooling effects.

Massage For People with a Kapha Constitution

These people have thick and oily skin. They need massage to improve their circulation and lymph drainage.

As far as possible, oil should not be used for persons with this constitution. For the best massage, powdered herbs should be used. These are dry and have hot potency. A small amount of oil can also be used. These oils should have hot potency like mustard oil or sesame oil. The massage should be vigorous and deep. For people of the Kapha constitution, the essential oils for massage are basil, ginger, clove, and eucalyptus.

Massage for People of a Mixed Dosha Constitution

Vata-Pitta

should use less oil than pure Vata.

Pitta-Kapha

should use sunflower oil

Vata-Kapha

should use dry powders of various hot herbs like acorus - vacha or dry powders of lentils and legumes like chic pea with small amount of hot and penetrating oils like mustard oil.

Top

Self Massage

Self-massage can be done on a daily basis by almost anyone, in order to maintain good health and practice on-going prevention. The massage should be done with the oil that is appropriate for one's constitution.

Requirements:

Massage oil, Hair oil, Hot water bath, Cleansing powder.

Procedure:

1.a) Warm the oil in a water bath to 39 oC. Sit on a stool or chair in a warm bathroom or any other comfortable room.

b) Usually different oils are used for the head and the body. Oils, which are cool in potency, should be used for applying on the head while those, which are, warm in nature, should be used for general body massage.

c) The Massage is done with gentle strokes of the fingers, thumbs and palms. Skill is more important than power in this case. Patting, gentle rubbing, soft squeezing and vibrations are to be used.

2.First, apply the oil on top of the head and massage it in for a minute. For massaging the scalp use the fingertips. Then, massage the face, front and back of the neck and head with the palm.

3.Then take oil suitable for body massage and start massaging the external ear by holding the right ear lobe in the thumb and index finger. Use the tip of the index finger to massage the innermost part of the ear. Repeat the same procedure for the left ear.

4.Then, start massaging the arms with back and forth movements and circular movements over the joints.

5.Now apply the oil to the chest and abdomen. Pour little oil in nabhi marma. Use gentle circular movements on the abdomen to rub the oil in.

6.The last step is to apply the oil to the soles of the feet and then carry out the massage to the lower limbs. It is better to leave the oil on the body at least for 15 to 30 minutes. Then take a warm bath or shower. Use cleansing powders of vacha- calamus or powders of lentils to soak out the excess oil from the skin.

Benefits of Self Massage

Nourishes the Body - (Pushtikara) - The massage increases the muscle tone and improves stamina, vitality, and virility. It also helps activate digestion and the elimination of the body's waste like sweat, urine, stool etc.
Promotes Longevity -(Ayu Kara) - The function of vital organs and tissues as well as the life span can be enhanced.
Induces Proper Sleep- (Swapna Kara) - Physical and mental well being, nourishment, strength, sexual ability, capacity to perceive knowledge, depends upon proper sleep. Massage is a powerful agent, which induces sound sleep.
Increases Strength of the Skin- (Klesha Sahatwa) - The massage increases the resisting power against physical and mental pressure, stress and strain, agonies, sorrows and anxiety. Improves general tolerance and patience.
Removes Fatigue- (Shrama Hara) - Overcomes fatigue. Fatigue due to routine work, mental stress, strain can be corrected by regular massage.

Top

What is Therapeutic Massage?

Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress; and, to promote health and wellness. Massage therapist defines massage therapy as a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well being of the client.

Massage therapy improves functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems and may improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness. Massage involves holding, causing movement of soft tissue, and/or applying pressure to the body. It comes in many forms, including:

How can massage be medically beneficial?

People find that therapeutic massage can help with a wide range of medical conditions, including:

Allergies
Anxiety and stress
Arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Asthma and bronchitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Chronic and temporary pain
Circulatory problems
Depression
Digestive disorders, including spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea
Headache, especially when due to muscle tension
Insomnia
Myofascial pain (a condition of the tissue connecting the muscles)
Reduced range of motion
Sinusitis
Sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and sprained ligaments
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

"Massage therapy is a complementary therapy, not alternative anymore. It's of tremendous benefit."

Although massage therapy does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, partially compensate for the lack of exercise and inactivity resulting from illness or injury. It also can hasten and lead to a more complete recovery from exercise or injury.

Therapeutic massage may not be recommended in some cases, such as in people with:

Inflammation of the veins (phlebitis)
Infectious diseases
Certain forms of cancer
Some skin conditions
Some cardiac problems
Diabetes

If you have one of these or some other diagnosed medical condition, always check with your doctor before seeking a massage.

Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
Reduces muscle spasms
Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
Enhances athletic performance
Promotes deeper and easier breathing
Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
Reduces blood pressure
Helps relieve tension-related headaches and
Effects of eye-strain
Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
Improves posture
Strengthens the immune system

Mental Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Fosters peace of mind.
Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness.
Helps relieve mental stress.
Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately.
Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity.
Satisfies needs for caring - nurturing touch.
Fosters a feeling of well-being.
Reduces levels of anxiety.
Increases awareness of mind-body connection.

What does research show about massage therapy?

Research on the effects of massage therapy has been ongoing for more than 120 years. A surge in research over the past 20 years has resulted in more than 2,500 published studies.

At the University of Miami School of Medicine's Touch Research Institute, 70 studies on touch - the majority on massages therapy - has been published or are under way. Recent and ongoing research at some of the nation's hospitals, such as Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, is expanding knowledge of the benefits of massage for a variety of injuries and ailments.

Among research findings:

Massage increases activity level of the body's natural "killer cells", boosting the immune system.
Office workers massaged regularly were more alert, performed better and were less stressed than those who weren't massaged.
Massage therapy decreased the effects of anxiety, tension, depression, pain, and itching in burn patients.
Abdominal surgery patients recovered more quickly after massage.
Premature infants who were massaged gained more weight and fared better than those who weren't.
Autistic children showed less erratic behavior after massage therapy.

"Massage therapy is beneficial for almost all diseases. Eighty percent of disease is stress-related, and massage reduces stress."

"Massage is to the human body what a tune up is to a car. It provides a physical and mental boost to the weary, sore, and stressed..."

What can you expect?

The first appointment generally begins with the massage therapist asking what prompted you to get a massage, your current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress level, and painful areas. The massage therapist may ask you about your health goals and what you hope the massage will do to help you achieve those goals.

For a full-body massage, you will be asked to remove clothing to your level of comfort. Undressing takes place in private, and a sheet, towel or gown is provided for draping. The therapist will undrape only the part of your body being massaged, ensuring that your modesty is respected at all times. Your massage will take place in a comfortable atmosphere and on a cushioned table. You should expect a peaceful, relaxing experience.

Some massages, such as those onsite at your place of business, are done while you are fully clothed. For this type of massage, often called "seated" massage, you will sit in a specially designed portable chair.