Etymologically speaking, massage therapy means “the healing massage”. This ancestral therapeutic technique existing for thousands of years was already used by our ancestors in many other cultures and civilizations and includes a great diversity of manual techniques. Despite differences in philosophy and types of manipulation, these techniques share several points in common. Thus, the main objectives of the massage therapy are to promote relaxation (muscular and nervous), blood and lymphatic circulation, the assimilation and digestion of food, the elimination of toxins, the proper functioning of vital organs and awakening to a conscience psycho-body.

As we know it today, massage therapy has simply been perfected, refined, and modernized so that touch becomes a more structured approach. Finally, the opinion of specialists in this therapeutic technique.

Massage therapy is suitable for most people, from toddlers to the elderly. Its effects, which can be soothing or energizing, may decrease nervous excitability, relieve stress-related ailments (including back pain, migraine, exhaustion and insomnia), increase blood and lymph circulation, and cause a state of general well-being. It also has other therapeutic applications which we will describe below.

Massage therapy after pregnancy

Massage therapy is widely used in pregnancy, since it reduces the risk of injury to the perineum during childbirth as well as postpartum discomfort and discomfort, rebalance the body, reduce tensions muscles, to help the woman to reclaim her body gently, and also to relax and tone the parts that have been strained and tired by the overload.

From a psychological point of view, massage therapy promotes better moral recovery, and helps prevent the symptoms of baby blues, but also to reduce stress and fatigue thanks to its relaxing effects.

Massage therapy to relax

The beneficial effects of massage therapy on anxiety have been observed in numerous studies: thanks to its relaxing properties, massage therapy makes it possible to better manage anxiety-provoking situations and events in everyday life.

Relieve back pain and muscle pain

Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of massage therapy in the treatment of acute or chronic nonspecific lower back pain, particularly when the massage is performed by accredited therapists and combined with exercise and education programs.

Massage therapy helps relieve lower back pain by stretching the pelvis, legs and lumbar region, which will generate a feeling of well-being and muscle relaxation.

Sometimes some back problems are due to a problematic abdominal musculature, in these cases, massages in the abdomen may be beneficial.

Improve the quality of life of people with cancer.

Several studies have concluded that massage therapy has significant benefits, especially in the short term, in people with cancer. Indeed, massage therapy improves the degree of relaxation, mood and the quality of sleep of the patient. It also helps reduce fatigue, anxiety, nausea and pain in patients, which helps improve the response of the immune system. In addition, another clinical trial showed that massage therapy greatly improved the mood of women caring for their partners with cancer, in addition to significantly reducing perceived stress.

Improve the growth of children born prematurely

Various positive effects of massage in premature newborns are reported in the scientific literature. For example, it could influence weight gain and promote performance in developmental tasks, bone formation when combined with physical activity and visual acuity. It would also decrease the time of hospitalization, the level of stress during the hospitalization and would improve the neurological development measured at 2 years.

However, most of these findings are based on clinical trials involving small sample sizes and often with methodological flaws. This is why it is not possible, for the moment, to comment on the effectiveness and the relevance of the massage.

Contribute to the treatment of constipation.

One study showed that abdominal massage sessions could reduce the severity of certain gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and abdominal pain, and also increase the number of bowel movements.

Contribute to the treatment of fibromyalgia

Some research has found significant positive effects on fibromyalgia symptoms, such as reduced depression, pain, and pain reliever use, improved mobility, sleep, and quality of sleep. life as well as a decrease in the feeling of helplessness. But, some studies have noted that most of these effects do not last long term and massage can be very painful under these conditions. However, in the long run, it could lead to a reduction in the general pain which would compensate for this inconvenience.

Contribute to the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A few trials have shown some positive effects of massage on ADHD, such as a decrease in the degree of hyperactivity, an increase in the time spent on the task as well as an improvement in mood, behavior in class and feelings of well-being.

Massage therapy is mainly practiced using the fingers and hands, but also with the feet, elbows and even knees. Depending on the technique used, the maneuvers can be applied to the whole body or to a single part. We can focus mainly on the skin and muscles or go more in depth to the tendons, ligaments and fascia or target specific points located along the acupuncture meridians. Although we can easily list over 100 different massage and bodywork techniques 1, they can be grouped into 5 main categories.

• The European tradition of physiotherapy, based on the principles of Western anatomy and physiology and the manipulation of soft tissues, including Swedish massage, is the classic method.
• The modern North American tradition, also based on the principles of Western anatomy and physiology, but which incorporates a psycho-body dimension to traditional concepts. These include Californian massage, Esalen massage, Neo-Reichian massage and neuromuscular massage.
• Postural techniques, aimed at reshaping the body structure by re-educating posture and movement, such as postural integration, Rolfing, Trager and Hellerwork. While sharing some commonalities with these techniques, somatic education approaches, such as the Feldenkrais Method and the Alexander Technique, are not considered forms of massage therapy.
• Oriental techniques, based among other things on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as Tui na massage, acupressure, shiatsu, reflexology and Jin Shin Do.
• Energy therapies, inspired by ancient healing practices using the laying on of hands, such as therapeutic touch, Reiki and polarity.

Massage therapy covers a wide variety of techniques, which is why the course of the sessions varies considerably. In fact, depending on the technique used, the massage can be carried out on a naked or dressed person, in a lying or sitting position, with or without oil. It can be carried out on several types of supports: massage table, futon placed on the floor, ergonomic chair. As for the places of massages, they are also very diverse: centers, groups of therapists, at home, at work, in private practice … The environment and the context (comfort of the room, massage equipment, light, noise ) are very important and have a great influence on the smooth running of the massage.

At the start of the session, the massage therapist talks to the person who consults him in order to assess his needs and desires, and to choose with him the type of massage to provide. During the massage therapy session, the masseur performs various gestures depending on the practice used on the body of the massage recipient. During the sessions, massage products can also be used such as massage oil, essential oils, creams, etc. in order to complete the effectiveness of the gesture and provide certain additional virtues.

Traditionally, the classic massage is given for one hour, but the sessions can vary from 20 min to 2 hours depending on the type of massage and the individual’s problem. For example, the seated amma massage adapted to the business world, can induce deep relaxation in just 20 minutes while some African massage techniques or even Shiatsu, may require sessions lasting from 1h30 to 2h.

There are some rare contraindications to massage therapy, especially in cases of inflammatory process, fever, fractures, recent wounds or bruises. In addition, since massage increases blood pressure and lowers heart rate, it should be preceded and followed by an evaluation of these parameters when performed on patients sensitive to these changes. In the event of circulatory disorders (phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins), cardiac disorders (arteriosclerosis, hypertension, etc.) and diabetes, medical advice should be obtained.

In practically all European countries, training in physiotherapy is spread over 3 or 4 years. It is even possible to follow a university course going up to a master’s and a doctorate, as is the case in Belgium. From one end of Europe to the other, the standards applying to the training and practice of masso-physiotherapy are, however, very disparate. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy, an international organization of more than 100 professional associations specializing in body therapy, works to standardize curriculum and practice internationally.

Texts and illustrations have shown that massage is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is 4 years old, as well as Ayurvedic medicine from India. Manual healing techniques have also been used in Egypt and Africa for over 000 years.

In the West, the practice dates from the Greco-Roman period. Among the Greeks, passionate about beauty and physical education, massage was part of popular culture. It was customary, in gymnasiums and palestra, to follow a bath of good friction with oils. Hippocrates (460-377 BC), the “father” of Western medicine, used it as a method of treatment.

On the other hand, among the Romans, massage had no therapeutic connotation. It was practiced in public places (rest rooms, gymnasiums, massage workshops), later transformed into places of debauchery, which contributed to the bad reputation of massage and its banning by the clergy. It was at the end of the Renaissance that some doctors reintroduced this practice.

Since Harvey’s discovery of blood circulation in the 1960th century, massage therapy has gradually become part of health care. Beginning in the XNUMXs, after a few decades of dominance of technology and pharmacology in modern medicine, there was a renaissance of more holistic medicine, including massage and bodywork techniques.

Currently, massage therapy is regulated in 3 Canadian provinces (Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador) and in around XNUMX American states. In Europe, the professions of physiotherapist and physiotherapist are recognized. In Germany, the practice is covered by the health insurance scheme. In China, it is fully integrated into the health care system.