Massage Therapy Residencies
Massage therapy has been used to relax and increase blood circulation for centuries. A well-trained massage therapist can supply several therapeutic benefits for his or her clients. The effects of massage treatments vary based on the individual characteristics of the patient. In general, however, massage can have very positive benefits for the body.
Medical massage has been proven to alleviate pain, improve mobility, reduce stress, and improve mood. Depending on the specific kind of massage, different techniques may include cupping, gentle rocking, pressing, rubbing or tapping. Medical massage may also relieve pain and inflammation for those with chronic medical conditions, including cancer, arthritis, joint problems or spinal cord injuries. According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), a regular massage can also help "relieve emotional stress and tension." Massage therapy offers many other health benefits for patients, including reducing the common effects of aging, boosting energy levels and mental awareness, reducing the chance of injury and even improving fertility sometimes.
One of the more popular therapeutic massage techniques is known as Swedish massage. Swedish massage is a form of massage that focuses on long strokes and gentle kneading motions. It's often used to relieve muscle tension, increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage, improve range of motion, and remove toxins from your system. Swedish massage is particularly useful for individuals with low back pain or other chronic muscle pain, as it can help strengthen and elongate the muscles of the body.
There are a variety of massage therapists who specialize in treating an assortment of requirements and providing therapeutic services. For instance, there are massage therapists working with athletes, individuals who have had strokes or are dealing with a traumatic event, and people who have neuromuscular disorders. Massage may be provided by a massage therapist or in a specialized center such as a sports medicine clinic. Therapists who provide specialized services in the field of sports medicine may also treat athletes who have been injured and not able to perform to their maximum potential as a result of this injury. Sports therapy clinics will often have therapists who specialize in a specific sport or body part.
There are other varieties of massage therapy that do not fall in the domain of sports medicine. For instance, a skilled acupuncturist can give an individual with several massage therapy benefits. Acupuncturists, as massage therapists are known, use their hands to apply pressure to certain regions of the body, which in turn, alleviates pain or reduces it. Aromatherapy is another type of therapeutic massage treatment that uses essential oils to give an individual having a calming effect.
The three most common therapeutic massage methods that are offered by licensed massage therapists are Swedish, deep tissue and sports massage. Each one exhibits unique advantages that are designed to help you enhance your wellbeing and well-being. While Swedish massage has been shown to be beneficial for individuals suffering from a great number of different ailments, including chronic pain, stress management and arthritis, deep tissue massages have been shown to reduce blood pressure and have favorable effects on the heart, joints and bones. Sports massage has been shown to be particularly helpful for athletes and people who are recovering from an injury.
If you're interested in obtaining a massage therapy certification, you can do so by attending one of the licensed massage therapy residency programs. During a residency program, you are going to study under a certified therapist for up to six months to be able to acquire the essential skills and knowledge to become certified. Most massage therapy residency programs are offered at universities or colleges that focus on a particular area of medicine. You can choose from four different areas in which to complete your residency program, such as pediatrics, cardiology, endocrinology and physiology.
Massage therapists who attend these residency programs have a number of job opportunities lined up for them after they have graduated. Once you've received your massage therapy certificate, you can work in numerous areas, including hospitals, clinics and spas, as well as in private, home offices and private families. Many massage therapists work in school gyms, schools, hospitals and homes to help people relax and handle pain. To find out more on massage therapy schools or programs, visit the Touch Research Institute.