Chapter 11 - Massage

Question 1

When did the popularity of massage first wane?

Answer 1

1930s-1940s.

Question 2

Which state or province has the highest standards for massage training?

Answer 2

BC.

Question 3

What is massage therapy mostly used for?

Answer 3

Relaxation.

Question 4

What are the effects of massage therapy (according to its practitioners)?

Answer 4

Affects neuromuscular system, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Aids the body to heal itself. Human touch has a beneficial effect. Pain relief. Reduced anxiety and relaxation.

Question 5

How common is massage?

Answer 5

Massage is the most commonly used CAM in the USA.

Question 6

Trigger point therapy uses what paradigm?

Answer 6

Orthodox medicine.

Question 7

How many people use massage?

Answer 7

Over 100 million visits/year.

Question 8

Why is massage considered an alternative therapy?

Answer 8

There isn’t compelling evidence that it works because it’s very difficult to test.

Question 9

What type of massage has been used to perform abortions?

Answer 9

Southeast Asian Visceral Massage

Question 10

Where was Swedish Massage introduced?

Answer 10

New York.

Question 11

In Canada, where is massage regulated?

Answer 11

BC, ON, NL, NB

Question 12

When was interest in massage first renewed?

Answer 12

In the 1960s.

Question 13

What techniques does massage therapy use?

Answer 13

A range of techniques that mostly derive from Swedish Massage.

Question 14

What are the theoretical modes of action for massage therapy?

Answer 14

Blocking nociceptors or their signals. Stimulating release of neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin. Prevent the formation of scar tissues. Increase lymph flow. Improving sleep.

Question 15

How many types of massage are there?

Answer 15

Over 80 modalities.

Question 16

How would you test massage?

Answer 16

Testing massage is really difficult. Blinding is basically impossible.

Question 17

What conditions is there evidence for that massage helps?

Answer 17

Pain relief. Anxiety and depression. Temporary reduction in blood pressure and heart rate.

Question 18

Who is massage not recommended for?

Answer 18

People with deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), damaged blood vessels, and osteoporosis (and other bone weaknesses).

Question 19

Nurses used massage up until when?

Answer 19

1970s

Question 20

What is the origin of massage?

Answer 20

No single origin, arose in many cultures.

Question 21

What is medical massage called?

Answer 21

Massage therapy.

Question 22

What are the target tissues of massage?

Answer 22

Superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood and lymphatic vessels, and viscera.

Question 23

How are trigger points described?

Answer 23

Nodules within tight bands of muscle.

Question 24

When was Swedish Massage introduced?

Answer 24

Middle 1800s.

Question 25

What did nurses use to use massage for?

Answer 25

Pain relief and sleep.

Question 26

What alternative medical systems use massage?

Answer 26

Ayurvedic and TCM.

Question 27

Does therapeutic massage belong to the same paradigm as OM?

Answer 27

Yes.

Question 28

What is trigger point therapy supposed to do?

Answer 28

Deactive points that may cause local pain or refer pain to other parts of the body.

Question 29

Definition of ‘massage’

Answer 29

Manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue.