Massage Therapy
Los Angeles Massage Therapy Center by Lapaz Medicine
Massage Therapy Los Angeles, California
A massage is the rubbing or kneading of parts of the body to aid circulation, to
stimulate nerves, or to relax the muscles. Massage therapy is often a massage
plus a metaphysical explanation about some sort of energy or "structure" being
balanced, unblocked, transferred, harmonized, tuned up, or aligned.
A massage is usually relaxing and usually feels good. Most of us, however, could
not explain the physical and physiological mechanisms causing the relaxation and
pleasure. Most of us probably suspect it has something to do with the enjoyment
of being touched by another person, and with the physical movement of muscles
and other body parts.
Some massage therapists claim to understand the metaphysical reasons for the
uplifting and relaxing effect of massage. Polarity therapy, and
reflexology
Ortho-Bionomy works by contacting the body's "trigger points." According to this
theory, when a trigger point is contacted, you "immediately relieve pain and
restore the body's natural balance and rhythm" (The Davis Enterprise, January
10, 1993, pp. C-1 and C-3).
Reflexology works by allegedly unblocking the 7,200 nerve endings in each foot
so that they can respond to all of the glands, organs and other parts of the
body and improve the blood supply as well. This supposedly helps the body reach
a "balanced state."
Polarity therapy is based on "balancing the life energy that moves through every
part of the body ... and ... moves in currents, or channels within and around
the body." Polarity therapy "attempts to eliminate blockages in these channels
which can cause imbalance and illness." The theory is that "if the body's
currents are balanced, the person relaxes and is able to heal more efficiently"
(ibid.).
Massage therapist Christy Freidrich says, "A lot of what I do is to try to help
people with their structural balance. Over a period of time, people end up
learning more about structure and how it works" (ibid.).
These massage therapists sound as if they have as their goal something similar
to therapeutic "touch"--restoring harmony and balance to one's life energy. The
massage therapist uses "palpation for assessment of ... energy blockages," while
the therapeutic touch practitioner allegedly manipulates the energy in your
aura.
Massage therapists who are certified by the National Certification Board for
Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) must take 500 hours of education
classes and pass an examination. They must know some basic anatomy and
physiology, as well as some first-aid. Despite the emphasis on balancing energy,
none of the practice questions provided by the NCBTMB involve metaphysics.
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) claims that
Research shows [massage] reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure,
increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of
motion, and increases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Therapeutic
massage enhances medical treatment and helps people feel less anxious and
stressed, relaxed yet more alert.
They don't mention who did the research and where one might verify these claims.
Nor do they mention that these effects are likely to be temporary or that
similar results might be achieved by meditating, walking, exercising, having
sex, or reading a good book, not necessarily in that order.
The AMTA also claims that therapeutic massage "can help" with
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allergies
-
anxiety
-
arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
-
asthma and bronchitis
-
carpal tunnel syndrome
-
chronic and temporary pain
-
circulatory problems
-
depression
-
digestive disorders, including spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea
-
headache, especially when due to muscle tension
-
insomnia
-
myofascial pain (a condition of
the tissue connecting the muscles)
-
reduced range of motion
-
sinusitis
-
sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and sprained ligaments
-
stress
-
temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)
Something that "can help" with so many disorders and dysfunctions should be very
popular. According to the AMTA, Americans spend from $2 billion to $4 billion
per year on massage therapy. However, "can help with" is an empty claim, and
those with serious medical problems such as cardiac problems, depression, or
sinusitis would do well to consult a physician.
Since massage therapy is essentially an unregulated profession, making claims
that massage therapists are qualified to treat medical conditions such as
allergies, infectious diseases, phlebitis, and the like, seems like quackery.
This has not stopped the profession from expanding to the point where even dogs
and horses can get a healing massage. One of the more popular animal therapies
is "Tellington Touch," the creation of animal quacker Linda Tellington-Jones,
who offers holistic treatment for pets.
So, when looking for a good massage therapist I'd suggest you avoid the one's
that identify themselves with some sort of metaphysical quackery or New Age
energy manipulation.
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