Is massage therapy an essential service or a luxury?

Answer 1

OK first off you are saying Massage Therapy, Define therapy and you get your answer! There are some pains that only massage will release the pain and the pressure. Someone said on an answer above that it depends where you get it, I can agree to a point, if you are going in because you are hurting and it relieves it that is therapy, if you are going in because it feels good and you enjoy the time away from everything and to get your mind off of things, that is luxury.
There are so many different types of massage now, from therapy to hot stones.
So there you go your answer is both. By the way good question!

Answer 2

I think massage therapy can be both a luxury and an essential part of physical therapy.

I have a disease called MS that can severely impair my ability to control and keep my muscles working. I am involved in a physical therapy program that does include massage. My goal is to continue to have the ability to walk.

If someone considers walking essential then massage therapy would not be considered a luxury. We know that there are a lot of different types of massage. In medical cases it usually doesn't really feel good and can even be painful. So, if anyone were in my situation I would just ask them how much they considered walking a luxury.

I said both because some people might avail of a massage just to make them feel better. But, I still don't consider feeling better a luxury. Though there are certainly people out there who only take advantage of massage therapy because of the social status and that would be a luxury in my humble opinion.

Massage therapy is probably only a necessary for certain medical conditions and someone should consult their doctor because this can be dangerous in some conditions. However it would still be considered helpful and recommended for everything from stress reduction to minor injuries. Though not essential, these cases still wouldn't fall into the category of luxury.

In my humble opinion it is up to the individual whether to consider something a luxury. Even if it were just a luxury it still reduces stress and that can make people smile and that effects everyone. As they say happiness is often contagious and one smile can lead to another. :)

Answer 3

massage therapy can be both a luxury and a necessity. The first time you go it's a luxury, then after your wonderful experience it's a necessity.LOL I get massages once every other week from school and I have found that after my massages, I feel like I can tackle the world. My body feels great, and I feel so pampered. I love them. I wouldn't change that for anything! There are many benefits for massage you can read up on any of the websites. Try it you will love it! Schools offer student massages cheaper than a spa or shop and they are great!

Answer 4

It depends. Massages can be beneficial to one's health. For instance, I once had a crick in my neck that got worse and worse in the days that followed. It got so bad I could hardly walk or sit still without being in extreme pain. I got a massage, and man, was I ever grateful! The massage (1) worked out the crick and (2) enabled the muscles surrounding it to relax, as they were tensing and creating additional layers of pain around the initial cramp.

Stress, whether physical or mental, can cause your muscles to tense up in very unhealthy ways and cause pain. Pain relievers can block out some of this pain temporarily, but they won't do anything to work out the tightened muscles. A massage can help do that and relieve the pain.

One last thought about whether massage is essential or a luxury: Does the person getting these massages *have* to get these massages at a high-end, expensive spa or salon? Or is this person OK with getting them from a professional massage therapist who works perhaps at a more modest looking place? Massage is massage, whether it happens in a fancy spa or a modest office. In some instances, the massage may be an essential service. But the fancy location, fancy music, and fancy building where you get the massage is not; that's ALWAYS a luxury.

Answer 5

That depends. If you are Paris Hilton, they are a luxury. If you are experiencing poor circulation in your legs and ankles due to diabetes, they are an essential service. Massage therapy was designed as a relaxation method, but can aid the body in many ways. It improves circulation, muscle tension, and even digestion, just to name a few. There are many medical advantages to massage therapy, however, the reason they are popular here is because of their luxurious benefits. It is also important to note that people with cancer and other terminal illnesses may have their illnesses worsened by massage therapy. Like all other alternative medicines, you should talk to your doctor first.

Answer 6

Massage is the process of exacting minimal pressure on the body to ease or bring about a relief. It is healthy exercise advised to be embarked upon periodically. It is an essential service, it is essential because it is needful, needful because there might be a malfunctioning in the body system, a pain or when breath comes difficult. Massage therapy is essentially needful and not a luxury.

Answer 7

Massage therapy used to be considered an unnecessary luxury but more and moredoctors are saying otherwise. Around here , the places where the work is hard physical laborencourage their employees to have regular massage therapy. This is essential for high physical stress jobs- there is less injury on the job when massage therapy is sought regularly.
It is not just about pampering, massage helps release toxins in the body, helps loosen and relax muscles so they can work more efficiently, massage releases stress, helps the muscles heal and recover faster from injury or physically stressful work.
You cannot compare massage to a manicure / pedicure. The health benefits are phenomenal and massage can be a part of preventative measures so more extreme essential services- like a heart transplant MAY not be neccessary.

Just an extra note- insurance companies are begining to see the merit of massage therapy being a part of preventative medicine- our insurance covers more massage appointments per year then it does chiropractic services.
Many insurance companies will provide coverage for massage therapy- it is not just for the rich or for 'physical therapy' for an injury- we certainly could not afford it otherwise

Answer 8

Sometimes it can be essential.. A Massage is a great way of de-stressing. And Everyone knows that stress itself is bad for health...

I massage once in a while when feeling stressed, is perfect... Also it is good if your a fitness person, running and cycling is great, yet sometimes a good massage is vital to keep your self from getting muscle injury, and putting to much strain on yourself...

Massages for Destressing and Fitness reasons are Essential... Otherwise, for any other purpose. It is just a Luxury...

Answer 9

I guess it depends on your definition of "essential service". As another poster pointed out, in its strictest definition, an essential service would be one in which your life depends upon it. So, by that definition, it's clearly not an essential service.

I would define a luxury as a commodity or service that offers no improvement to basic quality of life over a less-expensive alternative. Since there are certain stress related injuries (pinched nerves being a good example) that can be subdued with massage therapy, I would say that it is not a luxury, either, since there are not any less-expensive alternatives to this type of therapy.

Answer 10

It is mostly a luxury but not always.

There was a time when deep tissue massage therapy was making the difference of whether I could work or not. When you are spending 70+ hours a week programming, it does some very bad things to your back muscles.