The Benefits Of Massage
What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage or bodywork treatments? Useful for all of the conditions listed below and more, massage can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

A Powerful Ally
There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:

• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.

Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.

Profound Effects
In response to massage, specific physiological and chemical changes cascade throughout the body, with profound effects. Research shows that with massage:

• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
• Asthmatics show better pulmonary function and increased peak air flow.
• Burn injury patients report reduced pain, itching, and anxiety.
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.

Research continues to show the enormous benefits of touch—which range from treating chronic diseases, neurological disorders, and injuries, to alleviating the tensions of modern lifestyles. Consequently, the medical community is actively embracing bodywork, and massage is becoming an integral part of hospice care and neonatal intensive care units. Many hospitals are also incorporating on-site massage practitioners and even spas to treat postsurgery or pain patients as part of the recovery process.

Increase the Benefits with Frequent Visits
Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you’ll be and how youthful you’ll remain with each passing year. Budgeting time and money for bodywork at consistent intervals is truly an investment in your health. And remember: just because massage feels like a pampering treat doesn’t mean it is any less therapeutic. Consider massage appointments a necessary piece of your health and wellness plan, and work with your Chris to establish a treatment schedule that best meets your needs.

When is Massage NOT right for me?
While there are many benefits that massage can bring, there are occasions when massage is not the most appropriate treatment. These are generally referred to as Massage Contraindications, simply meaning that massage is inadvisable and conditions may exist in which it would not be beneficial to apply massage to part of or all of the body.

Some of these contraindication may be absolute in which case massage is absolutely not appropriate under any circumstance. However there may be other conditions in which massage is contraindicated for some techniques and strokes yet modified massage applications may be quite beneficial.

If you are unsure about any contraindications, check with your physician.

Some of the major contraindications are:

Abnormal body temperature: If you have a high temperature or fever (over around 37.5°C) then massage is not recommended. Generally a fever indicates that the body is trying to isolate and eliminate an invading organism. The body steps up it’s own defense mechanism in order to confine and eliminate the problem. Massage may tend to work against this.

Acute infectious disease: If you have an infectious disease such as influenza, severe colds, typhoid, diptheria and so on, you should not be massaged. By receiving a massage, anyone coming down with an acute viral infection will have the illness intensified (whilst exposing the massage therapist to the virus).

Cancer:  There is a great deal of debate about if massage is appropriate for cancer. One side says that since massage increases circulation and lymphatic flow, there is a possibility that it can helps the cancer metastasize. Others say that it is no more stimulating that a brisk walk or a hot bath. If you are currently being treated for cancer, please consult with your physician before commencing with any massage therapy. Often a scalp or foot massage can provide some "healing touch".

Inflammation: When there is acute inflammation, massage to that area is not advisable as it may further irritate the area and/or intensify the inflammation. If you’ve had a recent injury (within the previous 24 hours) eg an ankle sprain or you’ve “felt something go” in your back, then standard RICE First Aid principles apply.

Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation

and consult your doctor or health care professional. Massage to the inflammed area at this time may cause more harm than good.
(apply ice for only about 15 minutes at a time - a commercial ice pack or simply crushed ice wrapped in a towel is effective. Do not apply directly onto the skin or leave for extended periods)

Although working directly on an area may be contraindicated, working around the area to release muscle restrictions and/or trigger points may be beneficial in promoting the natural healing properties of the body. Also once the inflammation has subsided (typically around 72-96 hours after the injury) then massage can assist in improving joint mobility and reducing scar tissue formation.

Varicose veins: With varicose veins, the valves of the veins break down normally because of back pressure in the circulatory system and the veins bulge. This generally occurs in the legs as a result of gravity, the result of crossing of the legs or other sitting postures that inhibit circulation to and from the legs. Standing for long periods of time can also be a contributing factor. During pregnancy, pressure on the veins in the pelvic area can influence the formation of varicose veins. Any deep massage on and around the area of varicose veins may set a blood clot loose in the general blood circulation and as such, massage is contraindicated.

Osteoporosis: In the advanced stages of osteoporosis, bones can become brittle, occasionally reaching the point that they can be easily broken. Before commencing a massage therapy program, a client with osteoporosis should obtain the advice of their health care practitioner.

High Blood Pressure: If a client has a history of high blood pressure, then their health care practitioner should be consulted prior to massage. It is possible that massage may be of assistance in relieveing some hypertension associated with high blood pressure. Low blood pressure is not a major consideration in massage (although care must be taken at the end of the massage – in some cases clients can experience dizziness with a further drop in blood pressure).

Pregnancy: Massage is contraindicated during the first trimester of pregnancy. I am currently not trained in massage for pregnant women in the second and third trimesters...

Other contraindications: There are other numerous contraindications for receiving a massage. Generally the guidelines are straightforward - the massage therapist does not want to make any underlying medical condition worse and you don't want to pass anything contagious to your therapist. If you are unsure then please check with your doctor before commencing massage therapy.

The other conditions include: