Massage Therapy

Most of us have had a massage, and we know it is usually a pleasurable experience.  However most of us are unaware of the vast number of different types of massage modalities one could find, especially here in Los Angeles California. 

When I first had the urge to have a massage, I just sought some sort of physical treat, perhaps a soothing relaxing experience that will be refreshing and relieve the stress of daily life.  This is the general impression most of us have of massage and because of this, it is the massage modality most requested by massage seekers.  The fact is that there are literally 100s of modalities available to you. More about this later in this article.

Massage Therapy Definition

Medical Wellness Association defines Massage Therapy as...." the manipulation of soft tissue by hand or through a mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose of body massage and includes: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression, friction, vibration and nerve strokes. The terms "massage," "therapeutic massage," "massage technology," myotherapy," "body massage," "body rub," or any derivation of those terms are synonyms for "massage therapy." (3)"

"There are more than 250 variations of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies and many practitioners utilize multiple techniques. The application of these techniques may include, but is not limited to, stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction, and pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body. This may also include non-forceful passive or active movement and/or application of techniques intended to affect the energetic systems of the body. The use of oils, lotions, and powders may also be included to reduce friction on the skin. Click here for more information on what to expect."

In Swedish massage, the therapist uses long strokes, kneading, and friction on the muscles and moves the joints to aid flexibility.
A therapist giving a deep tissue massage uses patterns of strokes and deep finger pressure on parts of the body where muscles are tight or knotted, focusing on layers of muscle deep under the skin.
In trigger point massage (also called pressure point massage), the therapist uses a variety of strokes but applies deeper, more focused pressure on myofascial trigger points--"knots" that can form in the muscles, are painful when pressed, and cause symptoms elsewhere in the body as well.
In shiatsu massage, the therapist applies varying, rhythmic pressure from the fingers on parts of the body that are believed to be important for the flow of a vital energy called qiIn traditional Chinese medicine, the vital energy or life force proposed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health and to be influenced by the opposing forces of yin and yang..

Massage and Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

More recently, a 2002 national survey on Americans' use of CAM (published in 2004) found that 5 percent of the 31,000 participants had used massage therapy in the preceding 12 months, and 9.3 percent had ever used it. According to recent reviews, people use massage for a wide variety of health-related intents: for example, to relieve pain (often from musculoskeletal conditions, but from other conditions as well); rehabilitate sports injuries; reduce stress; increase relaxation; address feelings of anxiety and depression; and aid general wellness."

How to choose the Best Massage for you