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1 What
is massage therapy?
Massage therapy spans a wide variety
of therapeutic approaches, working to improve an individual’s health
and well-being through the hands-on manipulation of muscles and other
soft tissues of the body.
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2. What
are the key benefits of massage therapy?
Physical -- Massage therapy is
designed to stretch and loosen muscles, improve blood flow and the
movement of lymph throughout the body, facilitate the removal of
metabolic wastes resulting from exercise or inactivity, and increase
the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. In addition,
massage stimulates the release of endorphins -- the body’s natural
painkiller -- into the brain and nervous system.
Mental -- Massage therapy
provides a relaxed state of alertness, reduces mental stress and
enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity.
Emotional -- Massage therapy
satisfies the need for caring and nurturing touch, creates a feeling
of well-being and reduces anxiety levels.
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3. Who
can benefit from massage therapy?
Everyone! Many find that a
professional massage can have special applications suited for their
personal needs.
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4. What
do research studies say about massage therapy?
Myriad research studies confirm that
massage therapy provides physical, mental and emotional benefits at
all stages of life.
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5. How
is massage therapy regarded by the medical community?
In many countries, massage therapy is
an integral and important part of the healthcare system, with massage
therapists working alongside doctors. While many physicians support
the discipline, America is the only developed country where massage
therapy is not yet an official part of the healthcare system. However,
as U.S. health insurance providers increasingly look to prevention,
they are beginning to extend coverage on some plans to include
complementary medicine and the practice of massage therapy.
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6. How
popular is massage therapy as a form of medical treatment?
According to a 1993 article in the New
England Journal of Medicine, massage therapy is estimated to be
the third most prevalent type of alternative/complementary medical
treatment sought by adult Americans -- following relaxation techniques
and chiropractic.
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7. How
often do U.S. consumers visit massage therapists and how much do they
spend?
Estimates are that consumers visit
massage therapists 75 million times per year, spending between $2
billion and $4 billion annually on these visits. A 1993 article in the
New England Journal of Medicine estimated that annual
expenditures for massage therapy accounted for approximately 26
percent of the $11.7 billion spent on alternative healthcare-provider
services and about 18 percent of the 425 million annual visits to such
providers.
(TOP)
8. Is
massage therapy a luxury?
In fact, according to one media
characterization, "massage is to the human body what a tune-up is
to a car.
It provides a physical boost to the weary, sore and stressed."}
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9. What
is the average cost of a massage?
Cost depends upon the type of
treatment, the experience of the practitioner, geographic location and
length of the massage. Nationally, the range is from $45 to $150 for
an hour-long treatment, with home visits sometimes more expensive due
to travel time.
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10. What
credentials should a qualified massage therapists have?
A qualified massage therapist should
either be nationally certified or be able to document professional
training in massage therapy at an accredited institution.
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11. How
many massage therapists are there in the U.S.?
The number of massage therapists is
estimated at between 120,000 and 150,000, including part-time and
full-time practitioners.
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12. In
what setting do massage therapists practice?
Massage therapists offer their
services in a wide variety of settings, including:
- private practice clinics and
offices
- chiropractors’ offices
- salons, spas, resorts and cruise
ships
- health clubs and fitness centers
- nursing homes and hospitals
- on-site in the workplace
- in client’s homes
- schools
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13. Is
massage therapy a growing profession recognized by others?
- Today, 32 of approximately 120
medical schools offer courses in alternative medicine. The number
continues to grow annually, with estimates that all 120 schools
will offer courses in alternative medicine by the year 2010.
- The National Institutes of Health
created the Office of Alternative Medicine in 1992 to study the
efficacy of alternative therapies.
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14. Why
are more people becoming involved in massage therapy?
The health and fitness movement is a
driving force behind the growth of the massage therapy profession, as
is America’s growing emphasis on wellness. Athletes and performing
artists praise massage for the way it helps to improve performance and
enhance recovery; doctors increasingly recommend it for stress relief
and as part of treatment programs for chronic pain and other medical
conditions; and, businesses have begun to recognize its potential to
boost worker productivity and moral.
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15. When
might the use of massage therapy be inappropriate?
If you suffer from certain
circulatory ailments (such as phlebitis), infectious diseases, certain
forms of cancer, cardiac problems, certain skin conditions, or any
inflamed or infected tissues, be sure to consult your physician before
initiating any massage program. Massage is recommended for
many who have cancer.
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16. What
should a consumer expect when they receive a massage for the first time?
At first contact, the massage
therapist should ask questions about the reasons for getting a massage,
current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle and stress
level and experiences with specific areas of pain. Undressing takes place in private and a sheet, towel or gown is
provided for draping during the massage. The therapist will undrape
only the part of the body being massaged, insuring that modesty is
respected at all times. The massage takes place on a comfortable
padded table. (Absolutely NO type of sexual massage is
performed at any time)
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17. What
information should be given to the massage therapist?
A person receiving a massage should
give the therapist accurate health information and always report
discomfort of any kind -- whether it’s from the massage itself or
due to room temperature, volume of music, or other distractions.
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