When posing the question, “What is massage?,” it is common to hear the following replies: “Massage is such a luxury.” “Ah, massage, it is so relaxing.” “Massage is something I treat myself to on special occasions.” While all of these statements capture the idea of massage as a way to relax and to treat ourselves, none come close to touching on the essence of massage and its therapeutic benefits to body, mind and spirit.

   Massage is a manual therapy that manipulates the soft tissues and decreases muscle tension, pain, stress and depression. It increases circulation, enhances the immune system and promotes nervous system functioning. In essence, massage makes you feel and perform better. Its many healing benefits are important in our high-tech world because of our basic human need to be nurtured through touch. Touching and being touched is instinctual. For example, an injured animal will tend its wounds by licking or rubbing, a mother will comfort her crying child by stroking its head and patting its back, and a person with a toothache will rub and press the painful area to relieve congestion and pain.

  The simple act of placing the hands on the body can itself encourage a person to thrive. Many studies have illustrated that without physical touch babies (human or animal) will not thrive and may not even survive. A landmark study conducted on rhesus monkeys by Harry Harlow in the 1950s noted that monkeys separated from their mothers soon after birth showed a greater need for tactile comfort than for eating. Since then, many studies have illustrated how touch and massage can assist infants, especially babies born prematurely, to survive, gain weight and thrive. It has also been shown that the caregivers who massaged the infants benefitted as well. For example, mothers who regularly have a great deal of physical closeness with their babies experience postpartum depression to a far lesser degree, and elderly caregivers feel a decrease in stress, anxiety and depression.

  Research institutes, including the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami in Florida, have also conducted many studies concerning touch and massage. Massage has been found to reduce blood pressure, relieve pain and muscle tension and improve mood, intellectual reasoning and job performance. It has also been found to have a positive effect on conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, diabetes and migraine headaches.

  Today there are a myriad of bodywork modalities including Swedish massage, trigger point therapy, connective tissue release, myofascial release, shiatsu and reflexology, to name just a few. Depending on the techniques used, massage can stimulate the nervous system to help reduce muscle atrophy, increase muscle tone and stimulate the functions of the skin or an organ deep inside the body. Regular massage boosts the functioning of the immune system and maintains health. Massage can sedate the nervous system to help ease muscle tension, spasticity, stress-related symptoms and headaches. Friction massage techniques can stimulate sluggish circulation or slow down the circulation of someone who has just run a marathon. Simple joint movements and joint stretching allow better range of motion and support the connective tissue and muscles in becoming strong and healthy.

  Several types of massage practitioners exist in Ohio, and it is important to know the qualifications of anyone who performs your massage. A licensed massage therapist (LMT) has at least 600 hours of classroom training in basic anatomy and physiology, advanced pathophysiology, massage theory and hands-on practice in a clinical setting. A license is granted after passing a board examination administered by the State of Ohio Medical Board.

  Therapeutic massage is designed to treat a specific condition, and an LMT is trained to assist with soft tissue injuries and dysfunctions, as well as support general recovery. Extensive training enables the therapist to take a thorough history, identify contraindications (reasons to not massage) and make referrals to and receive referrals from other health professionals such as physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors and dentists. A healthcare provider can write a prescription for massage therapy and the therapist who fills the prescription may be able to bill insurance groups and workers’ compensation for the therapy services.

  Two other categories of massage practitioners exist in Ohio: massage technicians (MT) and ethical massage practitioners (EMP). Usually regulated by local and county municipalities, they have between 100 and 160 hours of training that allows them to perform a “spa style” massage for relaxation purposes. The fees charged by licensed therapists and non-licensed practitioners are comparable. If you have no health issues, want a basic massage and do not anticipate needing any therapeutic work, obtaining the services of these practitioners is an option. However, if a therapeutic need crops up during a session, a referral should be made to a licensed therapist.

  To feel better, relieve any discomfort, decrease stress levels, feel more relaxed and have a body that functions more efficiently, schedule regular appointments with your favorite massage therapist. Massage is not just for the rich, nor is it a treat reserved just for a special occasion. With the growing research base and the recognition of the benefits of massage in the healthcare arena, massage is a “kneaded” component of your wellness regimen.

  See the Directory on page 40 of Balanced Living Magazine to find a massotherapist in your area.

Karen Ellen Fink, RN, BSN, LMT has a practice that includes on-site massage at individual residences, hospitals, assisted living settings and corporations using a holistic focus that includes energy modalities, visualizations, breath and intention to assist her clients with stress reduction, relaxation and healing. She is also the massage therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Center for Integrative Medicine Clinical Practice in Broadview Heights. As an instructor at The National Institute of Massotherapy in the Garfield and Akron areas, she teaches Massage and Anatomy. She is also the State Representative of Ohio for the National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists and provides continuing education for nurses. For more information, contact her at kneadedfingers@aol.com, finkk@ccf.org or call (216) 470-5925.