Most people think solely of the relaxing effects of massage brought about by the comforting touch of someone’s hands. However, the importance of Massage Therapy (RMT) is growing constantly as more and more people realize its potential about a far wider range of health and physical ailments.
WHY UNDERGO MASSAGE THERAPY (RMT)?
Massage therapy (RMT) has been given to assist in recuperation therapy and in dealing with chronic situations. It also helps to reduce acute or chronic pain, and stress and is used to lessen muscular tension and increase joint mobility, while also improving circulation and lymphatic drainage. The result is improved physical and emotional well-being.
The list of conditions and illnesses which massage therapy can help treat covers a wide spectrum, from anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions, through fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue to scoliosis, headaches, asthma, and emphysema.
Then there are the acute conditions like back and neck pain, fractures and dislocations, strains and sports injuries, pregnancy support, and rehabilitation after surgery. Practitioners also claim it to be a valuable tool in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Types and techniques of massage therapy
Covering such a wide range of conditions, it is not shocking that there are more than 80 different styles of massage therapy available. All include rubbing and pressing, as a way of manipulating muscles and soft tissues.
Therapists use only their fingers and hands but may choose to focus on certain areas with their elbows, forearms depending on whether they are doing a light or deep tissue massage.
Therapists are able to develop personal programs both for therapeutic treatment and for preventative care, which is particularly relevant when it comes to sports training, and for stress management.
How to choose a therapist (RMT)
Good therapeutic massage is not something just everyone can do. This therapy can produce good results when done by the right qualified and registered massage therapist, but full benefits will not be realized if you put your health and well-being, literally, into the wrong hands.
In selecting a therapist, take into account the following guidelines and look for:
- Qualifications and registration: A RMT with a qualification from a recognized college is likely to have undergone training over a longer period and so assimilated a wider understanding of physiology, kinesiology, pathology, and anatomy.
- Specialties: It makes sense to pick a therapist whose specialization is in treatment that’s appropriate to your situation.
- Reviews and referrals: Speak to neighbors and friends. Experience is the best critic, and a first-hand opinion concerning a particular massage therapist will help you select the right one for you. Guidance can also be gained from on-line reviews.
- Pick a comfort zone: Most massage therapy involves on-going treatment on a daily basis so it is essential you choose a therapist you feel you can believe, and who makes you feel relaxed.
As they become more popular, massage therapists are increasingly setting up practices in offices and hotels, gyms and sports clubs, as well as at health clinics and spas.
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