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 a nurturing touch.
Touch creates a feeling of well-being and reduces anxiety levels.
Touch is often associated with acceptance.
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3. Who
can benefit from massage therapy?
Everyone can benefit from
getting a massage! Many find that a professional massage can
have special applications suited for their personal needs.
Many will set up a weekly, or bi-weekly session in order to
keep their energy levels and stress levels intact. You can
literally see the difference in one's appearance after a
massage.
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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 to get a massage
on a regular basis. 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.
(TOP)
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 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 to get a massage
on a regular basis. 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.
(TOP)
9. What
is the average cost of a massage?
Cost or fee's depends upon:
* the type of
treatment,
* the experience of the practitioner, * geographic
location
* length of the massage.
Nationally, the average range is
from $45 to $150 for an hour-long treatment, with home visits
sometimes more expensive due to travel time. Most Spas or
Resorts will charge more because of their overhead and the spa
environment that they are able to provide.
We have found prices as high as $250 for a single session and
some spa web sites will show you that they can offer more
services than the standard home based or private based massage
clinic. Such things like saunas, showers, foot baths, wines,
lunches etc.
Surfing the internet we have found, on several massage
therapists personal web sites, that some LMT's who
work out of their home may charge even less in some areas. $25
to $35 for a single session.
(TOP)
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 and have a current license by their state in which
they are working in.
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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. (These
stats change every year).
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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 for someone?
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.
READ MORE: CANCER MASSAGE!
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16. What
should a consumer or client expect when they receive a massage for the
first time?
At first contact, the massage
therapist should ask question about the reasons for getting a
massage, current physical condition, medical history,
lifestyle and stress level and experiences with specific areas
of pain. If necessary, 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
and many times pre-heated with a massage table heating pad.
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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 to the therapist any discomfort of any kind -- whether it’s from
the massage itself or due to room temperature, volume of
music, or other distractions.
(TOP)
MORE INFO
What To Expect
Massage
and Cancer
Much of the info
above can be found on many of the web sites through a simple Google or
yahoo search.
