History doesn’t tell us who gave the first massage or why. But what is known is that massage is an ancient art that dates back to the dawn of civilization. The name is derived from the Greek word meaning “to work with the hands, as in kneading dough,” and in 400 B.C., Hippocrates wrote, “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing.”
In the ensuing 2,400 years, medicine has experienced millions of advances and physicians no longer rely solely on the “laying on of hands” to heal their patients. At the same time, massage has come a long way, too. Practitioners of this widely-accepted modality in the domain of alternative and traditional medicine are no longer called masseuses or masseurs, but therapists with extensive training.
Massage is respectable, but is it therapeutic? An estimated 25 million Americans visit about 90,000 practitioners 60 million times a year. Many feel better — but are they actually healthier?
The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” says Laurel massage therapist William Andrews, who treats clients at South Central Regional Medical Center’s Wellness Center and a number of area salons. Practitioners such as Andrews define massage as the manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissues to reduce discomfort and stress and promote wellness and health. It’s a broad definition, and it covers at least 80 different systems of massage.
Swedish massage, one of Andrews’ specialties, remains the most widely used methods in the United States. The typical Swedish massage includes a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize the client. Swedish massage is performed with the client lying on a special table, either disrobed or wearing undergarments. The therapist will generally ask if the client wishes to leave some parts of his body untouched: if so, those areas of the body are covered with a towel or sheet at all times.
Swedish massage uses five different techniques. Effleurage (stroking) can be gentle or forceful. Petrissage (kneading) uses the fingers and thumbs to exert pressure in a circular pattern. Friction is more vigorous, with the therapist using his palm, the heel of his hand, or even his forearm or elbow to apply force. Tapotement is a rhythmic percussive slapping or tapping motion designed to stimulate deep tissues. Vibration is the rapid trembling motion of both hands that is intended to facilitate relaxation.
Massage therapists have a variety of backgrounds. Many are trained according to standards set by the American Massage Therapy Association. Andrews received his training at the Healing Touch School of Massage Therapy in Hattiesburg, where he underwent one and one-half years undergoing hands-on training and education before becoming certified.
In Mississippi, a growing number of massage therapists work in hospitals, massaging infants suffering from a variety of illnesses, including side effects of premature birth, as well as older patients with pain as a result of illness. Andrews said his clients have been as young as nine and have extended up to those in their mid-nineties. For legal reasons, he will not perform a massage on anyone under the age of 13 without the consent and company of an adult.
In addition to Swedish, many other types of massage are available, each with its own goals and claims, said Andrews. In addition to Swedish, he is trained in prenatal, sports and deep-tissue massage.
Medical professionals believe that massage strengthens the body, enabling injured tissues to return to normal and heal themselves. Many theories explain how massage might accomplish these goals. They include an improvement of the circulation, the removal of toxins, stress reduction, better sleep, and benefits for the metabolism and the immune system. The most passionate advocates assert that massage can help improve the function of nearly any part of the body.
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