Massage therapist
The delicious benefits of massage do not appear out of nowhere. The immediate soothing effects of massage and the long-term health benefits of massage do not come from incidental backrubs from friends, but from the trained arms of certified massage therapists. Trained arms would be an understatement, because massage therapists actually use their entire torso of the upper body to apply proper pressure if they only used their hands and arms, they would soon become tired, and the necessary pressure would not be applied.
When looking for a massage therapist, there are a few things that need to be understood in the search. First of all, it is important to understand who exactly is a massage therapist, and how to find one that is right for your needs. The next step, of course, is to understand what massage therapists do, what their work entails, and the actual art they practice. With this knowledge in hand, a wise decision that will lead to less stress and better use of muscle will be much easier to make.
A massage therapist is a health professional who is certified and licensed to practice a variety of massage therapies to improve the well-being of his or her patient. Completing a massage school, accredited by the state in which it is located, is required to practice massage legally at a recognized location. Thus, a massage therapist can be found working at such varied locations as hospitals and clinics, their own private or group practices, spas and resorts, and major sporting events.
The general program of study required for a massage therapist includes courses in neurology, anatomy, pathology, first aid, physiology, combined with practice in Western and Eastern massage theories. It is important to note that a massage therapist does not replace medical treatment by a physician, but may very well require an additional treatment prescribed by physicians. Doctors often advise seeing a massage therapist, and may refer their patients to a suitable therapist.
However, services of massage therapists are certainly not limited to referrals from doctors. An office for massage therapists can be a great place to prevent ailments. Seeing a massage therapist on a regular basis, even for the healthy person (although in today's social climates, stress has become a factor in almost everyone's life, and negatively affects health), reduces stress on muscles, and thus reduces stress on the mind. Massage therapy also works positively on circulation, and directly helps the capillaries, so close to the surface of the skin, to circulate blood, as well as acting on the muscles that help to bring
blood back to the heart. A massage therapist evaluates his or her patient, and designs a massage therapy program specific to the client's needs. Seeing a massage therapist regularly can also lead to disease prevention when referring patients to doctors if a condition arises beyond the reach of a massage therapist.
The massage techniques used are subject to both the test of time and scientific study. Many techniques are quite old, and with modern studies shedding more light on their secrets, we learn that their effects are certainly positive on the body. Massage therapy affects both the muscles being manipulated, as well as certain internal organs,
through the pressure points in our hands and feet that affect those specific organs. The techniques used by massage therapists are very varied, from the traditional Swedish massage, which is known to be particularly beneficial for the lymphatic system and blood circulation in the veins, to the less conventional reflexology massage, that is the massage that affects us. organs by manipulating points on our hands and feet.
Many other types of massage therapy exist, and it is wise to research both the type that will be most beneficial for your specific need, as well as to consult with your massage therapist as to which therapy is right for you. While every massage therapist will be trained in a variety of techniques, no one massage therapist will be a specialist in all types.
The task of the massage therapist is to reduce the mental and physical effects of stress, improve the overall well-being of her client, restore health and prevent future illnesses and diseases. These desired effects are achieved through the various techniques of massage therapy, which are broad and varied. While a massage therapist is not a doctor, and does not pretend to be one, the regular visits of a certified massage therapist can be very beneficial to health,
as well as an important supplement to many medical treatments. As information on massage therapy becomes widely available, the medical community has begun to incorporate massage therapy into modern me
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