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Massage Therapy
Massage therapy, one of the oldest methods in healthcare practice, is the scientific manipulation of the soft body tissues to relax muscles and return tissues to their normal
state. Massage consists of a group of manual techniques that include applying fixed or moving pressure and holding and causing the body to move. Primarily the hands are used, but sometimes forearms, elbows, and feet are also used.
These techniques can affect the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic, and nervous systems. Massage therapy encompasses the concept of "vis medicatrix naturae" - helping the body heal itself - and is aimed at achieving or increasing
health and well-being. Touch is the fundamental medium of massage therapy.
Uses/Research Base: Massage
therapy techniques include Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, sports
massage, neuromuscular massage, and manual lymph drainage. Other physical
healing methods include reflexology, zone therapy, tuina, acupressure,
Rolfing, Trager, Feldenkrais method and Alexander technique.
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