Frequently Asked Questions
Columbus Polarity Center for Integrative Health & Wellness, Columbus Ohio
Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the "father of medicine," referenced massage when he wrote, in the 4th century B.C.: "The physician must be acquainted with many things, and assuredly with rubbing."
Massage is one of the simplest forms of therapy and is a system of stroking, pressing and kneading different areas of the body to relieve pain, relax, stimulate, and tone the body. Massage does much more than create a pleasant sensation on the skin, it also works on the soft tissues (the muscles, tendons, and ligaments) to improve muscle tone. Although it largely affects those muscles just under the skin, its benefits may also reach the deeper layers of muscle and possibly even the organs themselves. Massage also stimulates blood circulation and assists the lymphatic system, which runs parallel to the circulatory system, improving the elimination of waste throughout the body.
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What are the benefits of massage therapy?back to questions
There are tremendous benefits to be achieved through regular massage therapy sessions from a Licensed Massage Therapist. Whether your need is to have a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or attain relief from chronic pain, a therapeutic massage can enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical well-being as well as your quality of life. While massage therapy benefits the injured, the ill and the stressed, the strength of massage therapy is preventing illness and conditions before they develop. Overlooked in the past, today?s massage therapy can be used in the treatment of both acute and chronic stages of conditions.
If you suffer from any of the following disorders, you may benefit from therapeutic massage:
- Any chronic muscle or joint pain
- A known condition of referred pain such as when your neck gets tense from a headache
- Any recurring symptoms that seem to accompany or are precipitated by muscle tightness
- Tight muscles that are limiting the mobility of a joint
- Chronically fatigued muscles
- Low energy level, especially when accompanied by muscle aches and pains
- A recent muscle injury that generates pain or dysfunction in an area not seemingly involved in the injury
- Any visceral dysfunction that texts negative for conventional cause
- Muscle pain that recurs in an area with no apparent new cause
- A tendency for pain to spread to other muscles whenever a simple strain or injury occurs
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage, an ancient treatment described as early as 3,000 B.C., had taken a back seat to pharmaceuticals and other modes of care. But that?s all changed as scientific studies suggest massage therapy can relieve stress and pain, enhance immune function, banish anxiety and speed athletes? recovery.
- Relaxes your body and mind, plus proven to be the most wonderful preventive natural medicine in the world
- Increases circulation
- Releases toxins in the body
- Stimulates the flow of the lymph, your body?s natural defense system
- Releases endorphins ? your body?s natural pain killer
- Increases range-of-motion
- Relieves pain for migraines suffers ? decreases need of medication
- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles
- Reduces spasms and cramping
- Provides stretching and exercise to atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range-of-motion
- Assists in shorter labor for expected mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety
Regular massage sessions will bring the most benefits. They can have the effect of strengthening and toning the entire body mechanism, and so help to prevent unnecessary strains and injuries that might otherwise occur due to excess tension and any resulting structural weaknesses. Massage can stimulate or calm the nervous system -- depending upon what is required by the individual-and thus help reduce fatigue, leaving the receiver with a feeling of replenished energy. At its best, massage has the potential to restore the individual physically, mentally and spiritually.
Learn more about our massage therapy services.
