I am quite hesitant to have a massage. What is the best massage for a first timer like me?

Question

What types of massage can I choose from? Tips, precations and other necessary details in massage therapy and how it is being practiced especially in the Philippines, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

THE BASICS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

MASSAGE 101

(WITH EMPHASIS ON THE PHILIPPINES)

This article/report is not intended to replace any seminar, workshop or training that are being taught by schools, associations, trainers, etc. but is intended to give a glimpse of massage therapy and present it in its most basic context. As part of alternative medicine, it should be accepted with an open heart and mind. As in all my writings, it is presented in a contemporary style and format with a focus on the Philippines and how it is practiced here. Therefore, not dogmatic in itself.

Ano ba talaga ang masahe? Bakit ba nauuso ang pagpapamasage? At ano ba talaga ang mga benepisyo nito? Masarap bang magpamasahe? Okay, first let us go back to the history of massage and what massage was. Massage is the simplest and oldest form of medical care. Professional therapeutic massage is an age-old healing art, which alleviates physical, mental and emotional ailments. The practice dates back to the Chinese in 3000 BC. Other references in the Bible refer to anointing the body with oil. In 460 BC Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine prescribed it as a beneficial treatment for his patients. Instinctively, we humans respond to pain by rubbing or pressing the area. Di ba pag nauntog ka hinahaplos mo agad o minamasahe unti-unti ang parte na nauntog? So instinct na talaga natin ang mag-massage especially Filipinos. We are gifted when it comes to touch therapy. Isa ito sa ating mga talents or gifts na bigay ng Poong Maykapal. The Philippines has a lot of indigenous therapies to be proud of including Tapik kawayan or bamboo tapping, Dagdagay (a form of foot massage) and more. Definitely, Filipinos excel in the area of touch therapy.

According naman to PD 856 Chapter XIII of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Republic of the Philippines: massage is a method wherein the superficial soft parts of the body are being rubbed or stroked or kneaded or tapped for remedial, aesthetic or hygienic purposes. It also includes the practice of reflexology, synchrotherapy, physical therapy, and other similar techniques that use instruments and/or other parts of the body. So ang masahe ay isang napaka generalized term to indicate that muscles are being manipulated mostly for the purpose of relaxation. Sometimes for therapy purposes. Kaya marami tayong nakikitang mga spa na nag-o-offer ng massage at mga home massage services.

What are the benefits ng massage? Marami and I will only name a few (I will not explain and delve into every single detail, suffice to know that these are the benefits, pros or advantages of getting a massage):

 It improves blood circulation and the flow of tissue fluid

 It helps stimulate the flow of nutrients and oxygen to tissues

 It lowers the heart and pulse rate

 It detoxifies the body systems

 Hasten excretion of waste products

 Assist in weight loss

 With the right oils, massage nourishes the skin

 Promotes repair and renewal of body cells

 Improves muscle tone

 Soothes and relaxes the nerves and aching muscles

 Relieves stress and has a relaxing effect

 Relieves pain in certain conditions

 Creates a feeling of well-being

So as you can see napaka raming benefits ng massage. Unfortunately, there are also many medical conditions in which massage is not appropriate. The body is being compromised by these conditions and massage may worsen the situation. If you are not sure, check with your doctor before having a massage. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Below are some tips, precautions and contraindications of massage:

 Edema or pagmamanas- hindi tayo pwedeng mag massage sa area na grabe ang swelling, edema or pagmamanas. This is due to the fact na, there might be an underlying cause to this edema and as massage therapists, we do not want to aggravate the situation. It is better if the client consults first a physician.

 Fever- hindi pwedeng whole body massage kung may fever. If you have headaches and fever, a light, gentle massage on the forehead that will just relieve the pain, can be tolerated but I do not recommend whole body massage. Lalo na sa may lagnat at trangkaso since you will be subjecting the client’s body working overtime in order to counteract any toxin effects at the same time excrete them. We do not want to overwork the body as it is at the same time, the fever might be caused by an infection. Until that infection is being addressed to, I would like to advice to refrain from a whole body massage.

 Bruising or hematoma or pasa- It is better not to touch the bruised area.

 Broken Bones- of course common sense, huwag galawin ang may pilay BUT in some cases, yung may pilay ay nagagamot ng “hilot”. As I told you in my first paragraph, I do not want to be dogmatic. There are some medical conditions na hindi pwede sa massage pero pwede sa “hilot”. It’s up to your discretion.

 Various heart conditions like high blood- kung high blood ka hindi ka pwede magpa masahe. This is a no-no. Especially pag mataas talaga ang reading ng blood pressure mo.

 Varicose veins- especially yung talagang galit na galit. Please do not put too much pressure on varicose veins baka pumutok yan.

 Never massage directly on infected skin- example, where there are warts, herpes, boils or where there is inflammation (pamamaga), unexplained lumps (hindi maipaliwanag na bukol), bruises and cuts.

 Pag pregnant- Although there is what we call pregnancy, maternal or prenatal massage, massage is best avoided during the first three months of pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage is highest.

 Pag may period, menstruation (regla)- yung ibang western thought pwedeng magpa massage kahit may menstruation, ako, I personally discourage it because as females, we sometimes have the tendency na maging prone sa hematoma or mag bruise during our monthly period. Also your period might stop after the massage session and we do not want that since ang monthly period is considered dumi ng katawan at dapat ilabas.

 Do not eat heavy right before a massage

 It is advisable not to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, take a bath or expose yourself to cold right after a massage as this will alter the temperature of your body and shock your systems. Thus, will not be good for the over all well-being. As much as possible, hot beverages like “ginger tea or salabat” or warm water is advisable rather than drink “iced tea”. Bakit mahalagang hot or warm? Because after a massage, your body has been exposed to heat and the last thing you do not want to do is expose yourself immediately to cold temperature. Na-sho-shock din ang katawan so give it time to adjust. Kaya yung mga matatanda may tinatawag na “lamig” (or what is scientifically referred to as nodules). There could be some truth in it, kasi nga naman pag galling sa mainit ine-expose natin ang katawan agad sa malamig eh di talagang yung mga pores natin mag-tra-trap ng lamig sa katawan dahil open sila due to exposure to warmth. Kahit naman sino hindi maganda ang sudden changes of temperature di ba?

 Be open to your massage therapist- if you feel any discomfort say so, if the speed of movement, pressure or technique needs to be changed say so and feel free to give feedbacks. Huwag mong tiisin kung nasasaktan ka na. When asked about any health-related information give your therapist accurate health information, do not withhold anything that is worthy of mentioning.

 Be informed that massage has its greatest benefits over time. So, the more regular your massage is, the better you will feel in due time and the more quickly the body will respond to the therapy. For general preventive health maintenance, a 60-minute massage every two weeks or at least once every fifteen days is the ideal frequency. In cases of specific problems or dysfunction, more often is recommended (one every four days at the most), until an appropriate outcome of achieved.

When it comes to legalities naman ano ang dapat mong malaman? Okay, so in the Philippines, PD 856 of Chapter XIII Sec. 9.1.1 states that no person is authorized to practice massage in the Philippines without holding a valid certificate of registration for masseur issued by the Committee of Examiners for Masseurs and approved by the Secretary of Health. Meaning, if we are to be technical and dogmatic, hindi pwedeng mag massage ang isang tao if you are not licensed. Especially kung ito ang iyong source of income. I also have a similar article on how to be a Licensed Massage Therapist and it is found in the following links:

http://howlicensedmassagetherapistphilip...





http://www.helium.com/items/1031069-lice...





http://www.ehow.com/how_2118585_be-licen...





http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Tk_Fcgoob...

But it doesn’t mean na kung hindi licensed ang iyong massage therapist ay hindi na siya magaling. Hindi rin ibig sabihin na kung may license yung iyong massage therapist ay magaling siya mag masahe. Marami tayong magagaling na nag-ma-massage but they are not licensed. The best self-regulation here is for the massage therapist to know and asses the client well and adopt certain techniques in massage that would help the client and not harm them. Yun lang. Generally naman ang massage is non-invasive eh so no worries. We do not need to worry as massage has been used centuries and centuries ago.

There are also more than 400++ types of massage and we will only discuss yung mga pinaka-common. There are massage therapies that differs in:

1. Pressure - may madiin, may magaan, may medium pressure lang

2. Techniques- may inaapakan, may binubuhat, may ini-i-stretch, atbp.

3. And History- depende sa country of origin

4. As well as differentiation in the type of lubricant that massage therapists use. Sometimes, they use oil, cream, gel, lotio

Answer 2

As far as the benefits of massage there is no research to support most of those that are listed on many websites and the benefits will have little meaning to someone.

Why are you seeking a massage?  Stress?  Pain?

You answers are best provided by the person who you choose to give you a massage.  Ask your friends for a referral.  Ask someone you trust for a referral.

Choose someone close to your home or where you are going.  Choose someone who guarantees their work.  

There are over 250 different types of massage that we are aware of in the US.  Who knows what is available in the Phillipines.

Answer 3

If you are embarrassed about taking off clothes or having someone touch you, try a shiatsu massage. You can leave clothes on and it feels great.

Or, ask just for your back to be massaged. It's a non threatening area to have massaged, relaxes you, and you will feel wonderful after it.

Can just have feet massaged as well if you are shy. makes you feel like you are walking on air afterwards.