Massage can help achieve wellness
Q:I have all sorts of aches and pains from being over 55 years old. My friends all recommend massage. Is it really beneficial or just an indulgence? — L. Rodriguez, Denver
A: Massage was used in ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in the earliest civilizations in China, Japan, Egypt and India. Once considered an "alternative" medicine, massage therapy is recommended by many medical professionals to patients suffering from anxiety, sciatica, fibromyalgia, stress, athletic injury and general soreness. According to the Mayo Clinic, massage has also been found to be helpful for those undergoing cancer treatments to ease their anxiety, pain and fatigue.
"Massage" is the abbreviated term for what is, more appropriately, massage therapy. There are more than 80 types of massage therapy (Swedish, Shiatsu, Thai, and Trigger Point Therapy are some), all with specific applications and methods for treatment. In general, a massage therapist will use many techniques to rub, press and manipulate muscle and soft tissue in order to relieve pain and stress.
