Massage Isn’t Pampering, It’s Healing!

For over nine years I’ve worked as a certified massage therapist, which has been a real blessing in my life. I’ve  found a profession that I have a deep passion for. It has given me purpose, as well as some wonderful friendships.  Being a massage therapist is incredibly rewarding, certainly challenging at times, but also emotionally nourishing. 

As a massage therapist, like other body practitioners, you’re in the great position of being able to help another  person. This puts you in an incredibly privileged position because you have the ability to make a real,  fundamental difference to another person’s life, be it physically, mentally or emotionally.  

Over the years I’ve noticed that there’s a rather strong perception that having a massage is something to do  occasionally, when you want to simply relax and be pampered! Whilst massage can offer this experience, this  represents a fraction of what this powerful therapy has given mankind for thousands of years.

Because at its  core, massage is healing via touch, a practice that is perhaps needed now more than ever, as we are increasingly living in a touch-starved society where we are more focused on the “wonders” of digital devices than spending  time connecting with each other. 

If we go back in time, you will see the value placed on this profession.  

Massage Through the Ages

In ancient Egypt, massage was documented as playing an important role in treating medical conditions such as  muscular pain. In the Kahun Medical Papyrus, which is dated back to the twelfth dynasty (1991 – 1802 BC), a  woman was suffering from pain in her legs and calves, and it stated that “You should treat it with massage of  her legs and calves with mud until she is well.” 1  According to Ancient Egypt Online, “During the New Kingdom, depictions of the battle of Kadesh (1274 BC)  show the soldiers of Ramesses II receiving a much-needed massage treatment following their long march”2 

The Egyptians also believed that massage brought balance and healing to the body’s life force, “ka”. 

In ancient China, one of the key uses of massage was to bring balance to “Qi” and the body’s blood. They viewed  Qi as the vital life force that travels through all living things. A person’s physical or mental health was governed  by Qi. Massage helped balance flow through the meridians (energy pathways). This was critical to achieving good  health because any blockages would cause disease. Massage would unblock Qi, and therefore help prevent  disease, restore energy balance, and bring about enhanced well-being.  

Massage was also used to prevent or treat musculoskeletal injuries. The Huangdi Neijing, 3 an ancient Chinese  medical text on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), makes reference to massage as a critical therapy in balancing Qi and blood flow. The use of massage in ancient Rome was widespread, and was applied in their public bath houses, as well as in  the private homes of wealthy Romans who had their own live-in personal massage therapists.

Prominent  physicians such as Galen (129 – c.216 AD) advocated the use of massage alongside the use of exercise and diet to maintain one’s health and general wellbeing. This approach was in fact first advocated by Hippocrates, the Greek physician and philosopher (460 - c.370 BC). Like Galen after him, Hippocrates also advocated the use of massage to support athletic performance, and to aid recovery – sounds familiar! 

Thankfully, our ancient ancestors had the knowledge and wisdom to recognise the healing value of touch and  massage. 

Modern Science and the Power of Touch

Today with the advances in science, we have taken that understanding and knowledge even further. It’s been  shown to have an impact at the earliest stages of a child’s development. 

On our skin are what are called C-Tactile (CT) Fibres, which are a special group of nerve fibres located in the hairy  parts of our skin. These fibres respond positively to being stroked at a particular speed and pressure, which leads  to the recipient, in this case a baby or child, feeling calm, relaxed, and closer to the parent. Extraordinarily, it has  been discovered that these fibres play a critical role, especially in the very early stages of a child’s life, in social  and emotional development. 

A study at the University of Milan-Bicocca in 2021 found that 7-month-old babies (who were stroked) who were  exposed to an angry face were less likely to turn away from that face, compared to those other babies in the  study who were squeezed. 

“It seems that gentle stroking helped the babies be more confident in exploring the social world around them,  even when it seemed scary. CT touch influenced how infants responded to the emotions of others.”4 

As I said, this form of interaction between the parent and child can influence how that child navigates the  complexities around human social interaction in later life. 

A fascinating 20-year study conducted by Reichman University found that mothers who were able to be physically  close to their babies after birth, were later more socially in sync with their children, compared to those whose  children were in an incubator. This study also found that these same children, as young adults, had different  empathetic responses to other people, compared to those babies who started life in an incubator. 

“Early tactile interactions contributed to empathy responses towards strangers two decades later. A staggering demonstration of the powerful impact that touch throughout development can have on our social  world.”5 

I think that's incredible! 

Another study looked at the impact that massage has on the growth rates of pre-term infants (babies born before  37 weeks of a pregnancy). Babies were given 15-minute massages, twice a day for two weeks. At the end of the  test period, the researchers found that the massaged babies gained more weight, were taller and had a greater  head circumference than those babies that did not receive a massage.  

In 2016, the peer-reviewed journal, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, included an article titled  “Massage Therapy Research Review” which looked at a large number of trials and studies assessing the impact  massage had on a variety of very serious conditions. In summary it found that: 

“Massage therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on many different groups and conditions  including prenatal depression, pre-term infants, full-term infants, autism, skin conditions, pain syndromes  including arthritis and fibromyalgia, hypertension, autoimmune conditions including asthma and multiple  sclerosis, immune conditions including HIV and breast cancer and aging problems including Parkinson's and  dementia.” 4

How Massage Supports Everyday Health

To illustrate how particular massages can help us through our daily lives. Below I've selected just four  treatments outlining the benefits they provide, as well as the medical conditions that they can help treat or  resolve. 

Deep Tissue Massage The Benefits: 

• Chronic pain relief 

• Injury rehabilitation by supporting the healing process 

• Supports the circulatory system 

• Reduces stress 

• Emotional release 

• Deep relaxation 

• Reduces muscle tension and tightness 

• Helps remove scar tissue and knots 

• Improves joint range of motion 

• Increases flexibility 

• Helps improve posture 

• Reduces blood pressure 

• Aids sleeping, and 

• Helps to improve your state of mind  

Some of the conditions that deep tissue massage can help: 

• Musculoskeletal problems such as postural concerns, muscle tension, tendon strains or ligament  sprains 

• Chronic pain issues either in the lower back, neck, shoulders, hip or general muscle soreness • Injuries stemming from repetitive use such as Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow), Patellofemoral Pain  Syndrome (Runners Knee), Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow), Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splints, Carpal  Tunnel Syndrome, Subacromial Pain or Iliotibial Band Syndrome 

• The breaking down of scar tissue (adhesions) that can be formed either from injury or surgery. This can result in increased flexibility and the improved visual appearance of the scar tissue 

• Sciatica 

• Scoliosis 

• Hypertension 

• Osteoarthritis as it helps reduce the pain and the stiffness linked to the illness, and • Sleep deprivation brought on by tension 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

The Benefits: 

• The flow of lymph is increased into and from the lymphatic system 

• Keeps the lymph fluid moving through the vessels and glands 

• Bolsters the body’s immune system by stimulating the lymphatic system 

• It is deeply relaxing as it has a calming impact on the nervous system, which in turn relieves stress and  tension 

• Assists in clearing blockages in the system 

• Helps eliminate metabolic wastes and toxins from the body 

• Helps transport nutrients to cells 

• Supports metabolic efficiency, which in turn helps in the reduction of excess fluid in the body, and  subsequently water weight

• It improves the appearance of the skin, reduces puffiness, and boosts the production of collagen so it’s  an excellent addition to a facial treatment 

Some of the conditions that Manual Lymphatic Drainage can help include: 

• Lymphedema: This is localised swelling in the body usually caused by the accumulation of lymph. This  may happen after cancer surgery, such as breast cancer, where lymph nodes have either been removed  or have been damaged 

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: This occurs when the valves in the veins are not working properly leading  to blood not pumping back to the heart. Swelling, as well as other conditions may occur. MLD helps  reduce the swelling and improve circulation 

• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks  the synovium which is the joint lining. This causes swelling, pain and stiffness. MLD helps reduce these  symptoms by improving lymphatic circulation and the inflammation 

• Lipedema: A condition where you have excessive fat build-up usually in the legs which leads to the  lymphatic pathways being blocked  

• Fibromyalgia: This is a chronic condition that causes fatigue, all-over body pain, cognitive issues and  sleep problems. MLD helps to relieve these problems by activating the lymphatic system thereby  reducing inflammation, calming the nervous system and detoxifying tissues 

• Post-Operative Swelling: Following cosmetic surgery for example liposuction or Vaser. The MLD reduces  swelling, pain and inflammation 

• Pregnancy-Related Edema: With this condition, swelling normally occurs in the feet, ankles, legs and  hands due to hormonal changes, higher body fluids, and higher pressure levels from the uterus onto  the veins. The stimulation of the lymphatic system by MLD reduces these symptoms with the added  benefit of making the mother more relaxed and cleansed via the detoxification process brought on by  the MLD 

• It enhances the effectiveness of more specific treatments performed by other body practitioners such  as Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths 

• It can help release trapped nerves 

• Helps improve posture, which in turn can improve respiratory function by reversing the compression, or crowding, of the lungs and 

• Supports decongestion in the lungs and rib areas 

Healing Facial Massage

The Benefits: 

• Softer, smoother skin 

• Improved skin tone 

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles 

• Boosts the production of collagen and elastin. This helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines • Cell renewal is stimulated 

• Skin becomes firmer, less saggy 

• Reduced puffiness resulting from the removal of toxins due to the lymphatic drainage

• Skin is more vibrant, refreshed, and rejuvenated - healthier 

• Improved muscle tone lifts the surface skin 

• Reduced facial muscle tension, leaving the face feeling more mobile  

• The reduction of tension improves mental well-being and induces a relaxed state; and

• Other tension-related conditions, such as headaches, or painful jaws can be resolved 

Some of the conditions that a Facial Massage can help include the following: 

Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJ): This condition occurs when there is dysfunction and pain in the  joint of the jaw and the surrounding muscles. TMJ Disorder can be caused by stress, grinding of teeth,  arthritis or an injury to the jaw. The symptoms associated with this condition are pain in the jaw,  restricted jaw movement, clicking sounds, and headaches. A face massage relaxes the facial muscles, and in doing this, reduces the tension, tightness, pain, and the other symptoms linked to this condition 

• Tension Headaches & Migraines: As a migraine sufferer I know that this condition can be debilitating.  One of the treatments I use to help alleviate the pain is a targeted facial massage on my forehead.  Others may find treating the jaw or temples more beneficial 

• Sinus Congestion: This is where the nose is blocked due to sinus inflammation which results in pressure  and pain being felt in the face. A massage on the sinus cavities helps to clear built-up mucus, and reduces  the pain felt 

• Scar Tissue Management: Scar tissue can result from an injury, surgery or illness. A massage over the  scar will increase blood flow which will support the healing process, and improve the appearance of the  scar by flattening any associated bumps 

• Facial Edema: This is fluid retention in the face which can be caused by stress, hormonal changes, diet,  allergies, or some medications. Manual Lymphatic Drainage is the perfect treatment for addressing the  excess facial fluid build-up 

• Poor Posture: The relaxing of the facial and neck muscles can help to reduce the structural tension  causing or contributing to bad posture 

Sports Massage

The Benefits: 

• Muscle Tension Relief 

• Faster Muscle Recovery 

• Reduced Muscle Soreness and Stiffness 

• Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion 

• Injury Prevention Support 

• Enhanced Sports Performance 

• Supports Injury Rehabilitation  

Some of the injuries / conditions that a sports massage can help include: 

• Piriformis Syndrome: This is a neuromuscular condition where the sciatic nerve is irritated or  compressed by the piriformis muscle which is either tight or gone into spasm. The disorder results in  pain in the gluteal which can radiate and travel down the leg with a tingling or numbness sensation. A  massage can help relieve the underlying cause, and therefore, eliminate the pain 

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome: This is an overuse injury where you have repeated friction of the Iliotibial  Band (ITB) as it goes over the lateral epicondyle of the femur. As part of the rehabilitation process,  massage helps in the recovery of this painful condition by reducing the tightness of the key muscles  associated with the ITB 

• Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury: Here a ligament in the knee has either been over stretched or torn due to a force coming from the inside of the knee pushing it outwards. Following the initial rest period,  massaging the relevant muscles will enhance blood circulation, relieve surrounding soft tissue tension,  increase flexibility and support improved joint mobility 

• Plantar Fasciitis: This is inflammation of the Plantar Fascia due to repetitive stress or overuse resulting  in pain at the sole of the foot close to the heal. Massage reduces the tension and helps eliminate  troublesome knots leading to reduced pain and aiding the recovery process 

• Rotator Cuff Injuries: This is damage to the muscles and tendons that stabilise the shoulder which can  result in limited movement, weakness and pain. 

Sports massage, combined with other therapies, supports the recovery and healing process of these conditions,  leading to the elimination of pain and restored soft tissue function.

Final Thoughts 

I hope that this first blog topic of mine has helped to reset some people’s perception of what massage is. For  those of you who have avoided having a massage because of the negative connotations associated with being  pampered, I want you to know that this ancient profession, that was first recorded in the great civilisations across  Africa, the Middle East and Asia, over 4,500 years ago, is so much more than simply being a pampering treat, or  an indulgence. It should be a key feature in every person’s wellbeing programme.  

So, please, when you next think about having a massage, do it! It will be time and money well spent. The massage will enrich your health, give you much-needed space, and deepen your understanding of self.  

Thanks for reading! 

Much love! 

Alphonsus x Sources: 

1. Ancient Egypt Online  

(https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/massage/#:~:text=The%20Ancient%20Egyptians%20were% 20the,Tomb%20of%20the%20Physician%E2%80%9D). 

2. Ancient Egypt Online 

3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2287209/ 

4. When We Touch written by Michael Banissy published 2023 

5. When We Touch written by Michael Banissy published 2023 

6. Massage Therapy A Research Review 

(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5564319/#:~:text=8.9.&text=In%20one%20study %2C%20women%20with,the%20other%20confounds%20this%20comparison)