Did You Know...

By: Leah Quinn

Massage therapy is one of the oldest health care practices known. References to massage are found in Chinese medical texts dating back more than 4,000 years. Massage therapy has a number of documented clinical benefits such as reducing symptoms associated with

• allergies
• anxiety, depression and stress
• arthritis
• asthma and bronchitis
• carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries
• chronic and temporary pain
• circulatory problems
• digestive disorders
• tension headaches
• insomnia
• temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

No pain, No gain….a vicious rumor!

While problem areas can be tender during a massage the discomfort should not be unbearable. Using too much pressure may cause the body to tense up, while using too little may not have enough effect.  Varying levels of pressure allow the massage therapist to receive useful information via his or her hands, such as locating areas of muscle tension and other soft tissue problems. In practice, many massage therapists use more than one technique or method in their work and sometimes combine several. Effective massage therapists assess each person’s needs and then use the techniques that will best meet those needs.

Communication with your massage therapist is key! Don’t be afraid to ask questions or share good/bad previous experiences.