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What’s this
The word itself evokes a mass to be moved, modeled, kneaded and it is the matter of the physical body. If you also look at the root of the word you will notice that in many languages we find the basis of the treatment: “mass” in Arabic means to touch gently, “massein” in Greek means to knead, rub, “mashech” in Hebrew means to touch , to feel, as also “masser” in French means to rub. These are all verbs that evoke the work of the massage therapist, who takes care of all the tissues of the person who comes to him. The discipline has ancient roots that date back to the Egyptians and the Greeks and is defined in a real form, as a system of rules and indications, thanks to the Swedish doctor, gymnast and physiotherapist Pehr Henrik Ling (1776 and 1839). Founder of Swedish massage, he is also responsible for the foundations of massage therapy.
Everything that falls into the field of massage therapy refers to an accurate one tissue manipulation soft aimed at promoting circulation, reducing contractures and oxygenating all tissues, with enormous positive implications also for the joints. This form of therapy is based on in-depth knowledge of human anatomy and the professional’s talent for creating deep contact with the person. There are various massage techniques that can help people have a good general state of health. The massage therapist takes into account the overall aspect of the person and goes to dissolve mainly physical “knots”. The massage therapist knows how to recognize the various anatomical structures and has a series of manual techniques very effective on several levels. Massage therapists can be present in wellness facilities such as spas or spas or even in physiotherapy centers, such as support figures, or holistic centers. The massage therapist independently decides how to increase the number of massage techniques learned; some add foot reflexology, sports or oriental forms of massage. There are many ways in which the massage therapist treats the matter: there are techniques of rubbing, vibration, pressure, percussion, friction, sliding and kneading. The massage therapist uses different techniques depending on the person in front of him and according to the state of the tissue he is treating. Some massage therapists make their way use of essential oilsOils such as rosemary essential oil, which has a great pain relieving action on muscles, or eucalyptus oil, which removes muscle fatigue, are often used. Lemon essential oil acts on the lymphatic system and mint oil on the venous system. Often these oils are diluted in sweet almond or sunflower seed oil and favor all sliding maneuvers on fabrics.
When you need it
When levels of tiredness and exhaustion significant, when contractures add up and you really need to rebalance vital functions, massage therapy acts on the tissues and therefore rebalances starting from the matter and then going to affect the emotional state. Water retention, swelling, stress-related disorders, fatigue are all dysfunctions that the massage therapist goes to rebalance through a work that acts both on the lymphatic and muscular level. Even in the case of fatigue or aches and pains caused by incorrect posture, the massage therapist is able to intervene very well. Contacting the massage therapist allows you to constantly take care of the customer helping him to dispose of and not accumulate any stress.
Finally, massage therapy is excellent for all athletes who have post-workout pain and allows them to speed up recovery and dispose of the effects of loads and effort. Also excellent for those who do manual work and tend to stiffen the tendons and contractures at the level of the shoulders and the stretch cervical. Among the great benefits of massage therapy we find that of facilitating lymphatic drainage and therefore eliminate waste and toxins present in the tissues. The massage also increases the secretion of endorphins and guarantees a sense of general well-being to the whole body.
Differences between massage therapy and physiotherapy
Physiotherapists intervene professionally in cases of previous trauma and acute pain due to accidents. The target audience of physiotherapists they are those who have to resume an interrupted and momentarily suspended function. The massage therapist goes to accompany people on a path of constant health. In summary, there must have been no trauma to go to the massage therapist. Prevention is the key word for what concerns massage therapy and not rehabilitation, which is the prerogative of the physiotherapist.
To find out if you are contacting a massage therapist it is possible refer to the AIM (Italian Association of Massage Therapists). You should not go to the massage therapist after an injury or in case of acute pain related to a domestic, sports or other accident; in that case it is advisable to follow the diagnostic process and the opinion of the physiotherapist who, after evaluating the images and the motor range, creates a specific protocol and follows the patient in the rehabilitation process.
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