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 Seattle

Michael J Jacobus CTP, LMP Massage Therapist	send email
"I enjoy working with clients who seek more ease and freedom in their bodies. Helping clients find more ease in their everyday lives is a real joy for me. " See full profile	2366 Eastlake Ave E Suite 439 Seattle, Washington 98102 (206) 949-1489
Aletheia Oliver MA Massage Therapist	send email
"My best regards to your overall health wellness beings into relaxation environment including hot stones, aromas, dimming room. Also I have specialized on client's problem areas such as neck/shoulders, lowback and feet " See full profile	1523 E Madison Street Room 5 Seattle, Washington 98122 (866) 572-9623
Therese A Henning LMP, LE Massage Therapist	send email
"Therese Henning, owner of The Body Bar has been a massage therapist for over 10 years. She graduated from the New York Institute of Massage in 1997. She specializes in deep-tissue and ..." See full profile	4156 California Ave SW Seattle, Washington 98116 (206) 938-2639
Ellen Parker Massage Therapist	send email
"After extensive research and dissection of the human body during my undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from the University of Colorado, I went on to massage school in Washington. My understanding of the ..." See full profile	1800 NW Market St Suite 200 Seattle, Washington 98107 (206) 781-9541
Jessica and Michelle DeShayes LMT Massage Therapist	send email
"Our mission is to provide the highest quality of massage and body treatments that will leave you feeling like heaven. We believe massage reconnects mind and spirit with the body and increases ..." See full profile	5963 SW Carroll Street Seattle, Washington 98116 (206) 387-3944
Kay Rynerson LMP, RTT Massage Therapist	send email
"My ideal client is someone who is reliable, on time, communicative and clear about his/her needs so that I can meet them and who respects my time as much as I respect ..." See full profile	326 North 78th Street Seattle, Washington 98103 (206) 633-4718
Michelle L. DeShayes LMP Massage Therapist	send email
"My ideal client is one that is all about their health and vitality. They know that massage is a way of keeping their mind, body and soul clear, focused, relaxed and ready ..." See full profile	5963 SW Carroll Street Seattle, Washington 98116 (206) 387-3944
Kathryn Clark LMP Massage Therapist	send email
"Are you looking for alternative means to correct muscular/skeletal abberations? I offer you the opportunity to try OMI Muscular Integration. I have practiced this technique since 1987 with success. I prefer to ..." See full profile	1402 3rd Ave Ste 1428 Seattle, Washington 98101 (206) 623-1391
Janice E McClure Ncbtmb Massage Therapist	send email
"Effective deep tissue and injury treatment massage are my specialties. If you want to feel a difference and experience relief I would love to help! Any depth of massage you prefer is here on ..." See full profile	300 NW 80th Street Unit A Seattle, Washington 98117 (206) 730-5454
Carl Anderson LMP Massage Therapist	send email
"I work with all types of clients, from those seeking pampering to those seeking relief from debilitating pain. However, my own experiences overcoming debilitating pain have given me a gift in addressing ..." See full profile	1916 Harvard Ave. E. Seattle, Washington 98102 (206) 323-0945

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