Massage therapy has been used for thousands of years as treatment for a number of ailments. The National Institutes of Health lists massage as both a conventional and an alternative treatment, depending on the particular issue. Massage can help relieve muscle strains, though the vast majority of massages are delivered as a relaxation technique at day spas or salons. However, though the feeling of a massage can deliver relief and rejuvenation, there are risks involved. People who suffer from certain illnesses are advised against massage. In addition, researchers are still discovering the changes (positive and negative) that massage has on the body.
The Facts
Massage therapists can practice any of 80 types of massage, which involve the pressure, stretching, rubbing and overall manipulation of the body's muscles and tissue. The point of any massage is to relax muscles. A massage can do this by carrying higher levels of blood and oxygen to the areas worked upon.
The differing types of massage vary in how the therapy is delivered, from amount pressure to the types of strokes employed. Swedish massage utilizes long strokes and kneading, and the therapist will often move the body's joints to aid flexibility. Deep tissue employs strokes and hard finger pressure on tightened or knotted muscles and tissue. This allows the therapist to focus on the body tissue that resides far under the skin. Shiatsu massage uses a more rhythmic approach that varies finger pressure and strokes on the body that are vital to its energy flow.
Risk Factors
The first risk factor is whether the masseuse you are seeing is certified. Just because the sign in front of the building says "Massage" does not mean certified therapists are on staff. Therapists in many states are required to seek training and obtain certification from the state in which they practice. Certifications include: LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist), LMP (Licensed Massage Practitioner), CMT (Certified Massage Therapist), NCTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork), and NCTM (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork).
Massage licensing varies from state to state. New York State requires 1,000 hours of training and the passage of a state exam. California has no state licensing, but individual counties provide certification and have different requirements. States such as Alaska and Kansas have no state legislation governing massage therapy.
Massage therapy is not unlike any other practice. Without training, the massage could be done incorrectly and result in injury. Before scheduling a massage, ask whether the therapists are licensed by the state and hold one of the certifications listed above.
Risk Factors
If you have cardiovascular issues, massage therapy holds a great deal of risk. People with a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia, can start bleeding both externally or internally due to the level of pressure placed on the body, with no ability to clot. The same can be said for people on blood thinners or anti-clotting medication and for people with damaged blood vessels.
People with thrombosis, or blood clotting in a deep vein, can suffer a catastrophic event if the clot becomes dislodged. This can occur when the therapist is working with deep pressure on the legs. By jarring the clot and allowing it to flow through the body, the risk of stroke, aneurysm and heart attack is imminent.
Risk Factors
People with a weak skeleton are at the risk of sustaining bone fractures from massage. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, many therapists will decline the session as your bones could break from the pressure of a massage. Bones that are healing from a fracture are also at risk because the fractured bone may not be strong enough to withstand a massage.
Cancer presents a number set of risks beginning with bone density. Chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer treatments can weaken the body's bones and expose them to fracture. The reduced immune system of a cancer patient can prevent speedy healing and promote the onset of infection. In addition, therapists may refuse to treat a person with cancer because of the location of the tumor, feeding tubes, chemotherapy tubes or inflammation from radiation therapy.
Risk Factors
As with any treatment there are side effects. The NIH lists the following side effects from massage therapy:
• Temporary pain or discomfort
• Bruising
• Swelling
• A sensitivity or allergy to massage oils
Discuss the level of pressure with the therapist prior to the session. If you feel that the therapist is applying too much pressure, say so during the massage. Also explain any allergies you have and ask the therapist to use a hypoallergenic oil.
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