Vermont Massage and Wellness

67 Pearl Street
Burlington, VT

802 / 233-4070      info@vermontmassageandwellness.com

  Specializing in Massage Therapy and Healthy Living in Burlington, VT

 Benefits of Massage Therapy
 

The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Massage Therapy
as stated in Clinical Massage Therapy by Fiona Rattray and Linda Ludwig.

· Relax Tense Muscles
· Increase Immune System Functioning
· Reduce and Manage Pain
· Increase Flexibility
· Increase Circulation
   and decrease toxin buildup
· Reduce Stress Levels, Anxiety, and Depression
· Induce a General Sense of  Relaxation
   and Well Being
 

 Reduced muscle tension, stiffness, spasms
 Massage loosens contracted, shortened, hardened (tension) muscles increasing the
 circulation of the blood. Massage can also stimulate weak, flaccid muscles, and relieve
 tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
 Promotes Healing
 Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain
 and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
 Relief of acute and chronic pain.
 Massage can promote recovery from the fatigue and from minor aches and pains
 by removing impurities and reducing inflammation in the area.
 Increased mobility and range of motion of joints.
 Massage provides a stretching action to both the muscles and connective tissues that
 surround and support the muscles and many other parts of the body, which helps
 keep these tissues elastic and  improves range of motion (reduces chance of
 further injury).
 Improved blood circulation.
 The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after massage. By indirectly
 or directly stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels of these
 organs dilate and allow greater blood supply to them. Massage also increases the
 movement of lymph. Since lymph contains impurities and waste toxins, the
 movement can increase health.
 Stimulated or soothed nervous system.
 Massage balances the nervous system by soothing or stimulating it, depending on
 which effect is needed.
 Enhanced skin condition.
 Massage enhances the skin condition by improving the function of the sebaceous
 and sweat glands, keeping the skin lubricated, clean, and cool.
 Better digestion and intestinal function.
 Massage increases the body's production of gastric juices, saliva, and urine and
 increases excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus & salt. As a result, the
 metabolic rate increases.
 Better Quality of Life.
 Massage increases endorphins, which can increase your sense of well being.
 Also reduced stress, cortisol levels, anxiety, tension, depression, pain.

What Massage Cannot Do

No evidence has been found to support claims that massage can increase muscle tone or directly increase muscle strength or bulk. Massage will also not directly decrease the amount of "cellulite"  or adipose tissue. Further, with a permanent nerve lesion, massage will not prevent muscular atrophy in the denervated tissue. ( Rattray and Ludwig., p.16  2000)

 Finding a qualified Massage Therapist

Your massage, bodywork, or somatic therapy services should be provided by a professional who has received proper training. Don ’t hesitate to ask practitioners about their background, training, and experience. Referrals from friends can usually be relied upon. Members of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals have met stringent requirements regarding training and must adhere to a strict code of ethics in order to remain members. ABMP offers a referral service to the public and will provide you with a list of practitioners in your area. For information, call 800/458-2267, or visit their website at www.massagetherapy.com.

A Brief History of Massage Therapy

Massage may be the oldest and simplest form of medical care dating back thousands of years. Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged  In Eastern cultures, massage has been practiced continually since ancient times. A Chinese book from 2,700 B.C. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine, recommends 'breathing exercises, massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands and feet" as the appropriate treatment for -complete paralysis, chills, and fever."

Massage was one of the principal methods used for relieving pain by Greek and Roman physicians. Julius Caesar was said to have been given a daily massage to treat neuralgia. The traditional Indian system of medicine places great emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of massage with aromatic oils and spices. It is still practiced very widely in India.

Swedish massage, the method most familiar to Westerners, was developed in the 19th century by a Swedish doctor, poet, and educator named Per Henrik Ling. His system was based on a study of gymnastics and physiology, and on techniques borrowed from China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Originally based on Ling's methods, physiotherapy was established with the foundationin 1894 of the Society of Trained Masseurs. During World War I patients suffering fromnerve  injury or shell shock were treated with massage. Breakthroughs in medical technology and pharmacology eclipsed massage as physiotherapists began increasingly to favor electrical instruments over manual methods of stimulating the tissues. A variety of massage techniques have also been incorporated into several other complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, Rolfing, Hellerwork, and Osteopathy.

Common symptoms
 and conditions
 clinical massage therapy
often addresses: