Massage: The Healing Power of Touch

"About one third of Americans still think massage is a luxury," says Mary Beth Braun, president of the American Massage Therapy Association, "but our latest survey shows that 40 percent have had a massage to relieve pain." Massage is now a well-established form of therapy. It is used to treat injuries, to relieve pain, and for relaxation.

Stress causes muscle tension that can be painful. During times of stress, lactic acid builds up in the muscles and causes pain. Massage releases the lactic acid and other toxins that have built up in the muscles. Massage also relieves pain by loosening tight muscles and improving circulation.

Massage is an excellent way to relieve emotional stress, as well. We don't touch one another much in today's society, and touch is soothing and healing to the mind. An hour-long massage can relieve an awful lot of stress!

Types of Massage

There are many different types of massage, used for different purposes. Massage therapists often use a combination of techniques. You can talk with the therapist ahead of time about what techniques he or she will be using.

Swedish Massage- This is the most common type of massage. It involves long, light strokes, circular movements, and kneading of the muscles. It is very relaxing.

Deep Tissue Massage- This type of massage uses more direct pressure. It can be a bit uncomfortable as tight muscles are loosened. This kind of massage is very effective for relieving muscle pain and spasms.

Aromatherapy Massage- This involves including essential oils in the massage. It smells lovely, and the oils are meant to have certain health benefits as well.

Cranio-sacral Massage- This type of massage focuses on the head and spine. It is particularly effective for reliving headaches, and can help with back pain as well.

Acupressure- You may have heard of acupuncture, in which needles are inserted at various points on the body to induce healing. With acupressure, no needles are involved. Instead, pressure is applied using the finer tips to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation. Different pressure points relate to different parts of the body.