Massage - Top 5 Most Frequently Asked Questions
Massage... The mere mentioning of the word is often responsible for a vast array of images and ideas entering into the mind. So what is a professional massage really like? Take a look at some of these most frequently asked questions. Knowing what to expect will help you to relax and enjoy your massage experience.
1. Must I be completely undressed?
Probably the most frequently asked question to all massage therapist, do I have to get naked? Most massage techniques are performed with the client undressed to the level of their comfort. It is perfectly fine to leave on panties or boxers, as this area will be covered during the massage session. Your entire body will be properly draped during the session with the therapist uncovering each section of the body one at a time. When work on that area of the body is completed it will be covered again. The therapist will remain outside of the room while the client undresses and redresses.
2. What parts of my body will be massaged?
During a professional full body massage, all parts of the body should be worked on with the exception of the pelvic region and the abdominal region. A proper full body massage should include face, scalp, neck, arms, hands, shoulders, back, legs, feet, and gluts. The work on the gluteal muscles is performed on top of the draping so there is no need to uncover that part of the body.
3. Where will my massage take place?
There are two options for the location of your massage. Typically it is done at a massage center or a similar office setting where there is one client and one therapist per room. There are also many professional therapist that will travel to the home of the client and perform massage in the clients home.
4. Should my therapist be certified?
YES. The massage therapy industry is regulated at the state level, meaning that every state has different regulations. All therapist should carry some certification or license. The highest certification is from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). If your therapist is nationally certified, you can rest assured that they have undergone proper training in techniques, ethics, sanitation, and safety precautions. If your therapist is a CMT (Certified Massage Therapist), you need to inquire where the certification was granted from and if it is an accredited institution. The abbreviation LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) refers to local licensing requirements which may be on the state or the city level.
5. Do massage therapist carry liability insurance?
This is also regulated at the state level and varies greatly across the country. Check your state government website (yourstatename.gov) and look for a section on professional or occupational licensing. This will give you the best information on your state guidelines for massage therapist. Two of the most reputable insurance carries for massage therapist are ABMP and AMTA. Ask your therapist if they belong to either of these organizations.
Being familiar with the answers to these questions will help you be prepared for your first massage and ensure that you have a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Now that you are familiar with some of the basic elements of a professional massage, call your local massage center and book your first appointment. Start enjoying the benefits of massage today! Check out my website for more information www.massageinmeridian.com
Kimberly Platter, NCMT, LMT, member AMTA
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kimberly_D_Platter
Monday, May 6, 2013
History of Massage
History of Massage
Have you enjoyed the therapeutic benefits of a professional massage lately? Are you considering regular massage as part of maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle? Let's take a look at the history of massage to better appreciate the valuable resource that a certified professional massage therapist can bring to your team of healthcare providers.
Origin of the Word Massage
In our current vocabulary, massage is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, performed using the hands of the therapist, in order to achieve therapeutic benefits. The Greek root of the word is masso or massein, meaning to touch, to handle, to knead, or to squeeze. The Latin root massa has the same meaning as the Greek. The Arabic mass'h and the sanskrit makeh mean to press softly.
Massage in Ancient Times
Massage is one of the earliest and most natural means of relieving pain and discomfort. When a person has any injury or pain, the first instinctive impulse is to gently touch or rub the affected area. There are many artifacts throughout ancient civilizations that indicate that prehistoric men and women used massage as well as herbs and oils in the regular care of their bodies. Massage, as taught anciently by healers or physicians, was one of the most prominent forms of healthcare in the ancient world.
The Chinese and Egyptians both practiced massage as early as 3,000 B.C. The Chinese focused on treating points of energy with acupuncture (with the use of needles) and acupressure (finger pressure instead of needles). The Egyptians are thought to have created reflexology around 2500 B.C.
The practice of massage spread from China to Japan and India, and later on to the Greeks of Europe. The Greek physician Asclepius, who was later worshipped as the god of medicine, combined exercise and massage to form the art of gymnastics. Hippocrates, a descendant of Asclepius, wrote about the benefits of massage in medical practices. His famous code of ethics, the Hippocratic Oath, is still in use by physicians today. Hippocrates taught that all physicians should be trained in the use of massage as a method of healing.
The Romans learned of the benefits of massage from the Greeks and, combined with their public bath houses, made massage available to the rich and poor alike. Roman general Julius Caesar is believed to have had a daily massage to treat neuralgia and epileptic attacks.
There is not much recorded of massage during the Dark Ages. With the invention of the printing press in the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in massage as people once again placed importance on physical health and appearance. Medical professionals could now share their techniques and stories of success with professionals around the world.
Modern Massage
Modern Massage is the continuation of ancient techniques and theories combined with modern day knowledge of the complete body systems. There is a large body of Western research that now supports the Ancient practices of the Eastern civilizations. The most common form of massage is the Swedish massage, which is a massage designed to boost the circulatory and immune system. It is very effective in increasing the flow of fluids throughout the body and removing toxic cellular waste while delivering fresh oxygenated blood to the muscles.
The documented benefits of massage are widespread and enjoyed across the globe. With the modern emphasis that is now being placed on preventative and alternative therapies, the future use of massage to increase health and maintain a vigorous lifestyle will only grow in popularity.
Millions of people just like you have already improved their quality of life through regular massage. Check out my website http://meridianmassagecenter.massagetherapy.com for more information on different types of massage, or check out my blog http://meridianmassagecenter.blogspot.com to read success stories and testimonials from those who already enjoy a regular professional massage.
Kimberly Platter, NCMT, LMT, member AMTA
Have you enjoyed the therapeutic benefits of a professional massage lately? Are you considering regular massage as part of maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle? Let's take a look at the history of massage to better appreciate the valuable resource that a certified professional massage therapist can bring to your team of healthcare providers.
Origin of the Word Massage
In our current vocabulary, massage is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, performed using the hands of the therapist, in order to achieve therapeutic benefits. The Greek root of the word is masso or massein, meaning to touch, to handle, to knead, or to squeeze. The Latin root massa has the same meaning as the Greek. The Arabic mass'h and the sanskrit makeh mean to press softly.
Massage in Ancient Times
Massage is one of the earliest and most natural means of relieving pain and discomfort. When a person has any injury or pain, the first instinctive impulse is to gently touch or rub the affected area. There are many artifacts throughout ancient civilizations that indicate that prehistoric men and women used massage as well as herbs and oils in the regular care of their bodies. Massage, as taught anciently by healers or physicians, was one of the most prominent forms of healthcare in the ancient world.
The Chinese and Egyptians both practiced massage as early as 3,000 B.C. The Chinese focused on treating points of energy with acupuncture (with the use of needles) and acupressure (finger pressure instead of needles). The Egyptians are thought to have created reflexology around 2500 B.C.
The practice of massage spread from China to Japan and India, and later on to the Greeks of Europe. The Greek physician Asclepius, who was later worshipped as the god of medicine, combined exercise and massage to form the art of gymnastics. Hippocrates, a descendant of Asclepius, wrote about the benefits of massage in medical practices. His famous code of ethics, the Hippocratic Oath, is still in use by physicians today. Hippocrates taught that all physicians should be trained in the use of massage as a method of healing.
The Romans learned of the benefits of massage from the Greeks and, combined with their public bath houses, made massage available to the rich and poor alike. Roman general Julius Caesar is believed to have had a daily massage to treat neuralgia and epileptic attacks.
There is not much recorded of massage during the Dark Ages. With the invention of the printing press in the Renaissance, there was a resurgence of interest in massage as people once again placed importance on physical health and appearance. Medical professionals could now share their techniques and stories of success with professionals around the world.
Modern Massage
Modern Massage is the continuation of ancient techniques and theories combined with modern day knowledge of the complete body systems. There is a large body of Western research that now supports the Ancient practices of the Eastern civilizations. The most common form of massage is the Swedish massage, which is a massage designed to boost the circulatory and immune system. It is very effective in increasing the flow of fluids throughout the body and removing toxic cellular waste while delivering fresh oxygenated blood to the muscles.
The documented benefits of massage are widespread and enjoyed across the globe. With the modern emphasis that is now being placed on preventative and alternative therapies, the future use of massage to increase health and maintain a vigorous lifestyle will only grow in popularity.
Millions of people just like you have already improved their quality of life through regular massage. Check out my website http://meridianmassagecenter.massagetherapy.com for more information on different types of massage, or check out my blog http://meridianmassagecenter.blogspot.com to read success stories and testimonials from those who already enjoy a regular professional massage.
Kimberly Platter, NCMT, LMT, member AMTA
Friday, June 1, 2012
Just worked on a teenager recently. I really enjoy getting to work on that age group, they have a surprising amount of stress and tension in their muscles for such small bodies! With all the growing that is done during those years and the stress from school and athletics, it is really beneficial to hit that "reset" button for their bodies. Studies have shown that massage is really beneficial for self esteem and self image, and it can be a real morale booster for these young people.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Great Day at work yesterday! Had a client whose body was over stressed from both work and physical activity. She got a "charlie horse" in her leg on Saturday and could barely walk by Monday morning and was also experiencing extreme pain in the gluteal region of that leg. She had also been awake since 3:00 am. In the first ten minutes of the massage she said that she was more relaxed than she had been all day. We did a lot of focus work on that leg and gluteal area. I treated her leg with slow, firm elongation strokes to "recalibrate" the muscle spindle cells. The muscle continued to spasm until I performed a passive stretch on the calf muscle. This affects the golgi tendon organs that send signals to the nervous system telling the brain to allow the muscle to relax. The muscle immediately stopped spasming and we were able to continue with the rest of the therapy. Following the massage, the condition of her muscles and mobility were greatly improved (as well as her mood!) I love the feeling of being able to help one of my clients.
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