By Jessica Alameda CMT, PTALA
Physical Therapy
For centuries, healers, medicine men and therapists have practiced therapeutic massage. Before recorded history the skills were passed down through oral tradition. Techniques still practiced today can trace their roots back to civilizations such as ancient Greece, where facilities called Greek gymnasia were used for exercises, “frictions” and baths. Even Greek philosopher Aristotle is said to have recommended rubbing with water and oil to relieve tired muscles (Benjamin & Tappan, 2005). Therapeutic massage is just as beneficial today and can play an important role in your rehabilitation. Massage can release tension in muscles, decrease pain, and promote tissue repair. It can reduce blood pressure and heart rate in addition to reducing anxiety and increasing mental clarity.
The mechanical forces of compression, stretching and vibration applied during massage help to lengthen and relax tight or tense muscles that may result from injury, improper posture or stress. Soft tissue adhesions, commonly referred to as “knots,” cause muscles to tighten or shorten therefore inhibiting proper function and decreasing flexibility. Consequently, these adhesions can decrease range of motion and mobility in joints of the body. Massage techniques such as friction will break up these adhesions while passive joint movements can be used to increase and maintain normal range of motion (Benjamin & Tappan, 2005).
Trigger points found in the bellies of muscles can commonly be a source of pain. Trigger points are defined as areas of spasm or hypersensitive nodules within the fibers of a muscle (Paolini, 2009). These nodules can cause pain locally or refer pain to other areas of the body. Research has shown that trigger point release by applying direct and sustained pressure is effective in reducing pain (Paolini, 2009). Some research suggests the physical pressure applied by a therapist causes sensory receptors to interfere with the body’s pain receptors therefore inhibiting the brain’s perception of pain. However, most research agrees that it is the physical breaking up of adhesions and increasing soft tissue extensibility that is responsible for decreased pain (Paolini, 2009).
The body’s initial response to injury is inflammation. The signs of inflammation include pain, swelling, redness, heat and loss of function. Massage is contraindicated until these signs subside (Benjamin & Tappan, 2005). Once massage can be applied, superficial strokes help to increase circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the site of injury and promoting tissue repair. Deeper friction strokes can be applied to maturing scars to encourage healthy scar formation. Abnormal scar tissue adhesions may cause shortening of soft tissue fibers and inhibit motion. By applying a transverse stroke, tissue fibers become more organized, encouraging the scar to heal uniform to surrounding tissues (Benjamin & Tappan, 2005).
Combining massage therapy with physical therapy can be a great benefit to your rehabilitation. Along with strength training and manual therapies provided by your therapist, massage can increase flexibility and range of motion, decrease pain and encourage tissue healing and healthy scar formation. With so many physical, psychological and emotional benefits, it is no wonder the art of massage is still as practical today as it was thousands of years ago.
References:
Benefits of Regular Massage. Health Centered Spine and Wellness, Indianna.
Benjamin, P. J., & Tappan, F. M. (2005). Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Julie Levin Alexander .
Paolini, J. (2009). Review of Myofascial Release as an Effective Massage Therapy Technique. Athletic Therapy Today , 30-34.
About the Author:
Jessica Alameda CMT, PTALA studied massage at the California Holistic Institute in San Luis Obispo, CA and through continuing education became a California licensed Massage Therapist in 2011. More recently she completed a Physical Therapy Assistant program at Carrington College and is anxiously waiting to take her National Licensing Exam in October.
