What is Massage Therapy?

The practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain.

(Massage Therapy Act, 1991)

Simply put, it is a hands-on treatment involving pressing or kneading muscles, associated joints and connective tissues to provide a therapeutic effect towards healing and increase relaxation.

What is a Massage Therapist?

A Registered Massage Therapist is an individual who has successfully completed a minimum 2200 hours of competency-based training, such as Anatomy, Physiology, Neurology, including a comprehensive clinical component.  In accordance with the Massage Therapy Act and the Regulated Health Professions Act, Massage Therapists are examined and registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.

As a regulated health professional in Ontario, only a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) or Massage Therapist (MT) is permitted to use these titles.

Massage Therapy can help treat acute and chronic conditions

Here is a list of some of the conditions that benefit from massage therapy:

	Fractures
	Stress and related conditions
	Tendonitis
	Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
	Pregnancy and labour support
	infant massage (preterm/low birth weight/full term)
	Edema
	Hyperlordosis
	Sprains
	Strains
	Scoliosis
	Kyphosis
	Cancer
	Insomnia
	Stroke
	Asthma/Emphysema/Chronic Bronchitis
	Scar tissue
	Neurological conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s
	Headaches
	Constipation
	Low back pain
	Fibromyalgia
	Whiplash
	Post-surgical rehabilitation
	Inflammatory conditions like Arthritis and Bursitis
	Relaxation!

What should I expect during my visit?

On your first visit, you will be required to fill out a medical health history form, which is kept confidential in accordance with strict privacy legislation (PIPEDA, PHIPA).

Massage Therapists use orthopaedic testing to help determine injuries or disorders of the skeletal system and associated muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Based on the focus of your care, you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan. This entails the areas to be worked on, the types of techniques, your goals, risks and benefits, self-care, how often your treatments will take place and any possible referrals. You have the right at any time to ask questions, change or stop your treatment plan, and a reassessment is usually done after an agreed upon time to examine the progress of your condition.

During a treatment, you remove as much clothing as you feel comfortable with, usually underpants remain on. You then lie on a massage table, in between sheets, on your back, side or stomach. Pillows are placed appropriately to reduce stress on low back and limbs. Only the area being treated will be undraped.

Oil, gel or lotion specific to massage is used. A variety of techniques can be used to stretch and loosen muscles, connective tissue, and move the joints, thereby reducing tension and increasing the range of motion.

These techniques include effleurage (gliding strokes), petrissage (kneading), frictions (rubbing), vibrations (light rapid shaking), and tapotement (rhythmic tapping).

Some other techniques and modalities that may be included are hydrotherapy (applications of hot or cold-water in various forms), lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy, myofascial therapy, (connective tissue) and peripheral joint mobilization, (passive movements of the joints) and remedial exercise. Some therapists offer additional skills, such as Craniosacral Therapy, Shiatsu, Reiki, etc.

Treatments last between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on what you and your therapist have agreed upon.

At the end of your treatment, your therapist will give you self-care tips and if needed, remedial exercise techniques to help stretch or strengthen the muscles worked on. It is important to adhere to them, as it will help prolong the positive effects of massage.

The benefits:

Massage Therapy can enhance a person’s physical and emotional health as well as:

	increasing circulation
	improving lymphatic drainage
	improving the function of the immune system
	decreasing muscle tension
	improving range of motion and joint health
	reducing  or eliminating pain
	improving body awareness
	reducing stress and depression

Massage releases stress-relieving hormones called endorphins, a chemical occurring naturally in the brain that possess natural analgesic properties and can produce feelings of euphoria. In return, reducing stress-producing chemicals, like cortisol, in the body.

Infants and children also benefit from Massage Therapy. It not only creates a nurturing bond between parent and child, it also facilitates improved  digestion and sleep patterns, improved body awareness and self-esteem.

Preterm and/or low birth-weight infants who receive massage therapy improve in weight gain, and are more likely to leave Hospital sooner.

The risks:

For some, there can be reactions to massage, like headache, muscle soreness and dizziness, but in order to avoid this, drink plenty of water following your treatment, and take a shower or an epsom–salt bath before bed. This will help eliminate the metabolic wastes such as uric acid and lactic acid that is released from the muscles during massage. These and other chemicals also contribute to muscular discomfort experienced shortly after rigorous exercise.

It is important to follow-up with your Massage Therapist, and share with them of any reactions after your treatment, so it is documented and modified for your next treatment.

Some conditions are a contraindication to Massage Therapy, for example, open wounds, unstable blood pressure, bacterial infections, kidney failure, and embolism.

Modifications are made for such conditions as diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, post surgical scars, and cancer.

In addition to Massage Therapy assisting to treat acute and chronic conditions, it can also play an important role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and help prevent injury and illness.

Think of Massage Therapy not just as a luxury, but consider it as part of a necessary wellness program.

References:

http://www.massagetherapy.com/glossary/index.php

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/micro/gallery/endorphin/endorphins.html

http://weber.u.washington.edu/~chudler/hero.html

http://www.timnoonan.com.au/maspap98.htm

http://www.omta.com

http://www.cmto.com

http://www.privcom.gc.ca/legislation/02_06_01_e.asp

http://members.aol.com/profchm/todd.html

http://www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/15859182?queryText=stress%20hormones

http://altmed.creighton.edu/massage/adverse_effects.htm

Ireland, M., & Olson, M. (2000). Massage therapy and therapeutic touch in children: state of the science. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine, 6(5).

Vickers, A., Ohlsson, A., Lacy, J.B., Horsley, A. (2004). Massage for promoting growth and development of preterm and/or low birth-weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, (2):CD000390.