Massage Therapist

The profession of massage therapist is concerned of manipulate the soft tissues of a client's body in order to decrease stress, tension of the muscles. Massage therapy refers to the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body, that include applying pressure, holding, vibration, friction, kneading and compression using primarily the hands, forearms, elbows or feet. All of the techniques are used for the benefit of the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. Massage has positively influences to well-being of the patient, because of psyhical and mental benefits like: relaxation, loosening tight muscles, relieving tired and aching muscles, increasing flexibility of motion, diminishing chronic pain, calming the nervous system lowering blood pressure and heart rate, enhancing skin tone, strengthening the immune system, reducing tension headaches and mental stress, promoting restful sleep.

To get a profession as a massage therapist is necessary to take course and examinations, which are set by the nationally recognised bodies. In Poland its Ministry of National Education. Courses generally take a year part-time or there are condensed full-time alternatives. All massage courses contain the following elements: anatomy and physiology, massage techniques, diagnosis and assessment, patient care, the effects of massage, contra-indications. After the exam students get the diploma of massage technician.
Furthermore, there is a lot of short-term courses of specialization in various massage techniques, where therapists can improve their job prospects and earning potential by becoming more qualified like: lomi lomi massage, deep-tissue massage, thai massage, sports massage, manual lymph drainage, shiatsu, chinese bubble massage, acupressure, traditional chinese medicine etc. Expanding of professional competence opens up a new potential client base.The experience gained as a massage therapist is also worthful in the path of career of other specialists, like: osteopath, physiotherapist or Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner. Further years of study are required in these cases.

Beside proper education massage therapist should have personal skills, like: calm and empathetic nature, patience, physical endurance, since giving an hour long massage is very demanding, manual dexterity, and standard of personal hygiene.

Working conditions depend from the place, where the massae therapist is hired. Usually in a clinical setting within an alternative medicine clinic, or a sports rehabilitation clinic alongside other practitioners such as physiotherapists or osteopaths. Most important advantages of into the career of massage therapist its flexibility and possibilies to choose convenient houres of working. The most common employers are hospitals, spas, chiropractic offices, physical therapy offices, health clubs, hotels, and privately owned massage studios. Another option is starting a self-employers business, traveling to client's homes, working out of home, or renting space from someone. Furthermore profession like this give an opportunity to practice in different countries, even without fluent knowledge of the local language.

The basic tool of massage is a massage bed. These are in portable versions, so that patients can be visited in their own homes. Massage chairs are also frequently employed in on-site massage, at an offices. For the application of massage are used special oils, most commonly the neutral smelling and chemically stable walnut oil, aromatherapeutic oils, and when it comes to relaxation massage - chocolate, honey, special muds, or basalt stones.

Working hours depend from kind of patients, when it comes to patients in hospitals or elder people usually they are in 8 - 17h, and when it comes to clients of spas, beauty salons etc - early morning and evening treatment sessions are common as are weekends.

Working as massage therapist is extremely tiring for the practitioner, so good technique and posture must be maintained in order to work efficiently. Although very important issue is to be in form and constant, systhematic working on the fit and practice healthy living. Moreover it's significant to be a good example for the patients and motivate them to stay active and take care of themselves.

hard work, is a very rewarding career and the sense of achievement gained from helping people to relax and overcome injury is cited as one of the main reasons people continue to practise.

Within a massage therapy course, a huge part of the curriculum is hands-on study. Students are usually required to perform massage on each other right from the outset. As ongoing training they are also required to perform coursework outside of class in the form of case studies - private trial patients whose treatment is logged and submitted for approval. As such, students gain valuable insight into what it is like to be a patient and more importantly on how to give a massage.

Employers

Physiotherapy, sports or alternative medicine clinics are the biggest employers of massage therapists. Alternatively some therapists work on their own and advertise in health food shops, on the Internet and in local sports facilities.

Career Progression

Massage therapists can improve their job prospects and earning potential by becoming more qualified. Moving from Swedish massage to Deep Tissue or Sports, for example, opens up a new potential client base.

The experience gained as a massage therapist is also invaluable to anyone going on to become medically qualified as an osteopath, physiotherapist or TCM practitioner. Further years of study are required in these cases.

To the mainly duties and responsibilities of massage therapist belongs:

A massage therapist has the following daily duties and responsibilities:

• Meeting with clients and taking a detailed cases study

• Employing the various techniques of massage based on the client's medical history and physical state of being

• Planning a course of treatment based on the client's symptoms and reaction to treatment

• Keeping detailed patient records

• Referring to another medical health practitioner like a GP or physiotherapist when necessary

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The health benefits of massage have been known for centuries. Writings on the subject have been found in many of the world's ancient societies including ancient China, Greece, India, Mesopotamia and the Khmer Kingdom (South East Asia). Massage in the UK became popular in the late 1800s after the techniques developed by Per Henrik Lings in Sweden became popular in the English speaking world. Lings is the forefather of modern Physical Education curriculum (PE or PT), of which remedial massage was only a small part.

In the UK today, both highly specialised and foreign massage disciplines are becoming increasingly available as massage's health benefits are further recognised by the medical establishment and embraced by the press.

The most popular forms of massage today are:

• Swedish massage - sometimes known as body massage this is based on techniques of kneading the muscles with hands and elbows in order to decrease tension and flush toxins through the body's lymphatic system.

• Sports massage - requiring a greater level of skill and study, this aims to remedy sporting injuries, improve recovery after an event, or prepare an athlete for competition.

• Head massage - the head, neck and shoulders are targeted to decrease the tension and anxiety that can lead to headaches or stress.

• Thai Massage - an ancient system of massage that is hugely popular in Thailand and South East Asia. It involves assisted stretching as well as vigorous, deep-tissue massage and pressure point work.

• Structural Integration - sometimes known as Rolfing, this is a practice based on the theory that mind and body are not separate entities but inextricably connected and every mental neurosis is mirrored in a corresponding physical dysfunction. The technique is based upon the findings of the radical psychoanalyst William Reich, a student of Sigmund Fred and was developed by Ida Rolf in the 1960s.

Salary

Many massage therapists are self-employed and earn a fixed fee per treatment. The more clients they have on their books, the greater their earnings. As their experience and reputation grows, they can charge more per treatment.

• A massage therapist starting out may earn from Ł12,000 - Ł18,000 per annum.

• An experienced massage therapist with a large client base can earn from Ł22,000 - Ł30,000 per annum.

• A highly recommended, expert massage therapist working regularly can earn up to Ł50,000 per annum.

or attend courses

When making my decision to go into this field, I asked myself many questions. Am I looking to massage full time or part time, what environment can I see myself working in, what type of

clientele would I enjoy seeing, do I want to work at one place or multiple, or do I want to work for myself? There are many questions I had to ask in determining what my day may look like, and the above are just a few to get me started. When entering MT School I thought I was going to use massage as a way to supplement my income. I wanted something extremely flexible that I could do anywhere, anytime. At the time I was a professional bowler, traveling not only the country, but the world. My thoughts were I could do massage on other bowlers

at tournaments and between stops. One thing was for certain, we all needed it! What I didn't realize was how drastically my life was to shift upon seeing what all the possibilities were in this career choice. With the bowling industry struggling to stay afloat, and not too many places for a female bowler to compete, I decided to look at other opportunities.

Another option I considered was working for myself.

That may mean opening a store front, traveling to client's homes, working out of my own home, or renting space from someone.

A month into school and I was completely enthralled, I couldn't get enough of what I was learning. I decided that I wanted to get started right away and learn as much as I possibly could.

I started looking for a job that would allow me to be at least in the field I was so captivated by, so when I was licensed, I would have a full working knowledge of the industry. When looking at the above choices, I decided the best bet for me was to work for someone else to learn the ins and outs of all that went into running a massage business. Within weeks I found myself working at a privately owned massage studio. My rationale was I would learn more working for an independent company with many areas that I could take part in. Prior to finishing school my day was mostly cleaning and administrative duties, but I also completed my school hands on outreach hours at work. Once licensed, my role was massage therapist and manager of that massage studio. Of course, first priority was servicing clients needing massage but when there weren't bodies to massage, I was making advertisements, e-newsletters, adding to our client database, and other administrative/advertising/marketing activities. My day may have looked something like this:

10:30am Walk to work

11:00am Shift started

11 -12p If no client, check message

s, return calls, start laundry

12:15 - 1:15 Greet client, ta

ke history, massage session

1:15 - 1:30 Wash hands, use restroom, ring

up that client, get table ready for next

appointment, and switch the laundry

2:30 - 3:30 Greet client, ta

ke history, massage session

3:45p Lunch

4:45p - 5:45p If no client, crea

te an e-newsletter, add to

client database, laundry, etc

5:45p - 6:45p Greet client, ta

ke history, massage session

6:45p - 7:00p Wash hands, use restroom, ri

ng up client, get table ready for next

appointment, and switch the laundry

7:00 - 8:00p Last Massage Session of

the day - Greet, history, massage

8:00p Close up duties....Clean

table, fold laundry, etc

8:30p Walk home/dinner

The above was a pretty typical day for my fi

rst two years of employment in the Massage

Therapy industry. I worked 5 days a week, 11p to 8p or 12 to 9p, and weekends, as this is when

most people are free to receive massage. My

days off were Monday

and Wednesday, or two

days during the week. Some days I would have as

many as five clients and some days as little as

0 or 1. Days with 5, all I did was massage, laun

dry, and lunch. Days with very little massage

were geared toward getting more people in the do

or. If I was working for myself, the day would

be very similar except I would have

leeway to decide if I wanted

to leave early, when I want to

book clients, maybe I need a full day

to work on generating clients etc.

Wages: There are a few different options in

payment arrangements. Generally in massage a

therapist is either an employee paid hourly with

tips or an independent

contractor working on a

percentage split, that is unless one works for th

em self. The example above, I was an employee

at $14/hour with tips. If working on a percen

tage split one might expect a 70/30, 60/40 or a

more uncommon, and good split, for a therapist would be 50/50. The employer usually gets the higher split percentage. As an

employee, the benefit was I made a stable, dependable income.

And as an independent c

ontractor, the benefit is

the high earning potential.

My second and current arrangement is working pa

rt time for myself and part time as a massage

instructor. I feel it is the best of two worlds.

I get to do some massage, but not too much in that

I get burnt out, and I also get to teach others what

I love to do so much. I decided to work part

time as a massage instructor, but that could be

any other part time job if a person has other

interests. In teaching I have a set income a

nd then supplement with the hands on. I can do 0 massage or 30 hours of massage in a week depending on how I feel and how much money I need or want to make. I've slowly generated clients that I see on a regular basis. I have a few that I travel to their home and then I also rent space at a Pilates Studio. I rent the space by the massage hour, $20/hour and I pay only if I have a client (some arrangements are to rent a space for an allotment of time. Here one would pay say $50 for an entire day. Whether you have 8 clients or 0 clients you would still have that fee). I'm subjectto the spaces availability but I don't have any expense unless I've booked a client. In my situation, I have a lot of flexibility. I can take a day off, book a half hour between people if I need more time, charge what I feel is reasonable for the service, etc. The great thing I am able to take home almost the entire amount I charge, but I also take on more responsibility than I did working for someone else, in that, now I'm responsible for

marketing myself and generating clients or I have no income. My day of massage currently

looks like this: Saturday's starting at 11am and ending around 6pm. I try to book all my sessions in a row. When ,this isn't possible I take a pilates class if I have a break between clients. I have hours available Saturday, Sunday afternoons and then upon

request during the week. I'm only at the studio when an appointment is scheduled.

So looking at just my experience in massage therapy, there are endless variations as to how I

proceed in my career. The great thing is that, as therapist, I get todecide if my

days will all look the same or different. As I make my way through the different possibilities, if I don't like one, there are dozens of other combinations I can try.

Currently I enjoy that massage isn't work but a life style!

Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body. Purpose Generally, massage is known to affect the circulation of blood and the flow of blood and lymph, reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and enhance tissue healing. These effects provide a number of benefits: reduction of muscle tension and stiffness relief of muscle spasms greater flexibility and range of motion increase of the ease and efficiency of movement relief of stress and aide of relaxation promotion of deeper and easier breathing improvement of the circulation of blood and movement of lymph relief of tension-related conditions, such as headaches and eyestrain promotion of faster healing of soft tissue injuries, such as pulled muscles and sprained ligaments, and reduction in pain and swelling related to such injuries reduction in the formation of excessive scar tissue following soft tissue injuries enhancement in the health and nourishment of skin improvement in posture through changing tension patterns that affect posture reduction in stress and an excellent stress management tool creation of a feeling of well-being reduction in levels of anxiety increase in awareness of the mind-body connection promotion of a relaxed state of mental awareness Massage therapy also has a number of documented clinical benefits. For example, massage can reduce anxiety, improve pulmonary function in young asthma patients, reduce psycho-emotional distress in persons suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease, increase weight and improve motor development in premature infants, and may enhance immune system functioning. Some medical conditions that massage therapy can help are: allergies, anxiety and stress, arthritis, asthma and bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries, chronic and temporary pain, circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, tension headache, insomnia, myofascial pain, sports injuries, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Description Origins Massage therapy is one of the oldest health care practices known to history. References to massage are found in Chinese medical texts more than 4,000 years old. Massage has been advocated in Western health care practices at least since the time of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine." In the fourth century B.C. Hippocrates wrote, "The physician must be acquainted with many things and assuredly with rubbing" (the ancient Greek term for massage was rubbing). The roots of modern, scientific massage therapy go back to Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swede, who developed an integrated system consisting of massage and active and passive exercises. Ling established the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute in Sweden in 1813 to teach his methods. Modern, scientific massage therapy was introduced in the United States in the 1850s by two New York physicians, brothers George and Charles Taylor, who had studied in Sweden. The first clinics for massage therapy in the United States were opened by two Swedish physicians after the Civil War period. Doctor Baron Nils Posse operated the Posse Institute in Boston and Doctor Hartwig Nissen opened the Swedish Health Institute near the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Although there were periods when massage fell out of favor, in the 1960s it made a comeback in a different way as a tool for relaxation, communication, and alternative healing. Today, massage is one of the most popular healing modalities. It is used by conventional, as well as alternative, medical communities and is now covered by some health insurance plans. Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of a group of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body. While massage therapy is applied primarily with the hands, sometimes the forearms or elbows are used. These techniques affect the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. The basic philosophy of massage therapy embraces the concept of vis Medicatrix naturae, which is aiding the ability of the body to heal itself, and is aimed at achieving or increasing health and well-being. Touch is the fundamental medium of massage therapy. While massage can be described in terms of the type of techniques performed, touch is not used solely in a mechanistic way in massage therapy. One could look at a diagram or photo of a massage technique that depicts where to place one's hands and what direction the stroke should go, but this would not convey everything that is important for giving a good massage. Massage also has an artistic component. Because massage usually involves applying touch with some degree of pressure and movement, the massage therapist must use touch with sensitivity in order to determine the optimal amount of pressure to use for each person. For example, using too much pressure may cause the body to tense up, while using too little may not have enough effect. Touch used with sensitivity also allows the massage therapist to receive useful information via his or her hands about the client's body, such as locating areas of muscle tension and other soft tissue problems. Because touch is also a form of communication, sensitive touch can convey a sense of caring—an essential element in the therapeutic relationship—to the person receiving massage. In practice, many massage therapists use more than one technique or method in their work and sometimes combine several. Effective massage therapists ascertain each person's needs and then use the techniques that will meet those needs best. Swedish massage uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, generally in the direction of blood flow toward the heart, and sometimes combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used to promote general relaxation, improve circulation and range of motion, and relieve muscle tension. Swedish massage is the most commonly used form of massage. Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction directed across the grain of the muscles. It is applied with greater pressure and to deeper layers of muscle than Swedish, which is why it is called deep tissue and is effective for chronic muscular tension. Sports massage uses techniques that are similar to Swedish and deep tissue, but are specially adapted to deal with the effects of athletic performance on the body and the needs of athletes regarding training, performing, and recovery from injury. Neuromuscular massage is a form of deep massage that is applied to individual muscles. It is used primarily to release trigger points (intense knots of muscle tension that refer pain to other parts of the body), and also to increase blood flow. It is often used to reduce pain. Trigger point massage and myotherapy are similar forms. Acupressure applies finger or thumb pressure to specific points located on the acupuncture meridians (channels of energy flow identified in Asian concepts of anatomy) in order to release blocked energy along these meridians that causes physical discomforts, and re-balance the energy flow. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of acupressure. The cost of massage therapy varies according to geographic location, experience of the massage therapist, and length of the massage. In the United States, the average range is from $35-60 for a one hour session. Massage therapy sessions at a client's home or office may cost more due to travel time for the massage therapist. Most sessions are one hour. Frequency of massage sessions can vary widely. If a person is receiving massage for a specific problem, frequency can vary widely based on the condition, though it usually will be once a week. Some people incorporate massage into their regular personal health and fitness program. They will go for massage on a regular basis, varying from once a week to once a month. The first appointment generally begins with information gathering, such as the reason for getting massage therapy, physical condition and medical history, and other areas. The client is asked to remove clothing to one's level of comfort. Undressing takes place in private, and a sheet or towel is provided for draping. The massage therapist will undrape only the part of the body being massaged. The client's modesty is respected at all times. The massage therapist may use an oil or cream, which will be absorbed into the skin in a short time. To receive the most benefit from a massage, generally the person being massaged should give the therapist accurate health information, report discomfort of any kind (whether it is from the massage itself or due to the room temperature or any other distractions), and be as receptive and open to the process as possible. Insurance coverage for massage therapy varies widely. There tends to be greater coverage in states that license massage therapy. In most cases, a physician's prescription for massage therapy is needed. Once massage therapy is prescribed, authorization from the insurer may be needed if coverage is not clearly spelled out in one's policy or plan. Preparations Going for a massage requires little in the way of preparation. Generally, one should be clean and should not eat just before a massage. One should not be under the influence of alcohol or non-medicinal drugs. Massage therapists generally work by appointment and usually will provide information about how to prepare for an appointment at the time of making the appointment. Precautions Massage is comparatively safe; however it is generally contraindicated, i.e., it should not be used, if a person has one of the following conditions: advanced heart diseases, hypertension (high blood pressure), phlebitis, thrombosis, embolism, kidney failure, cancer if massage would accelerate metastasis (i.e., spread a tumor) or damage tissue that is fragile due to chemotherapy or other treatment, infectious diseases, contagious skin conditions, acute inflammation, infected injuries, unhealed fractures, dislocations, frostbite, large hernias, torn ligaments, conditions prone to hemorrhage, and psychosis. Massage should not be used locally on affected areas (i.e., avoid using massage on the specific areas of the body that are affected by the condition) for the following conditions: rheumatoid arthritis flare up, eczema, goiter, and open skin lesions. Massage may be used on the areas of the body that are not affected by these conditions. In some cases, precautions should be taken before using massage for the following conditions: pregnancy, high fevers, osteoporosis, diabetes, recent postoperative cases in which pain and muscular splinting (i.e., tightening as a protective reaction) would be increased, apprehension, and mental conditions that may impair communication or perception. In such cases, massage may or may not be appropriate. The decision on whether to use massage must be based on whether it may cause harm. For example, if someone has osteoporosis, the concern is whether bones are strong enough to withstand the pressure applied. If one has a health condition and has any hesitation about whether massage therapy would be appropriate, a physician should be consulted. Side effects Massage therapy does not have side effects. Sometimes people are concerned that massage may leave them too relaxed or too mentally unfocused. To the contrary, massage tends to leave people feeling more relaxed and alert. Research and general acceptance Before 1939, more than 600 research studies on massage appeared in the main journals of medicine in English. However, the pace of research was slowed by medicine's disinterest in massage therapy. Massage therapy research picked up again in the 1980s, as the growing popularity of massage paralleled the growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine. Well designed studies have documented the benefits of massage therapy for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, acute and chronic inflammation, chronic lymphedema, nausea, muscle spasm, various soft tissue dysfunctions, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and psycho-emotional stress, which may aggravate mental illness. Premature infants treated with daily massage therapy gain more weight and have shorter hospital stays than infants who are not massaged. A study of 40 low-birth-weight babies found that the 20 massaged babies had a 47% greater weight gain per day and stayed in the hospital an average of six days less than 20 infants who did not receive massage, resulting a cost savings of approximately $3,000 per infant. Cocaine-exposed, preterm infants given massage three times daily for a 10 day period showed significant improvement. Results indicated that massaged infants had fewer postnatal complications and exhibited fewer stress behaviors during the 10 day period, had a 28% greater daily weight gain, and demonstrated more mature motor behaviors. A study comparing 52 hospitalized depressed and adjustment disorder children and adolescents with a control group that viewed relaxation videotapes, found massage therapy subjects were less depressed and anxious, and had lower saliva cortisol levels (an indicator of less depression). Another study showed massage therapy produced relaxation in 18 elderly subjects, demonstrated in measures such as decreased blood pressure and heart rate and increased skin temperature. A combination of massage techniques for 52 subjects with traumatically induced spinal pain led to significant improvements in acute and chronic pain and increased muscle flexibility and tone. This study also found massage therapy to be extremely cost effective, with cost savings ranging from 15-50%. Massage has also been shown to stimulate the body's ability to naturally control pain by stimulating the brain to produce endorphins. Fibromyalgia is an example of a condition that may be favorably affected by this effect. A pilot study of five subjects with symptoms of tension and anxiety found a significant response to massage therapy in one or more psycho-physiological parameters of heart rate, frontalis and forearm extensor electromyograms (EMGs) and skin resistance, which demonstrate relaxation of muscle tension and reduced anxiety. Lymph drainage massage has been shown to be more effective than mechanized methods or diuretic drugs to control lymphedema secondary to radical mastectomy, consequently using massage to control lymphedema would significantly lower treatment costs. A study found that massage therapy can have a powerful effect upon psycho-emotional distress in persons suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Massage therapy was effective in reducing the frequency of episodes of pain and disability in these patients. Massage may enhance the immune system. A study suggests an increase in cytotoxic capacity associated with massage. A study of chronic fatigue syndrome subjects found that a group receiving massage therapy had lower depression, emotional distress, and somatic symptom scores, more hours of sleep, and lower epinephrine and cortisol levels than a control group. Resources Organizations American Massage Therapy Association. 820 Davis Street, Suite 100, Evanston, IL. http://www.amtamassage.org. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved. therapy /ther·a·py/ (-pe) the treatment of disease; see also treatment. ablation therapy  the destruction of small areas of myocardial tissue, usually by application of electrical or chemical energy, in the treatment of some tachyarrhythmias. adjuvant therapy  the use of chemotherapy or radiotherapy in addition to surgical resection in the treatment of cancer. antiplatelet therapy  the use of platelet-modifying agents to inhibit platelet adhesion or aggregation and so prevent thrombosis, alter the course of atherosclerosis, or prolong vascular graft patency. art therapy  the use of art, the creative process, and patient response to the products created for the treatment of psychiatric and psychologic conditions and for rehabilitation. aversion therapy , aversive therapy that using aversive conditioning to reduce or eliminate undesirable behavior or symptoms; sometimes used synonymously with aversive conditioning. behavior therapy  a therapeutic approach that focuses on modifying the patient's observable behavior, rather than on the conflicts and unconscious processes presumed to underlie the behavior. biological therapy  treatment of disease by injection of substances that produce a biological reaction in the organism. chelation therapy  the use of a chelating agent to remove toxic metals from the body, used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning. In complementary medicine, also used for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other disorders. cognitive therapy , cognitive-behavioral therapy that based on the theory that emotional problems result from distorted attitudes and ways of thinking that can be corrected, the therapist guiding the patient to do so. convulsive therapy  treatment of mental disorders, primarily depression, by induction of convulsions; now it is virtually always by electric shock (electroconvulsive t.) . couples therapy  marital t. dance therapy  the therapeutic use of movement to further the emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual in the treatment of a variety of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical disorders. electroconvulsive therapy  (ECT) a treatment for mental disorders, primarily depression, in which convulsions and loss of consciousness are induced by application of brief pulses of low-voltage alternating current to the brain via scalp electrodes. electroshock therapy  (EST) electroconvulsive t. endocrine therapy  treatment of disease by the use of hormones. estrogen replacement therapy  administration of an estrogen to treat estrogen deficiency, as that following menopause; in women with a uterus, a progestational agent is usually included to prevent endometrial hyperplasia. enzyme therapy  in complementary medicine, the oral administration of proteolytic enzymes to improve immune system function; used for a wide variety of disorders and as adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment. family therapy  group therapy of the members of a family, exploring and improving family relationships and processes and thus the mental health of the collective unit and of individual members. fibrinolytic therapy  the use of fibrinolytic agents (e.g., prourokinase) to lyse thrombi in patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusion, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or acute myocardial infarction. gene therapy  manipulation of the genome of an individual to prevent, mask, or lessen the effects of a genetic disorder. group therapy  psychotherapy carried out regularly with a group of patients under the guidance of a group leader, usually a therapist. highly active antiretroviral therapy  (HAART) the aggressive use of extremely potent antiretroviral agents in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection. hormonal therapy , hormone therapy endocrine t. hormone replacement therapy  the administration of hormones to correct a deficiency, such as postmenopausal estrogen replacement ttherapy. immunosuppressive therapy  treatment with agents, such as x-rays, corticosteroids, or cytotoxic chemicals, that suppress the immune response to antigen(s); used in conditions such as organ transplantation, autoimmune disease, allergy, multiple myeloma, and chronic nephritis. inhalation therapy  former name for respiratory care (2). light therapy  1. phototherapy (def. 1). 2. photodynamic t. marital therapy  a type of family therapy aimed at understanding and treating one or both members of a couple in the context of a distressed relationship, but not necessarily addressing the discordant relationship itself; sometimes used more restrictively as a synonym of marriage therapy . marriage therapy  a subset of marital therapy (q.v.) that focuses specifically on the bond of marriage between two people, enhancing and preserving it. massage therapy  the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing them, thereby enhancing health and healing. milieu therapy  treatment, usually in a psychiatric hospital, that emphasizes the provision of an environment and activities appropriate to the patient's emotional and interpersonal needs. music therapy  the use of music to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems. occupational therapy  the therapeutic use of self-care, work, and play activities to increase function, enhance development, and prevent disabilities. oral rehydration therapy  (ORT) oral administration of a solution of electrolytes and carbohydrates in the treatment of dehydration. orthomolecular therapy  treatment of disease based on the theory that restoration of optimal concentrations of substances normally present in the body, such as vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids, will effect a cure. photodynamic therapy  intravenous administration of hematoporphyrin derivative, which concentrates selectively in metabolically active tumor tissue, followed by exposure of the tumor tissue to red laser light to produce cytotoxic free radicals that destroy hematoporphyrin-containing tissue. physical therapy  1. treatment by physical means. 2. the health profession concerned with the promotion of health, the prevention of disability, and the evaluation and rehabilitation of patients disabled by pain, disease, or injury, and with treatment by physical therapeutic measures as opposed to medical, surgical, or radiologic measures. poetry therapy  a form of bibliotherapy in which a selected poem, which may be created by the patient, is used to evoke feelings and responses for discussion in a therapeutic setting. PUVA therapy  a form of photochemotherapy for skin disorders such as psoriasis and vitiligo; oral psoralen administration is followed two hours later by exposure to ultraviolet light. radiation therapy  radiotherapy. relaxation therapy  any of a number of techniques for inducing the relaxation response, used for the reduction of stress; useful in the management of a wide variety of chronic illnesses caused or exacerbated by stress. replacement therapy  1. treatment to replace deficiencies in body products by administration of natural or synthetic substitutes. 2. treatment that replaces or compensates for a nonfunctioning organ, e.g., hemodialysis. respiratory therapy  see under care. substitution therapy  the administration of a hormone to compensate for glandular deficiency. thrombolytic therapy  fibrinolytic t. thyroid replacement therapy  treatment with a preparation of a thyroid hormone. Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. massage therapy n. The systematic application of massage to treat muscle pain or dysfunction. The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. massage therapy, the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing them, thereby enhancing health and healing. Massage therapy includes a number of methods, such as acupressure, classical Western massage, and shiatsu. Mosby's Medical Dictionary, 8th edition. © 2009, Elsevier. massage systematic therapeutic stroking or kneading of the body or part. acupressure massage massage therapy based on the Chinese meridian theory in which pressure is applied to acupuncture points to keep energy channels open. cardiac massage intermittent compression of the heart by pressure applied through the chest wall (closed cardiac massage) or directly to the heart through an opening in the chest wall (open cardiac massage). See also cardiac massage. cold massage uses ice to massage to skin. Vasoconstriction and delayed nerve conduction in deep tissues raises the pain threshold. friction massage applied across the direction of underlying fibers to promote blood flow and prevent adhesions. genitalic massage of the seminal vesicles in bulls or the penis in male dogs for the purpose of collecting semen, of the clitoris in cows and goat does for the collection of urine. massage therapy a technique of physical therapy in which hands and body are used to massage soft tissues. Its objective is to improve circulation and muscle function, release scar tissue and produce relaxation. trigger massage massage techniques are centered on areas of maximal tenderness in muscle tissue, detectable as taut bands. Called also myotherapy. vibratory massage massage by rapidly repeated light percussion with a vibrating hammer or sound. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 3 ed. © 2007 Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved massage therapy Alternative medicine Any of a number of techniques in which the body surface and musculoskeletal system are therapeutically stroked, kneaded, pounded, and yanked; MT has a time-honored history in medicine that stretches back to ancient Greece; massages are intended to relax the body-and mind, mobilize stiff joints, ↑ flow of blood and lymph, ↓ muscular tension and chronic pain, ↓ swelling and inflammation and ↓ tension and stress; MT is believed to integrate the mind and body, improve skin tone, ↑ energy flow through the nervous system, wastes through the GI tract, and enhance body systems. See Contemporary Western massage, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, Swedish/Esalen massage, Traditional European massage. Cf Acupressure, Massage parlor, Reflexology. McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. mas·sage the·ra·py (mă-sahzh' thār'ă-pē) A collection of bodywork modalities designed to improve health through manual manipulation of soft tissues including stroking, kneading, pressing, tapping, and shaking. Intends to improve local circulation, reduce pain, and promote relaxation. See also: Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, seated massage, reflexology, manual lymph drainage, craniosacral therapy, polarity therapy, shiatsu, acupressure, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation, Reiki, bodywork Synonym(s): massotherapy, myotherapy. Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012 Patient discussion about massage therapy. Q. Does massage help............ Does massage help people with chronic pain, too? A. There are many pains and they need different cures. Acupressure (and acupuncture), massage, music therapy, aroma therapy, and so on. This is not black magic, you can try it and maybe one of these cures help you. Acupressure help me always to disappear my headache. There are invisible lines and points on our body and if you massage them then the sensation will change (that is the pain will vanish). Q. Can massage really help her? My cousin sister who is with fibromyalgia also feels some pain. Can massage really help her? A. Not only the person with fibromyalgia but anyone can benefit from the massage. If you're a newbie and have not had much bodywork, start slowly. Having someone stroke your "sore" spots may feel a bit "ouchy," but that type of touch therapy may be quite beneficial in the long run. Have your therapist go as slowly as you need. You can build up to deeper applications by spreading out your experience over many appointments. Special note: Whether you're the patient or the caregiver of a chronically ill person, life's stress can increase to unbearable limits and can cause great mind/body/spirit imbalances. By relaxing your mind and body, massage helps to raise your health and vitality closer to a state of wellness. Perhaps, you will feel better than you could possibly imagine. Start gradually, book weekly, bi-weekly or monthly appointments. Consider keeping a record of your progress. Few doctors would advise you not to try massage therapy, but to be safe, it's a good idea Q. I like to know the types of massages.. I like to know the types of massages for the people who suffer from fibromyalgia or with chronic illness. A. Types of Massage, especially for people with Fibromyalgia and/or those who suffer with chronic illness: `Myofascial release': Many times "regular" massage therapists can perform elementary myofascial release holds and moves, but the more specifically trained professionals in myofascial release therapy have received extended education and use stylized techniques and tools. They apply the type, degree and specific techniques that are best suited for each person's need. Myofascial Release therapy can be effective particularly for individuals with trigger or tender points and for those whose muscles tend to be knotty. `Swedish massage `: Any massage therapist should be able to do this kind of work. This technique is gentle, but done with enough applied pressure to comfortably work on sore spots. Read more or ask a question about massage therapy This content is provided by iMedix and is subject to iMedix Terms. 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