Massage therapy is based on the fact that the soft tissues – muscles, ligaments, and fascia – respond to touch. Most pain is myofascial (soft tissue) in origin. Trigger points – sensitive points in muscles, which radiate or refer pain to various parts of the body can mimic many conditions. Muscles not only move joints, they stabilize them, and they provide armor for the internal organs. These functions cause more pain than people realize. Most headaches originate in the muscles of the neck and head.

Massage therapy is probably one of the most common methods of treating and preventing pain available today. It can provide relief from the symptoms of anxiety, tension, depression, insomnia, and stress, as well as back pain and some forms of chronic pain. It’s also frequently recommended for the treatment of minor sports injuries and repetitive stress injuries and for the enhancement of physical conditioning. Some people find that it even relieves such digestive disorders as constipation. It encourages healing by promoting the flow of blood and lymph, relieving tension, stimulating nerves and stretching and loosening muscles and connective tissue to keep them elastic.

Sources: American Massage Therapy Association, Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork

If you are interested in pursuing a career in therapeutic massage therapy, the School of Massage Therapy at Northwestern Health Sciences University offers two convenient certificate programs: the day program and the evening program. Visit our Web site at www.nwhealth.edu or call the Office of Admissions at (952/800) 888-4777, ext. 409.