What does a Massage Therapist do?
A massage therapist is a professional who performs massage and bodywork. The field of massage therapy is quite large, running the gamut from therapists who perform basic Swedish massage to people trained in more esoteric fields like trigger point. A massage therapist’s goal is usually to relax his or her client while promoting general health and well being. Some branches of massage therapy are focused on treating specific health conditions, and on addressing congenital muscular problems. People have been performing massage and bodywork on each other for thousands of years. A friendly human touch is believed to be important to psychological as well as physical health. Several cultures have developed their own distinctive branches of bodywork, such as lomi lomi in Hawaii and Shiatsu in Japan. Bodywork is often integrated into a greater holistic healing practice, like Traditional Chinese Medicine. Many people around the world consider massage as an important part of their personal health
Massage therapy has a wide variety of applications. Therapists help their clients in the areas of relaxation, stress reduction, health promotion, chronic pain management, injury recovery, and dealing with specific maladies. Clientele can include athletes, performers, the elderly, and even office workers. Massage therapists practice in a variety of settings, such as massage therapy clinics, doctor or chiropractor offices, holistic health clinics, health clubs and fitness centers, spas, nursing homes, hospitals, cruise ships, sports team facilities, and private offices. Some have their own portable equipment and perform their work at the office or home of their client. The demand for massage therapists has become very high in recent years, owing to a significant public trend in the use of massage as a prime healthcare modality option. Popular Massage Therapy Schools Most massage therapy programs are taught in small, career-oriented schools and community colleges. Below are a few of the m
A trained therapist uses oil, lotion or aromatherapy as she or he strokes, kneads, rolls, pummels, taps and stretches the muscles and soft tissues while you lie — warm and covered with a sheet or blanket — on a padded table. There are as many types of massage as there are nationalities. Common types in the United States include: Swedish massage: Employs gliding, stroking and friction techniques as well as passive movements, including foot rotation and leg bends. Swedish massage approaches the body from an anatomical, physiological point of view. Deep-tissue massage: A type that works deeper into the body’s tissues. This kind of massage can feel less relaxing, but is well-suited for relieving chronic pain and helping rehabilitate the body after injuries. Ayurvedic massage: Detoxifies and rejuvenates the body through vigorous massage using warm, herbal oils. In one technique, shirodhara, the therapist pours a steady stream of warm oil over the forehead to calm and balance the nervous sys
