The benefits of bodywork are well-known and wide-ranging, but even many of its practitioners aren’t aware of the deep and colorful history of massage. The first references to massage in texts appear in biblical documents written around 493 BC, describing daily massage as part of a beauty regime undertaken by the wives of Xerxes. Shortly after this, in 460 BC, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote that" A physician must have experience in many things, but assured in rubbing … because rubbing can bind a joint muscle that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is too rigid". Due to the way in which these passages are written, it seems highly likely that medical and therapeutic massage had been practiced many years before either of these written references was made.

In fact, an ancient Chinese book, Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine), written around 2700 BC states that "exercises breathing, massage of flesh and skin, and exercises of the feet and hands" are recommended treatments for "complete paralysis, chills and fever". Even Julius Caesar is said to have received daily massage in order to treat neuralgia. Swedish massage, however – the style of bodywork which will be familiar to most Westerners – was not developed until the late 1800s Per Henrik Ling was a sweetish doctor. He based his method on studies of physiology and gymnastics as well as ancient massage therapies from Egypt and Greece. Up until 1934, St. Thomas’s Hospital in London even had its own department of massage where methods where practiced.

Even earlier still than Huangdi Neijing, many believe that forms of massage began to emerge in India around 3000 BC; possibly even earlier. However, the texts detailing this were only written sometime between 1500 and 500 BC. These descriptions of the Ayurveda system of holistic medicine dictate that individuals are afflicted by illness and disease when they live out of harmony with their environment. The Chinese methods of massage, however, state that an imbalance in the energy of specific pathways in the human psychological system is often the cause of illness and disease. They believed that therapeutic touch allowed the energy to flow more naturally through these pathways, thereby healing the disease or ailment.

The Western medical system once again became interested in and aware of the benefits of massage during a wave of interest in natural healing during the 1960s. Since this time, massage has continued to be a popular method of dealing with stress and anxiety related disorders. In fact, almost 30% of all money spent on alternative medicine in the United States in 1997 was spent on massage. In the 1980s, the Association of Bodywork and Massage Practitioners was formed, bringing regulation and respect to the industry after over 4,000 years.

With massage proving to be a highly effective method of treatment throughout the ages from ancient China to modern-day America, the history of massage is certainly a colorful one and it seems certain that bodywork will prove to be a popular and effective treatment for many more centuries to come. In an age of modern medicine and technological innovation, it is quite calming in itself to see such an ancient medical practise as massage being used as a respected, trusted form of medical treatment.

Many people in the US are nowadays suffering from back pain making it one of the main ailments that doctors are treating. Data obtained from the National Institute of Health indicates that in every five adults four will suffer from back pain within their life time. Those who have suffered from back pains already know the effects it has on their daily lives. The main causes of back pains include muscle strain; irritation or injury to the large nerve that runs down the legs and arms, or the small nerves inside the spine; or from an injury to the discs, bones, joints or ligaments in the spine. But what is more encouraging is the fact that with massage therapy the effects of these problems can be minimized and the back pain reduced and you can do your daily tasks normally. The benefits of massage therapy are recognized by many experts and they recommend massage for the management of chronic or acute back pain.

Massage therapy is recognized by many health care providers as a solution for back pain and many of their patients are asked to visit licensed massage therapists. According to research carried out at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami in 2001 massage therapy does not only decrease back pain but it also increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine thereby helping to reduce depression and anxiety. Those who went through massage not only slept well but also improved their range of motion. This is according to a report contained in the International Journal of Neuroscience, 106, 131-145. A similar research by the American Massage Therapy Association also shows that with massage blood circulation is improved in the body thereby quickening the healing of the back muscles and back tissues leaving the body muscles in a relaxed mood.  This helps the functions of the body and its ability to carry out other tasks. Through massage oxygen and nutrients is sent to the muscles and this helps in the elimination of acids and waste that results to pain and stiffness. 

Therapeutic massage helps involves the stimulation of the soft tissues in the back to relax the muscles. Through this the effects of inflammation, muscle spasms, tension, aches, stiffness and pain is lessened. The type of massage therapy you will be given depends on your condition. You may be given Swedish massage which involves more friction and energy. You can also be given Myofascial Release for the relive of tension that is found in the support muscles. Other forms of massage therapy include Trigger Point and Myotherapy that involves putting pressure on certain trigger points which helps to relax the muscles and to release tension. There is also Shiatsu which was there for time immemorial and uses acupressure. The Reiki which is from Japan helps in regulating the body energy.

A back pain massage may require you to seek permission from your doctor or your physical therapist just to be sure that you have no underlying condition that can affect you. You can also ask them to refer you to a licensed massage therapist. Alternatively you can seek assistance from American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) at 888-THE AMTA for a certified massage therapist in your state. The massage therapist you get should be certified by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA), the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCST), or the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).

The time you resting faced down on a massage table, no matter what fine work massage therapist is doing, you can possibly be tempted to anticipate that at the bottom of the day the entire job includes is actually a set of hands. The truth is, there may be substantially more towards a therapeutic massage rather than that. A proficient message therapist has to know quite a few concerns. Primarily, they must know exactly which usually ways to apply regardless whether it may be the fingers, fingertips, hand as well as other things. They need to moreover know exactly which oils to make use of, which usually smells etc. Even more importantly, the massage specialist has to determine exactly how to regulate the patient's body. He or she must absolutely know where you should touch, the best way to touch it as well as just how long to touch it.

This isn't an ordinary thing and to be in tune with all this, all the specialist massage therapists have to participate in therapeutic massage spa training. When you have also been questioning how to begin off on a job in this business world, you will also have a need to begin right here in order to master massage therapy. The moment it takes in massage education will certainly vary in accordance with what it's trainees demands. The few just merely seem for the least requirements required to get started while other people head out the entire way and aim to excel at the field. Oftentimes, this era of understanding time is usually managed with a mentioned body and will often span anything starting from 330 to 1000 hours. This will likely convert to programs which usually last anything from between a couple of weeks to two years.

Subsequently after attaining the required expertise mandated, the next phase is to get started on developing a profession out of this. There are many procedures one could take. Quite a few start on business projects and initiate their own business such as therapeutic massage studios or maybe massage therapy spas while other people search for career coming from already set up enterprises. Much of the locations in which a massage training scholar can acquire occupation contain but aren't restricted to Spas, resorts, hotels, hospitals (as medical massage therapists), private offices, physical fitness zones, state clubs etc. Typically the travel and leisure as well as hospitality sector is the best place exactly where it might be easiest to obtain job due to the fact massage therapy became an important part of many peoples relaxation sessions hence the right spot to find these individuals could be exactly where they're going to unwind.

Even if you're not looking into a complete time work being a message therapist, it may also make for an ideal part-time career which is a good plan for an individual trying to make a little extra money. It is also the type of proficiency that is great fun to acquire handy in the bedroom as a sensuous therapeutic massage will make for any fantastic experience in the bed room.

In the event you want to master massage therapy pertaining to other reasons rather than acquiring a work or possibly to merely expand your knowledge then you are in luck as this is an area that has as numerous variations the way it might take you to learn in a single life long. You might take a massage continuing education and aim to master plenty of various strategies as you can learn about. Massage practices through the eastern side gives you a particularly good amount of work to perform simply because they have numerous ranging types of massage therapy such as Japan's shiatsu, Thailand's Hilot, the stone massage and others.

Massage therapy continuing education might seem common however it will also be an education in treatment as numerous therapeutic massage therapists will testify to a single patient who seem to stated that the message therapist palms are undoubtedly what cured them upon years of health problem. When you gain knowledge of massage therapy, you likewise learn to heal.

Massage therapy spa tools and techniques vary from one clinic to the next, but which massage therapy tools will make you the most successful? In order to be successful in massage therapy, it is important to know the history of massage therapy and understand the massage therapy continuing education techniques and classes that are available. In fact, to learn about the tools used in massage therapy, such as oils, stones, rocks, massage table warmers, lighting, massage therapy room décor, or even towels can affect the way your massage therapy spa session will proceed with your client. What types of massage therapy do patients want most? Well, depending on whether there is medical massage therapy which is necessary, or back pain therapy, or simply stress relief therapy that is needed, your client will enjoy different types of massage therapy tools. So, what is a basic set of tools or techniques every massage spa therapist artist should master? Some artists practicing their massage therapy, natural therapy or relaxation therapy, practice from a home office, and simply use a bed as their main massage tool. However, massage therapy spa place, like biglou massage has comfortable, unique, table that add to the back pain therapy experience by lessening the risk that you injure yourself while in therapy.

Learn massage therapy at a massage therapist school near you but be sure you understand that the techniques of massage therapy often vary from school to school. If you believe in Zen, yoga and other meditational practices, it may be a good idea to see if your school’s administration has an open-minded curriculum in which you can further your practice and massage continuing education.  In order to properly learn massage therapy, you must develop your own artistic style, have personable skills to appeal to clients, and have the right tools.

A massage therapy spa will also provide you with towels and foam face cradles for your clients to enjoy  their massage therapy experience. Over the course of history of massage, techniques, tables, beds, lighting and stones have changed. However, it is most important that you choose the massage therapy tools you felt most comfortable using in your training course. Carrying cases are a good idea, in order to have your hot stone rocks, towels, oils, and any other equipment you feel you need from your massage continuing education courses.

When you learn massage therapy about back pain therapy, it is important to consider your patient’s comfort. Patients with back pain therapy or sciatica have needs that are often more sensitive than those who are on a vacation for a massage or simply visiting a massage therapy spa. Some physicians suggest that heat or ice can help lower back pain therapy for your clients. Gentle, soft techniques are sometimes the best, but other schools of massage therapy believe that kneading into the back is the best technique to avoid future back pain. The American Massage Therapy association provides career advice and additional massage therapy continuing education to help you further your career and choose the correct tools. The organization also offers massage therapy practice license insurance, so that you can learn massage therapy, practice it, and remain safe, against lawsuits.