Can MT Heal a Person? Can MT cure certain illnesses? How effective is Massage Therapy in the elderly living community?
2006-10-22 08:53:37 · 11 answers · asked by orchid2800 2 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
I am a Neuromuscular Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer with 20 years experience, Nutritionist and I teach college-level anatomy and physiology along with advanced structural massage therapy.
Massage therapy has many benefits, some physical, some emotional.
On a physical level, massage therapy reduces stress levels, improves circulation of blood and lymph fluid, restores range of motion to joints, and eases muscle and joint pain. When stress is relieved from the body's soft tissues the nervous system operates on a calmer level and uses less energy than a body experiencing stress.
On an emotional level, massage also is beneficial. The simple process of being touched by another human being has benefits for many people in an otherwise touch-starved world. Physical relief from pain/stress/discomfort allows the person to feel more relaxed and helps them to cope more effectively with daily stress. Endorphins released during massage also gives a person feelings of calm and well-being.
Massage works great on the living elderly, not so great if they're already deceased. Sorry, I couldn't leave that one alone!! In all seriousness, the above noted benefits work equally as well for the elderly and can improve the quality of their health and increase life expectancy.
To previous responderJohn J: numerous studies over many decades have proven conclusively the many health benefits of massage therapy. While no claims of curing diseases are being made here, many of the so-called diseases being "treated" currently with drugs and medications are completely within the realm of being alleviated or resolved with advanced massage therapy methods like NMT and Rolfing. Studies have proven that at least 80% of the physical pain people experience is a direct result of dysfunction in the body's soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments). In my own practice I see this everyday. People come to me after being diagnosed by their MD as having arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy and other "diseases" only to find that more often than not the pain and dysfunction go away almost immediately simply by releasing overly tight muscles causing the pain. Structural deep massage, along with mild stretching, decompresses joints, improves circulation and allows the central nervous system to operate more efficiently. The reason massage methods like Neuromuscular Therapy are so effective is that they work within empirically established laws of physiology
( i.e. science) and are quite beyond dispute. Doctors may argue against massage therapy for many reasons, usually financial, but they CANNOT argue the basic neurological and physiological laws that support why it works. Only in the West is massage scoffed at and viewed as "quackary". Every other place on the planet has recognized and lived by the benefits of massage and other
so-called "alternative" therapies for centuries and view it as a necessary component to good health. People like you are the reason the AMA and pharmaceutical companies continue to reap obscene profits while fleecing the ignorant masses. They've successfully convinced millions of people like you that the body is incapable of healing itself without the intervention of expensive drugs and a surgeon's scalpel. They prefer to ignore fundamental human physiology and work against the body's natural design (read: impose their will) rather than respect and work within it's superior wisdom.
Incidentally, a highly regarded study performed over many years supports my claims. If you dare, read Travell and Simons two volume empirical work, "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction- The Trigger Point Manual". It proves clinically and beyond dispute how most pain patterns originate in muscle and other soft tissues and is regularly resolved with applied massage therapy. Janet Travell was one of a growing number of open-minded MD's who now recognize that most pain can be alleviated without drugs or surgery by simply restoring the body's natural balance using massage and other non-invasive methods.
You may also be interested in researching the work of Dr.Leon Chaitow, Dr. William Sutherland, Dr. John Upledger, Paul St. John and Dr. Ida Rolf, among others. Unless, of course, you're entirely comfortable in your current mindset, namely, with your head buried firmly in a mountain of sand.
You've either decided to knowingly remain ignorant of the facts or your comments here betray an obvious bias.
2006-10-22 09:06:43 · answer #1 · answered by not_gullible 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Can Massage Therapy actually heal the person as a whole on all levelas such as Mind, Body and spirit?
Can MT Heal a Person? Can MT cure certain illnesses? How effective is Massage Therapy in the elderly living community?
2015-08-26 09:50:04 · answer #2 · answered by Dorie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, I really can't compete with not_gullible's answer on that one. All I can do is back it up with my own personal stamp of approval.
YES!!! Massage CAN heal on all levels, and I've seen it! And the key word here is "can".
I am a licensed massage therapist, as well, with over four years of experience in the field. I have worked with all varieties of ages and needs. Even a 60-minute treatment can have extraordinary effects on a person. Albeit, the mind, body, and spirit cannot be healed if they are not willing. In other words, if the person is not going to allow a change to take place in their body, no amount of prodding on my part is going to help.
On the other hand, I certainly have come in contact with some skeptical clients that quickly changed their minds after receiving their first massage. Then, there are the poor individuals that have suffered the damage of a "bad" massage, where either the therapist was too rough or just gave them an overall negative experience. Many factors can be involved that influence a person's receptiveness to a treatment. They are factors in whether or not a person will be "healed" or helped.
As for the elderly community, they certainly can benefit from massage more than any of us. Once again though, the key word is "can". I have volunteered in nursing homes and found some residents who were not open to the idea, mostly because they valued their privacy. These people seemed to have much sadness, but like I've said, massage is only effective to those who are open to it.
The best advice I can give you is to find licensed massage therapists in your area and talk to them. Your communication with them will be a good indication as to whether or not they can help you personally. You should find a therapist you feel completely comfortable with, and one who is willing to take the time to answer your questions. Have them give you a tour of their massage space (the room they use to give treatments). Make sure they are licensed according to the laws in your state and certified to practice the treatments they offer. Massage can also have negative effects if it is practiced by someone who is not qualified to practice. And, most of all, allow yourself to relax in the therapist's knowledgeable care. I assure you, there should be no other necessary job for you, as the client, on the massage table other than to relax, breathe, and enjoy!
2006-10-24 07:52:17 · answer #3 · answered by gold_maiden 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I absolutely agree with not_guilible as I myself am a qulified massage therapist. It doesn't cure physical illnesses but it aids in combating the psychological effects the person gets from the illness. Most illnesses are 90% psychosomatic (psycho = mind, soma = body). Hence, healing the inner-self, i.e. the mental and emotional state of each person. Massage will relax the person's mind and soul, which in turn will relax the body. I have wittness many people feeling good after a good massage. To your first question, a definate YES. While massages have no scientific proof to heal any illnesses, it sure improves a person's quality way of life. Add the right kind of essential oils to carrier oils to massage and you'll get an even better effect.
2006-10-22 14:37:25 · answer #4 · answered by spa_wellness 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, the body cannot heal the mind. Only the mind can heal the body. All the rest in between, the various kinds of therapies, can offer some sort of temporary alleviation of symptoms, but they do not address the cause.
Message Therapy in the elderly would probably be a good thing though because most old people, people who have lost their husbands or wives or whose children don't visit them are just dying to be touched and caressed by someone who cares about them. So, yes, that would be a good thing - for the mind.
2006-10-23 03:37:54 · answer #5 · answered by ineeddonothing 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Massage is wonderful for your body. It is also beneficial for the mind and emotions.
However, "Can MT Heal a person?" No, not generally. It may make a person more comfortable while the body heals itself, but it is not directly responsible for healing.
"Can MT cure certain illnesses?" No, none that I am aware of. There is no scientific evidence of MT curing anything.
2006-10-23 03:47:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Massage feels good but there is no scientific evidence that it actually helps any diseases.
I'm sure you will get a ton of responses mainly from those involved with the huge and lucrative massage "industry", extolling the virtues of their work. However, I would challenge any of them to show you any scientific research which has validated any health claims for massage.
2006-10-22 08:59:24 · answer #7 · answered by john j 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes but He has given His power over to the Church. We now are His Body and He has designated His power and authority over to the Believers in Him. Here are your proofs Luke 9:1 [ Sending Out the Twelve ] Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. John 14:12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. Mark 16:15-21 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Acts 1:6-8, Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” I can give you plenty more proofs that Jesus has given His Power and authority over to the believers in Him. It is time that believers do the works of Christ and be the CHRIST-ians to the world..
2016-03-13 04:30:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Massage therapy is a good temporary measure but it has no long term effects. I find I need another massage the day after I have had one.
2006-10-22 16:08:10 · answer #9 · answered by ironchain15 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
massage is the one best thing you can do for your body. It is also beneficial for the mind and emotions.
2006-10-22 09:25:58 · answer #10 · answered by forevertru9 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋