Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy

Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy

(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

Massage therapy is a complementary and alternative therapy that I believe would be beneficial for the treatment of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Rapaport et al. (2018), massage therapy consists of working on the soft tissue of the body that may help with physical pain, muscle injuries/tension, relaxation, and well-being/self-care practice that may be related to a mental health problem. For the most part, massage therapy is generally a safe practice that normally has no side effects (aromatherapy uses essential oils that may cause allergies), but if you have an injury, ensure your massage therapist is aware prior to any service (Rapaport et al., 2018). There a several types of massage therapies, such as sports massage, Indian head massage, Shiatsu, and aromatherapy massage (Rapaport et al., 2018). Unfortunately, limited research has been conducted on massage therapy and mental health problems; however, many individuals report massage therapy as helpful in helping them manage their well-being or as a part of their routine self-care practices (Rapaport et al., 2018).(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

            There are fundamental ethical principles that should be considered when utilizing massage therapy for anxiety and PTSD. Members of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP, 2022) must pledge their commitment to the highest principles of the massage and bodywork profession as follows: commitment to high-quality care, commitment to do no harm, commitment to an honest representation of qualifications, commitment to uphold the inherent worth of all individuals, commitment to respect client dignity and basic rights, commitment to informed consent, commitment to confidentiality, commitment to personal and professional boundaries, commitment to honesty in business, and commitment to professionalism (ABMP, 2022). To ensure all ethical principles are understood and maintained, massage therapists may want to provide clients with written massage etiquette details to ensure clarity on expectations during services, such as the following inappropriate behaviors: asking the massage therapist to go see a movie or come to your house, making excessive noises, commenting on the therapist’s looks or attractiveness, poking your head out of the room to notify the therapist that you’re ready, starting to undressing while the therapist is still in the room, touching the therapist, arriving late and expecting full-service time, and disrespecting the company policies and rules (Chunco, 2010). The massage therapist should also include guidelines that they will adhere to and provide the client, such as only exposing the area being worked on, not rushing, maintaining confidentiality, not asking the client out, and other vital information that should be stated to maintain professionalism (Chunco, 2010).(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

References

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals [ABMP]. (2022). ABMP’S code of ethics for massage therapist. https://www.abmp.com/abmp-code-ethics (Links to an external site.)(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

Chunco R. (2010). The ethical implications of research and education in the massage therapy profession. International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork3(3), 17–19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3091434/ (Links to an external site.)

Rapaport, M. H., Schettler, P. J., Larson, E. R., Carroll, D., Sharenko, M., Nettles, J., & Kinkead, B. (2018). Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)16(1), 24–31. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20170043(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

CLASSMATE 1

Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy

Yoga is an old practice rooted in Indian philosophy. Yoga used to be known for its spiritual benefits but has become popular for physical and mental health. Yoga has been shown to be effective for anxiety and depression symptoms (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2021). There are different types of yoga and the forms of Sudarashankriya, Sahajyoga, and yogasanas have been assessed for their treatment for depression. In a randomized study, data showed that yoga fared closely as well as the antidepressants, imipramine. Yogasana therapy has been shown to help the symptoms of depression, as well (Gangadhar & Porandla, 2015). There is not evidence that shows yoga helps patients with substance abuse; however, data shows that depression symptoms during withdrawal can be decreased with yoga.(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

There has been evidence that yoga can impact some biological makers. It has been shown that yoga can decrease cortisol levels in patients with depression. Furthermore, yoga has showed to increase levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) in depressed patients and have shown to have antidepressant effects (Gangadhar & Porandla, 2015).(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

There are no ethical implications when it comes to using yoga as a complementary and alternative therapy. In recent years, yoga has been used for patients with symptoms of depression. However, more data and interventions are required to fully understand the impact of yoga on depression (Bridges & Sharma, 2017).(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

References:

Bridges, L., & Sharma, M. (2017). The Efficacy of Yoga as a Form of Treatment for Depression. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine22(4), 1017–1028. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217715927(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

Gangadhar, B. N., & Porandla, K. (2015). Yoga and mental health services. Indian journal of psychiatry57(4), 338–340. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.171844(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

National Center for Contemporary and Integrative Health. (2021, April). Yoga: what you need to know. Yoga: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

FAQs

(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)

What is massage therapy summary?

Therapeutic touch through massage is a technique involving manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissues, aiming to induce relaxation, alleviate muscle stress, and enhance general health. Practitioners, trained in this method, employ an assortment of movements and pressures to focus on particular areas, addressing concerns like discomfort, tension, and circulation irregularities. These approaches have been linked to advantages such as stress reduction, pain mitigation, increased flexibility, and improved blood circulation, often serving as a supplementary approach alongside standard medical interventions.(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)
What is a good mission statement for a massage therapist?

“Fostering well-being through the art of healing touch, our goal is to deliver a comprehensive and mindful encounter that supports both the body and psyche. With a dedication to individualized attention, our objective revolves around alleviating tension, encouraging calmness, and enriching overall health. Via adept techniques and empathetic care, our aspiration is to establish a serene haven where every recipient can embark on a path to revived energy and internal balance.”(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)
What are the 4 principles of massage therapy?

The core tenets of massage therapy encompass skillful manipulation of bodily tissues to induce relaxation and relieve stress. Attunement to the client’s unique requirements allows for a customized experience, supported by consistent dialogue to ensure efficacy and comfort. Mindful consideration of health circumstances and restrictions is vital to ensure a secure and individualized approach. Lastly, the optimization of the ambient setting contributes significantly to the overall therapeutic impact of the session.(Comprehensive Essay Example on Massage Therapy)
What are the 7 components of massage?

The 7 key elements of massage encompass:

  1. Flowing Strokes: Delicate gliding motions that induce relaxation and aid in oil or lotion application.
  2. Muscle Kneading: Techniques involving kneading, rolling, and gentle pressure to target deeper muscles, boosting circulation and flexibility.
  3. Deep Friction: Applying force along muscle fibers to alleviate tension and enhance tissue alignment.
  4. Rhythmic Tapping: Employing rhythmic tapping, patting, and hacking actions to invigorate muscles.
  5. Soothing Vibrations: Utilizing oscillation or shaking maneuvers to ease muscle stress and enhance blood circulation.
  6. Steady Compression: Applying consistent pressure to specific zones to unwind muscles and promote ease.
  7. Joint Mobility: Performing passive or active movements that amplify joint flexibility and range of motion.