Therapeutic Massage
Massage therapy is the practice of using touch
to manipulate the soft-tissue muscles of the
body. It is performed for a variety of reasons,
including treating painful ailments,
decompressing tired and overworked muscles,
reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries,
and promoting general health. Clients often seek
massage for its medical benefit and for
relaxation purposes, and there is a wide range
of massage treatments available.
Massage therapists can specialize in
more than 80 different types of massage, called
modalities. Swedish massage, deep-tissue
massage, reflexology, acupressure, sports
massage, and neuromuscular massage are just a
few of the many approaches to massage therapy.
Most massage therapists specialize in several
modalities, which require different techniques.
Some use exaggerated strokes ranging the length
of a body part, while others use quick,
percussion-like strokes with a cupped or closed
hand. A massage can be as long as 2 hours or as
short as 5 or 10 minutes. Usually, the type of
massage given depends on the client's needs and
physical condition. For example, therapists may
use special techniques for elderly clients that
they would not use for athletes, and they would
use approaches for clients with injuries that
would not be appropriate for clients seeking
relaxation. Also, some forms of massage are
given solely to one type of client; for example,
prenatal massage and infant massage are given to
pregnant women and new mothers, respectively.
Massage therapists work by appointment.
Before beginning a massage therapy session,
therapists conduct an informal interview with
the client to learn the person's medical history
and desired results from the massage. This
interview gives therapists a chance to discuss
which techniques could be beneficial to the
client and which could be harmful. Because
massage therapists tend to specialize in only a
few areas of massage, customers will often be
referred to or seek a therapist with a certain
type of massage in mind. Based on the person's
goals, ailments, medical history, and
stress-related or pain-related problem areas, a
massage therapist will conclude whether a
massage would be harmful and if not, move
forward with the session. While giving the
massage, therapists alter their approach or
concentrate on areas of particular discomfort as
necessary.
Many modalities of massage therapy use
massage oils, lotions, or creams to massage and
rub the client's muscles. Most massage
therapists, particularly those who are
self-employed, supply their own table or chair,
sheets, pillows, and body lotions or oils. Most
modalities of massage require clients to be
covered in a sheet or blanket and to be
undressed or wear loose-fitting clothing. The
therapist exposes only the body part being
massaged. Some types of massage are done without
oils or lotions and are performed with the
client fully clothed.
Massage therapists must develop a rapport
with their clients if repeat customers are to be
secured. Because those who seek a therapist tend
to make regular visits, developing a loyal
clientele is an important part of becoming
successful.
Massage therapists work in an array of settings,
both private and public: private offices,
studios, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness
centers, sports medicine facilities, airports,
and shopping malls, for example. Some massage
therapists also travel to clients' homes or
offices to provide a massage. It is common for
full-time massage therapists to divide their
time among several different settings, depending
on the clients and locations scheduled.
Most massage therapists give massages in
dimly lit settings. Using candles and/or incense
is not uncommon. Ambient or other calm, soothing
music is often played. The dim lighting, smells,
and background noise are meant to put clients at
ease. However, when visiting a client's office,
a massage therapist may not have those
amenities. The working conditions depend heavily
on a therapist's location and what the client
wants.
Read more @
Bureau of Labor Statistics
