Massage therapy has been practiced since the 400 B.C. Hippocrates, the “father of medicine,” referred to massage when he wrote: “The physician must be acquainted with many things, and assuredly with rubbing.” Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing.
Massage therapy, sometimes referred to as bodywork, includes the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibration, rocking, friction, kneading, and compression using primarily the hands, although massage therapists do use other areas of the body, such as the forearms, elbows, or feet.
The Registered Massage Therapists’ Association (RMTBC) is non-profit Association for Registered Massage Therapists in British Columbia.
RMTs in BC are trained in the assessment and diagnosis of soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of injury, pain and physical disorders. They are also dedicated to treating your symptoms of pain and dysfunction, including the underlying causes.
RMTBC describes massage therapy as a modality that decreases stress and helps control pain. All of the techniques are used for the benefit of the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. In fact, massage therapy positively influences the overall health and well-being of the client by:
- accelerates recovery from injuries and illness
- assists in mental relaxation
- calms the nervous system
- encourages restful sleep
- improves skin tone
- increases concentration
- lowers heart rate
- promotes flexibility and range of motion
- reduces blood pressure
- reduces chronic pain
- reduces mental stress
- reduces tension headaches
- relaxes the whole body
- relaxes tight muscles
- relieves tired and aching muscles
- strengthens the immune system