What is Massage Therapy? Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of a person's soft tissues by a trained therapist.

According to The American Massage Therapy Association, massage therapy is being done by rubbing, kneading, pushing, long and short hand strokes and pressure. It is also consider as the oldest healing method in the ancient times and it was mentioned in the medical books made by Hippocrates, the father of medicine. What is the purpose of Massage Therapy? For Relaxation Treat muscle tension, sport injuries and pain It can lower blood pressure Relieves stiffness Improve blood circulation Types of Massage Therapy: Swedish Neuromuscular Therapy Deep Tissue Sports Massage Chair Massage Shiatsu Massage Thai Massage Hot Stone Massage Reflexology Pregnancy Massage 4 Common Strokes Effleurage: Smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue

Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand Health Benefits of Massage: Promotes good blood circulation Relieves pressures in the pressure areas like buttocks, back, and shoulder Promotes relaxation to the point that reduces anxiety and depression. Relieves migraines and back pains. Decreases Blood Pressure Risks and Contraindications: Cancer Fractured or broken bones Blood clots Burns Lesions Certain forms of arthritis and osteoporosis Skin diseases Uncontrolled high blood pressure Client who have taken meals yet Chair Massage Chair massages are done while you're seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a

massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands. Step-by-Step Chair Massage Upper Back & Arms Start your chair massage with compression and stroking through the upper back. Address the shoulders with kneading and deep pressure strokes along the trapezius, along the scapula and working through the deltoids. This should take one minute to 90 seconds per shoulder. Move down the second shoulder to the upper arm, using shaking and kneading strokes upward from the elbow to the shoulder. Feel free to move the arm off the armrest during this phase. Spend about half a minute on the upper arm before moving to the lower arm and hand. Grasp the hand and elevate the arm forward, allowing you to move down from the wrist to the elbow with stroking movements. Stretch the hand and pull gently on the fingers before shaking the arm lightly and returning the arm to the armrest. Maintain contact with the client as you move across the shoulders to repeat the sequence on the other arm. This should take a total of five minutes out of a 10-minute routine.

Lower Back & Hips Maintain contact as you move to the lower back and hips. Using light to moderate compression strokes, apply pressure to the lower back. Use caution that you do not press too hard, as the kidneys and internal organs are not protected by bony structures like the rib cage. Stroke from the lower ribs to the hips, remembering to use the deeper pressure strokes when moving in towards the spine or upwards towards the heart. When you get to the hips, direct pressure to the hips (iliac crest) feels good and provides some stretch for the back muscles. Work along the muscles, moving inward along the iliac crest toward the spine. Move down into the upper gluteal area and repeat, working to the sacrum. This should take three minutes total. Neck and Head Maintain contact as you move up the spine to the neck. Using light to moderate kneading, work the muscles along the sides and back of the neck, from the shoulder to the base of the skull and below the ears. Pay special attention to the small muscles at the base of the

skull before working into the head. Using fingertip strokes, run across the scalp from forehead to neck. A zig-zag movement with the fingers can be done here, and often provides extra stimulation to the scalp as well as invigorating the client. This should be one minute to 90 seconds long. Complete the massage with several long strokes from the shoulders to the hips, a sort of conclusion stroke before

PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA

COLLEGE OF NURSING
3/F Marikina Science High School Building, Greenheights Subdivision Phase I, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, Philippines (02) 384-7292 plmar_registrar@yahoo.com

MASSAGE THERAPY:
CHAIR MASSAGE

Prepared by: Edwin B. Arce Jr. BSN 401 Group 2 Mrs. Marites Pasion, RN,MAN Clinical Instructor