Massage Therapy Overview

Therapeutic massage, manipulating body tissue with the hands, heals muscles and promotes better circulation. First used over 3,000 years ago by the Chinese, massage therapy was a mainstay among other ancient cultures, including the Greeks, Japanese, Egyptians, Romans and Arabs. A Swedish gymnastics instructor, Per Henrik Ling, developed modern massage therapy in the early 19th century. The Swedish method combined exercise with massage to treat joint and muscle pain. In the 1850s, George and Charles Taylor, two brothers who studied massage in Sweden, brought this method to the U.S. Today it is a common treatment technique.

Three types of hand movements are used by massage therapists. Stroking, which can be light or hard, is meant to relax muscles and improve circulation. Compression—including kneading, squeezing and friction—stretches muscles and tendons to facilitate movement. Percussion, repeatedly striking the massage point with the sides of the hands, improves circulation. Massage therapy is effective for patients who suffer a range of conditions from arthritis to paralysis. It is often used to relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Massage Therapists in Portland

Stephanie Glass LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"I would be honored to create a massage especially for you. I feel that each massage should be unique for each person. I have been in practice since 1999 and have gained ..." See full profile	6555 N Fenwick Avenue Portland, Oregon 97217 (503) 880-8905
Alix Sheppard Marro BA, LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"I am trained in a variety of modalties, including Swedish, deep tissue, reflexology, pregnancy massage, aromatherapy, and chair massage. I often include gentle stretching for those of you who work behind a ..." See full profile	499 Stevens Ave. # 203 Portland, Maine 04103 (978) 314-0554
Elizabeth Jackson LMT, RMT Massage Therapist	send email
"If you are under constant STRESS and you are seeking relief from chronic PAIN such as Back Pain, Headaches, TMJ, Shoulder & Neck Pain, Arthritis, Hot Flashes, Sciatica, or Muscle Tension & ..." See full profile	94 Auburn Street Suite 106 Portland, Maine 04103 (207) 878-3003
David Jacob LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"I have been in practice for over 7 years professionally and have received excellent training in several specific modalities. " See full profile	2534 SE 35th Ave. Portland, Oregon 97202 (503) 522-5550
Kate M. Zahorodni LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"My client base ranges from people with chronic pain and injuries, to people who are just looking to clear their mind from the stresses in life! I do specialize in Swedish, Deep ..." See full profile	234 Main St. Portland, Connecticut 06480 (860) 575-9037
Jessie Thompson LMT, CA Massage Therapist	send email
"Have you accepted pain as a part of your daily life? Do you want to feel your best AND have the ability to perform at your best? Massage may be exactly what you ..." See full profile	SE Woodstock Blvd Portland, Oregon 97206 (971) 506-8213
Gina C James LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"Gina draws upon her expertise as a licensed massage therapist, Reiki master and Spiritual Director to gently guide people to reconnect with their inner wisdom, creativity and joy. Gina"s work transforms challenged ..." See full profile	2538 NE Broadway Suite C Portland, Oregon 97232 (503) 282-8600

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