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| Frequently Asked Questions about Massage and Complementary Therapy |
Question (Jane R, Loughborough): What is the difference between massage therapy and chiropractic?
Tanya replies: Chiropractic addresses the joints of the vertebrae in the spine. Massage therapy
addresses the soft tissues; that is, the muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. Most chiropractors
acknowledge that if muscles are too tight, adjustments either can't be done or will not last. As the laws
of musculoskeletal movement put it, "Bones go where muscles put them. Bones stay where muscles
keep them."
Tanya replies: Chiropractic addresses the joints of the vertebrae in the spine. Massage therapy
addresses the soft tissues; that is, the muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. Most chiropractors
acknowledge that if muscles are too tight, adjustments either can't be done or will not last. As the laws
of musculoskeletal movement put it, "Bones go where muscles put them. Bones stay where muscles
keep them."
Question (Roger, Beeston): Does massage therapy hurt?
Kirsty's Answer: It depends on the type of therapy and what kinds of problems you may have. General
relaxation styles of massage (Swedish or Body, Indian Head, and Lomilomi) should not hurt. The
energy-field related therapies are painless, except acupressure or shiatsu, which may access painful
points. However, any therapy that directly addresses Myofascial (soft-tissue or muscular) problems
(such as neuromuscular, deep tissue, trigger point, or similar therapies) may be painful when treating
problem areas; the pain comes not from the work itself but from the tissue pathology.
The deep tissue techniques used in styles like Sports Massage may be painful, especially if you have
problems (tight muscles etc). As a rule you come to us precisely because everything is NOT OK. Your
therapist should ask you to let them know if the pain is more than you care to tolerate. Many of our
clients describe therapeutic work as "good pain," meaning that they feel the difference between
constructive and destructive pain. Hagar the Horrible once told his doctor he was feeling terrible and
asked him what to do. When the doctor suggested he drink less, eat a healthier diet, and get more
exercise. Hagar replied, "There's always a catch to feeling good, isn't there?"
Kirsty's Answer: It depends on the type of therapy and what kinds of problems you may have. General
relaxation styles of massage (Swedish or Body, Indian Head, and Lomilomi) should not hurt. The
energy-field related therapies are painless, except acupressure or shiatsu, which may access painful
points. However, any therapy that directly addresses Myofascial (soft-tissue or muscular) problems
(such as neuromuscular, deep tissue, trigger point, or similar therapies) may be painful when treating
problem areas; the pain comes not from the work itself but from the tissue pathology.
The deep tissue techniques used in styles like Sports Massage may be painful, especially if you have
problems (tight muscles etc). As a rule you come to us precisely because everything is NOT OK. Your
therapist should ask you to let them know if the pain is more than you care to tolerate. Many of our
clients describe therapeutic work as "good pain," meaning that they feel the difference between
constructive and destructive pain. Hagar the Horrible once told his doctor he was feeling terrible and
asked him what to do. When the doctor suggested he drink less, eat a healthier diet, and get more
exercise. Hagar replied, "There's always a catch to feeling good, isn't there?"
| © Copyright 2008 - Active Recovery - All Rights Reserved. The Gaia Centre for Holistic Therapy, 17 Frederick Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3BH email: admin@gaiaholistics.co.uk Tel: 01509 556101 |
Question (Jenny, Loughborough): Does medical insurance cover complementary therapy?
Tanya's Answer: In the past the answer has generally been NO. However, today it may depend on the
Insurers. Where complementary practitioners are practising a form of clinical therapy, and take referrals
from physiotherapists or other medical practitioners as part of the treatment modality, it is much more
likely to be covered. Some companies will now pay for massage and other therapies if they are
prescribed by a physician/GP.
Tanya's Answer: In the past the answer has generally been NO. However, today it may depend on the
Insurers. Where complementary practitioners are practising a form of clinical therapy, and take referrals
from physiotherapists or other medical practitioners as part of the treatment modality, it is much more
likely to be covered. Some companies will now pay for massage and other therapies if they are
prescribed by a physician/GP.
Question (Anne, Shepshed): Is there a National Organisation for Complementary Therapy?
Tanya Answers: The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is a new voluntary regulator for complementary therapies in
the UK (launched Jan 2009). It is an independent body, set up with support and backing from the Department of Health. It’s main focus is on
protecting the public, by ensuring that those registered meet benchmark standards of preparation and training.
Each of the various individual therapies also have their own (one or more) member organisations that may or may not have a regulatory role.
There are also schemes are in hand to form a single authority for Massage Therapy under the auspices of the General Council for Massage
Therapy (GCMT), but they are in the development stage at present.
For more information check out our Information Bulletin Issues 02 & 03.
Tanya Answers: The Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is a new voluntary regulator for complementary therapies in
the UK (launched Jan 2009). It is an independent body, set up with support and backing from the Department of Health. It’s main focus is on
protecting the public, by ensuring that those registered meet benchmark standards of preparation and training.
Each of the various individual therapies also have their own (one or more) member organisations that may or may not have a regulatory role.
There are also schemes are in hand to form a single authority for Massage Therapy under the auspices of the General Council for Massage
Therapy (GCMT), but they are in the development stage at present.
For more information check out our Information Bulletin Issues 02 & 03.
Question (Ken, Loughborough): What happens during a treatment?
Dave Answers: It depends on the therapy in question but each discipline follows a similar pattern. During the first session the therapist will
carry out a consultation in order to determine what the problem is, and to get a bit of background on your health history, occupation, sporting
involvement (if relevant), and lifestyle. All of this background information will help the therapist to prescribe an appropriate course of
treatment. This usually takes approximately twenty minutes. Our therapists therefore usually set the duration of treatment at one hour for the
first session.
Subsequent sessions (if they are deemed necessary) may be shorter. At each session you will be asked briefly about the previous session
and your experiences following the session to find out if the treatment was effective, and in order to adjust the treatment plan for the current
session. However, this will only take a matter of minutes and the remainder of your time will be given over to treatment.
Following the consultation the treatment will be carried out. You may be asked to remove a certain amount of clothing in order for this to be
effective. Appropriate clothing for treatment is described here.
After The Massage
When the treatment is finished your therapist will ask you a few questions to ensure you are feeling OK and to gauge the effectiveness of the
treatment. They may also provide advice and guidance on any after care self help treatment (e.g. stretching, mental of physical exercise), that
will enhance the effectiveness of their treatment.
Dave Answers: It depends on the therapy in question but each discipline follows a similar pattern. During the first session the therapist will
carry out a consultation in order to determine what the problem is, and to get a bit of background on your health history, occupation, sporting
involvement (if relevant), and lifestyle. All of this background information will help the therapist to prescribe an appropriate course of
treatment. This usually takes approximately twenty minutes. Our therapists therefore usually set the duration of treatment at one hour for the
first session.
Subsequent sessions (if they are deemed necessary) may be shorter. At each session you will be asked briefly about the previous session
and your experiences following the session to find out if the treatment was effective, and in order to adjust the treatment plan for the current
session. However, this will only take a matter of minutes and the remainder of your time will be given over to treatment.
Following the consultation the treatment will be carried out. You may be asked to remove a certain amount of clothing in order for this to be
effective. Appropriate clothing for treatment is described here.
After The Massage
When the treatment is finished your therapist will ask you a few questions to ensure you are feeling OK and to gauge the effectiveness of the
treatment. They may also provide advice and guidance on any after care self help treatment (e.g. stretching, mental of physical exercise), that
will enhance the effectiveness of their treatment.
Answer from Alev: Again it depends on the treatment you are receiving. With most styles of massage or manipulation such as Reflexology,
people usually report feeling very relaxed. Although with deep tissue massage there may be some soreness, you may also experience
freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, you may
find that you have increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity, which can last for days.