What is Massage Therapy?
As defined by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health General Statutes Chapter 384a Section 20-206d: "Massage therapy means the systematic and scientific manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues of the body, by use of pressure, friction, stroking, percussion, kneading, vibration by manual or mechanical means, range of motion and nonspecific stretching. Massage therapy may include the use of oil, ice, hot and cold packs, tub, shower, steam, dry heat, or cabinet baths, for the purpose of, but not limited to, maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical and mental condition. Massage therapy does not encompass diagnosis, the prescribing of drugs or medicines, spinal or other joint manipulations, nor any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, natureopathy, physical therapy or podiatry is required by law".
What is Therapeutic Massage?
According to Sandy Fritz, "Therapeutic Massage is the scientific art and system of assessment and systematic manual application of a technique to the superficial soft tissue of the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, as well as the structures that lie within the superficial tissue, by means of the hand, foot, knee, arm, elbow, and forearm. The manual technique involves systematic application of touch, stroking, friction, vibration, percussion, kneading, stretching, compression, or passive and active joint movements within the normal physiological range of motion. Also included are adjunctive external applications of water, heat, and cold for the purposes of establishing and maintaining good physical condition and health by normalizing and improving muscle tone, promoting relaxation, stimulating circulation, and producing therapeutic effects on the respiratory and nervous systems and the subtle interactions among all body systems. These intended effects are accomplished through the physiologic energetic and mind/body connections in a safe, nonsexual environment that respects the client's self-determined outcome for the session".
Therapeutic massage is a general health service. There is no specific treatment of any kind given for preexisting physical or mental problems. All specific problems of a medical, structural, psychological, or dietary nature will be referred to the appropriate licensed professional. Written permission and supervision by the medical professional or other licensed health professional will be required in order for a massage therapist to work with any condition that falls within that specific scope of practice.
Finally, it must be emphasized that therapeutic massage when used occasionally provides only temporary effects. Thus, best results are maintained when treatments are given on a weekly or biweekly basis and used as a maintenance system.
What are Indication and Contraindication?
An Indication is a condition for which an approach would be beneficial for health enhancement, treatment of a particular disorder, or support of a treatment modality other than massage. Indications for massage are based on its objective and subjective health-enhancing benefits. Some results of massage can be measured. These are objective - physical and observable. Other results of massage are assumed effective based on experience. These are subjective - mental and perception reporting.
A Contraindication is a condition for which an approach could be harmful. It is any condition that renders a particular treatment improper or raises cautions concerning treatment, and which requires the supervision of a physician. Contraindications to massage are the responsibility of both physicians and massage practitioners.
Contraindications can be separated into two categories, regional and general. Regional Contraindications are those that relate to a specific area of the body, in which case massage may be provided but the problem area is avoided. At the same time, the client should be referred to a physician who can make a diagnosis and rule out underlying condidtions.
General Contraindications are those that require a physician's evaluation to rule out serious underlying conditions before any massage is indicated. If the physician recommends massage, then a comprehensive treatment plan would be developed with appropriate cautions and supervision.
Modalities Used in our Massage Sessions:
There are over two hundred (200) different types of massage modalities already existing and new ones are being developed with continued research in their quest for health enhancement. From this large list of modalities, Ecarg Therapeutic Bodyworks, LLC is concentrating on certain areas that are in keeping with its focus. These areas include: Swedish Massage, Deep Connective Tissue Massage, Lymphatic Massage, Medical Massage, Acupressure, Sports Massage and Chair Massage. Discussion on these modalities can be viewed at "My Services" page.
The Benefits of Massage:
The benefits of massage are among the ones listed below but should not be limited to only these. Massage:
- increases blood supply and oxygen;
- nourishes the muscles, tissues, joints, and vital organs;
- relaxes muscles and improves the body's circulation without increasing
heart load;
- increases range of motion;
- helps the recipient obtain a feeling of connectedness, a better
awareness of their body, and the way they use and position it;
- relieves pain and discomfort associated with strains, sprains, fractures,
sciatica, muscle tension and stiff joints;
- helps shorten recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissue
of toxins and other metabolic wastes;
- relieves cramps, muscle spasms and prevents muscle atrophy;
- lowers blood pressure and heart rate;
- reduces stress, anxiety and depression;
- provides a natural means of joint lubrication;
- causes the body to release endorphins that act as natural pain killers.