Massage has had gained a reputation for being a therapeutic activity and for good reason

Massage has had gained a reputation for being a therapeutic activity and for good reason. There have been many documented facts regarding its healing abilities ever since the ancient times. And as experts research more and more about it, they’ve come to certain realizations about how exactly it upholds the strength and resilience of the human body. But as with everything, massages do have their downsides. And whatever type you may like to patronize, you are bound to experience the following disadvantages once you abuse your access to them.

Schedule. One of the great benefits of this career is that the job is not your typical 9am-5pm. As a practitioner of massage therapy, you have a lot of flexibility concerning the hours you're available to work. If you open up your own private practice, you have total control over when you work. If you choose to work for someone else, you'll discover that many therapists work part-time. This will allow you to schedule your appointments in the evenings, or even on the weekends.

Mobility. You don't have to worry about being tied down to one specific area. Because there are so many places where a therapist can work, you have a lot of freedom in moving around and getting to experience the different work environments. Spas and medical facilities exist all across the country. You won't have any problems finding work, should you need to relocate.

Money. A job in this industry can be a very lucrative one. The money you can potentially earn depends on a number of factors. As mentioned previously, if you open your own practice and work for yourself, you can choose how much to charge for your services. Also, depending on how many different types of massage therapy (modalities) you specialize in, you can potentially earn more money. As a masseuse, you also have the opportunity to earn tips. As your experience and reputation go up, so too will your earnings.

Massage became widely used in Europe during the Renaissance

Scientific evidence on massage therapy is limited. Scientists are not yet certain what changes occur in the body during massage, whether they influence health, and, if so, how. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is sponsoring studies to answer these questions and identify the purposes for which massage may be most helpful. Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks if it is used appropriately and provided by a trained massage professional.

Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. Massage therapy dates back thousands of years. References to massage appear in writings from ancient China, Japan, India, Arabic nations, Egypt, Greece (Hippocrates defined medicine as "the art of rubbing"), and Rome.

Massage became widely used in Europe during the Renaissance. In the 1850s, two American physicians who had studied in Sweden introduced massage therapy in the United States, where it became popular and was promoted for a variety of health purposes. With scientific and technological advances in medical treatment during the 1930s and 1940s, massage fell out of favor in the United States. Interest in massage revived in the 1970s, especially among athletes.

Therapeutic massage can cost as much as $200 an hour in some markets in the United States. Since few traditional health insurance policies cover therapeutic massage services, individuals must pay these expenses out of pocket. The cost of a course of weekly treatments, often recommended in therapeutic massage, can be very high and hard on a limited budget.

Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes

Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, if you need or want a massage, you can choose from among 80 massage therapy styles with a wide variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. These all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Sometimes, even forearms, elbows, or feet are used..

Styles used in massage therapy range from long, smooth strokes to short, percussive strokes. Some massage therapists use oils and lotions; others do not. Most massage therapists have clients unclothe for a massage, but some do not. A massage can last anywhere from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Before you can decide which massage style is best for you, you need to ask yourself a question. Do you simply want a massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition? Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you're looking for and ask which style the therapist uses. Many use more than one style. Or the therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.

A lot of the scientific research on massage therapy is preliminary or conflicting, but much of the evidence points toward beneficial effects on pain and other symptoms associated with a number of different conditions. Much of the evidence suggests that these effects are short term and that people need to keep getting massages for the benefits to continue. In the United States, 44 states and the District of Columbia regulate massage therapists. Cities, counties, or other local governments also may regulate massage. Training standards and requirements for massage therapists vary greatly by state and locality.