Massage therapy

1. What are the reflexive effects of massage therapy?
2. What are the mechanical effects of massage therapy?
3. What are contraindications to massage?
4. How do the common techniques of massage differ?

Answers:
1. Reflexive effects include reflex vasodilation with improved circulation, decreased pain through opiate release, relaxation, perspiration.
2. Mechanical effects include assisting venous blood return from periphery to CNS, increase lympathic drainage, decrease muscle tightness, prevents or breaks adhesions, softens scars, loosens secretions.
3. Contraindications include massage over malignancy, open wounds, infection, burns, nerve entrapment, acute inflammatory conditions (gout, RA, cellulits, DVT), severe varicose veins, severe clotting disorder.
4. Effleurage is a gliding movement of the skin w/o deep muscle movement, for muscle relaxation. Petrissage is kneading, which increases circulation and reduces edema. Tapotement is percussion, which helps with desensitization and improves circulation and clearing of secretions. Friction massage breaks adheasion and reduces local muscle spasm. Soft tissue mobilization is forceful massage of the fascia-muscle system for reduction in contractures. Myofascial release is prolonged light pressure in specific directions to stretch focal areas of muscle or fascial tightness. Accupressure is finger pressure applied over trigger points or acupuncture points.