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 Sacramento

Stephani Cooney Massage Therapist	send email
"I appreciate the practical application of massage to address the everyday stresses of life as well as the need for particular pain relief and assistance with soreness, injury, headaches, muscle strain, aching ..." See full profile	1909 Capitol Ave. Suite 303 Sacramento, California 95814 (916) 600-2804
Sharon Araki CMT Massage Therapist	send email
"For those of you in pain due to physical and/or emotional injury and have had little or no relief from your medical community, consider the holistic, therapeutic effects of bodywork. I have ..." See full profile	3560 J Street Suite 4 Sacramento, California 95816 (916) 205-7654

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