Massage, once considered a luxury, has emerged as a vital component of healthcare, offering a wide array of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. From relieving muscle tension and pain to reducing stress and improving sleep, healing massage has become an increasingly popular and recognized therapeutic modality.
Understanding Healing Massage
Massage is a general term that encompasses pressing, rubbing, and manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It involves hands-on techniques to move the soft tissues in the body to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, and promote relaxation and overall well-being. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure, depending on the style and the individual's needs.
Therapeutic massage is a targeted form of massage therapy that focuses on relieving pain, improving circulation, and aiding the body’s natural healing processes. It’s not merely a feel-good indulgence but a practical and often necessary component of recovery and wellness.
Therapeutic Massage vs. General Massage Therapy
Massage therapy includes a wide range of massages aimed at relaxation and general well-being. Therapeutic massage refers to massage sessions that are specifically designed to address and improve specific health conditions or issues.
Massage Therapy vs. Bodywork
Massage therapy is a specific form of bodywork that focuses on manipulating soft tissues through various massage techniques. Bodywork is a more general term that includes a wider range of therapeutic practices, of which massage therapy is one of the many approaches.
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Medical Massage vs. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a more general practice focused on relaxation and overall well-being. Medical massage is therapeutic massage that addresses specific medical conditions.
The Science Behind Healing: How Massage Works
The body possesses an incredible capacity to heal itself, and the absence of stress creates an environment that facilitates this natural healing process. Therapeutic massage helps you to relax and feel better mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Massage therapy increases both blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Studies show that massage therapy may also help break up scar tissue, like after a surgery. Regular massage therapy may be able to help your scar heal so it’s not as thick or stiff as it might otherwise be.
Furthermore, massage therapy activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s physiological way of relaxing. The calming effects of massage can lower levels of cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) while increasing feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.
A Diverse Toolkit: Types of Massage
Today, if you need a massage, you can choose from about 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques.
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Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Some massage therapists use oils and lotions, others do not. Most massage therapists have clients unclothe for a massage, but some do not. A massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours.
Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you're looking for and ask which style the therapist uses. Many use more than one style. The therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.
Here is a list of some of the more popular massage therapy styles:
- Swedish Massage: The most common type of massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on the topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with the movement of joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.
- Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
- Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
- Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
- Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand
- Deep Tissue Massage: Best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage may be therapeutic, relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprains.
- Sports Massage: Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training-before, during, or after sports events. You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. It may also help relieve muscle strains and speed up healing after a sports injury.
- Chair Massage: Done while you're seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.
- Shiatsu Massage: The therapist uses varied, rhythmic pressure on certain precise points of the body. These points are called acupressure points, and they are believed to be important for the flow of the body's vital energy, called chi. Proponents say shiatsu massage can help relieve blockages at these acupressure points.
- Thai Massage: The therapist uses their body to move the client into a variety of positions. This type of massage includes compression of muscles, mobilization of joints, and acupressure.
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage: A gentle massage of your tissues designed to help increase the circulation of lymph fluids in your body. The massage is usually done with light pressure with gentle, long strokes along the skin to increase the movement of lymph through your system.
- Hot Stone Massage: The therapist places warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. The stones may be used as massage tools or temporarily left in place. Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.
- Reflexology: Uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is expected to promote health and well-being.
- Pregnancy Massage: Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Using specially designed massage pillows, the massage therapist will help you get into a comfortable position for this type of massage.
- Cranial Sacral Massage: A trained therapist uses light touch and subtle movements to assess and address any imbalances or restrictions in the craniosacral system.
- Trigger Point Massage: A trained therapist applies pressure directly to the identified trigger points to help release tension and get rid of pain. The pressure can vary in intensity, and the therapist may use their fingers, knuckles, elbows, or other tools to target the specific areas effectively.
- Myofascial Release: A trained therapist uses gentle pressure on specific areas of the body to release tightness within the fascial system. The therapist may use their hands, fingers, elbows, or specialized tools to apply pressure and stretch the fascia in a way that encourages it to return to a more relaxed state.
The Multifaceted Benefits of Healing Massage
Many types of massage offer benefits beyond simple relaxation. Here are just a few of the health problems that may benefit from massage:
Physical Benefits
- Pain Relief: Massage therapists use different techniques to address a variety of diseases, injuries, and types of pain. They can work on issues that are either chronic (meaning they last a long time) or acute (an issue that happened recently and can be cared for in the near future). Medical massage may also help relieve some of the pain and discomfort associated with cancer treatment and post-operative recovery.
- Increased Range of Motion: Massage therapy may help soften stiff, hard muscles, making it easier for you to move.
- Promotes Healing: Massage therapy increases both blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Complements Other Therapies: Your physician, chiropractor, or physical therapist might recommend therapeutic massage to go along with other therapies you’re already receiving to treat a particular area of your body.
Massage therapy is proven to improve several health conditions, including:
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- Back pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Headaches, including migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, or sinus headaches
- Whiplash
- Muscle strains and sprains (after inflammation has gone down)
- Repetitive strain injuries from sitting or standing postures that are held for several hours a day (including working a sedentary desk job)
- Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- Tendonitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Soft tissue strains and injuries
- Sports injuries
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
Mental and Emotional Benefits
Massage also has many mental health benefits. It's common to feel relaxed, tired, or even sore after a massage because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist.
Massage therapy is a powerful stress reliever and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s physiological way of relaxing. The calming effects of massage can lower levels of cortisol (the body’s primary stress hormone) while increasing feel-good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine.
Massage therapy may help improve the quality of life and treat the anxiety and depression that people with HIV or AIDS go through. A review of 17 clinical trials found that massage therapy may help reduce depression.
Additional benefits include:
- Sleep improvement
- Anxiety reduction
- Stress reduction
Immune System Boost
Massage therapy can boost the immune system by increasing activity of white blood cells, which play a key role in defending the body from illness. These effects can be particularly beneficial for patients recovering from surgery, chemotherapy, or other medical treatments.
Benefits for Specific Conditions
- Cancer: Massage therapy is used as a complement to traditional Western medicine and can promote relaxation and reduce cancer symptoms or side effects of treatment. It may help reduce pain, swelling, fatigue, nausea, or depression and improve the function of your immune system.
- HIV/AIDS: Research suggests that massage therapy may help improve the quality of life and treat the anxiety and depression that people with HIV or AIDS go through.
Spot Work: Targeted Treatment
“Spot work” is when your massage therapist works on your specific area of concern for a shorter period of time - about 15 minutes - as part of your therapeutic treatment at a chiropractor’s office or physical therapy clinic.
Your massage therapist may also incorporate stretches into your treatment plan. If that’s the case, be sure to wear loose-fitting clothing or activewear to your appointment.
Considerations and Precautions
While massage therapy is generally safe, it’s essential to be aware of certain precautions:
- Some people think that massage must hurt to help. If your massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure.
- Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.
- Some medical diagnoses may specifically require a doctor’s referral.
- “Some people with preexisting medical conditions may not benefit from massage therapy,”
- Any existing health issues you have should be discussed with your doctor prior to treatment.
Speak to your healthcare provider beforehand if you have:
- A condition that requires you to take blood-thinning medication, as this could contribute to bruising
- A disease that causes weak skin
- Any kind of medical devices implanted in or attached to your body
- Blood clots in your legs (deep vein thrombosis)
- Osteoporosis, which could make you vulnerable to fractures
- Tumors
Also, medical massage usually isn’t recommended if you have surgery coming up or have recently undergone surgery, or if you’ve recently visited the hospital.
There seems to be a low amount of risk associated with massage therapy. But there have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a nerve injury, blood clot, or bone fracture. The reported cases of side effects are sometimes associated with more intensive types, such as deep tissue massage, or they involve patients who might be at increased risk of injury, such as older people.
Finding the Right Massage Therapist
Like choosing other health care professionals, it's important to be a conscious consumer when selecting a massage therapist.
When looking for a massage therapist, treat it as looking for any other type of medical professional. First, define your goals. Determine what type of massage you're looking for so you can narrow down your search. Ask for recommendations from friends and family. If your inner circle doesn't have a trusted massage therapist they rely on, expand your search online. Check online directories that include reviews. Once you've set your sights on a few professionals, research their credentials. Make sure they are licensed and registered to work in your area. Then, find out what they charge and if that is in your budget. After you have verified that this person seems like a good fit and works in an area that is within a reasonable distance from you, set up a consultation so you can meet them and discuss your concerns. After you have met them, trust your gut on whether this person seems like someone you can trust with your well-being.
A skilled therapist has a vast toolbox of techniques that can be incorporated based on your needs, and he or she will respond and modify these techniques based on your feedback.
What to Expect at a Massage Therapy Visit
With so many therapeutic massage options and goals, it’s hard to say what your experience may entail or how it will feel. There’s no standard or typical therapeutic massage routine. Your massage therapist will tailor your massage to your unique and specific health needs.
Each patient should expect to arrive up to 15 minutes prior to the start of their appointment to check in and fill out any necessary paperwork. You’ll be greeted by a therapist and taken to the treatment room where you’ll discuss the reason for your visit and what your goals and expectations are from massage therapy.
When you first call to make your appointment, talk about your specific needs and explain exactly what you’d like to be worked on. For example, why did your doctor recommend you try therapeutic massage? What are your areas of concern, and why or how did it happen? The more information you can provide, the better.
During your visit, expect low lighting and soft music, as with a relaxation massage. A therapeutic massage session may consist of a whole-body treatment or may just focus on your targeted area of concern for an extended period of time. Your overall session may be as short as 30 minutes or as long as 90 minutes.
As you settle in for your therapeutic massage, remember: It may feel deeper than relaxation massages that you’ve had in the past. Some people say it feels painful in a good way - but if anything starts to feel painful in a bad way, speak up. It’s always important to let your massage therapist know if the pressure feels too deep or uncomfortable.
The specialty of each therapist varies, as does the level of pressure and use of techniques and/or tools. The patient is encouraged to speak up so that the session stays within their level of comfort regarding pressure. Sessions at Ohio State last around 45 minutes.
Costs and Insurance Coverage
The average cost of massage therapy varies depending on your location, the setting, and the type of therapy, but the national average cost is $60 per hour.
Costs, insurance coverage, and prescriptions vary by medical massage provider, so it’s always best to check before you schedule. At the Center for Integrative Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we require a prescription anytime a patient is planning to bill though their health insurance or wants to use their flexible spending account or health savings account to pay for the service.
Healing Massage: A Path to Wellness
Therapeutic massage has long been recognized as a powerful tool for physical and mental well-being. It's not only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply seeking stress relief, therapeutic massage offers benefits that go far beyond relaxation.
Massage therapy is safe and effective for people of all ages. It’s an investment in your overall health and a path to a more balanced and fulfilling life. As demand for natural and holistic care grows, massage therapy has stepped into the spotlight not only as a path to health but also as a fulfilling career.