Are you looking for a career that gives you a chance to make a difference in the lives of others? Then you may want to consider becoming a massage therapist. For many people, massage is not just a luxury; it’s a way to improve their health and quality of life.
If you’re thinking about massage therapy training, you may be interested in learning about some of the ways you’ll be able to help people. While some people seek massage therapy treatment to help them relieve various types of pain, others use massage therapy to relax and reduce stress. Read on to learn about some of the conditions that massage therapy can help treat.
Massage Therapy is an Effective Treatment for Different Types of Chronic Pain
While for many people, pain may be only temporary, for some, pain is a chronic condition that must be managed regularly. Many Canadians suffer from chronic pain, which is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months and doesn’t improve with conventional treatments. Such pain can significantly decrease a person’s quality of life.
Fortunately, massage therapy can help chronic pain sufferers find relief. One study, for instance, found that more than half of people suffering from chronic lower back pain saw meaningful improvement in their condition after 10 massage sessions. When treating people who have chronic pain, a single massage session may have only limited benefits, but if the massage therapy is repeated regularly then the client is more likely to experience long-term improvement.
Massage therapy has been shown to provide relief from chronic pain
Those using massage to alleviate pain should understand that different types of massage work best for different people. A common misconception is that massage has to be painful to be effective, which is certainly not the case for everyone. During massage therapy courses, you will learn a number of massage therapy techniques, such as hydrotherapy, trigger point therapy, and joint pain mobilization, so that you can adapt your technique to the individual needs of each of your clients.
Use Your Massage Therapy Training to Help Alleviate Stress and Depression
Massage does more than just improve people’s physical wellbeing. It can also help with mental health conditions. For those who work in high-stress jobs, massage therapy may be especially useful. For instance, nurses who work in intensive care units (ICU) deal with a lot of stress. One study found that when ICU nurses were given Swedish massages twice a week for 4 weeks they showed significant improvement in their stress levels. Of course, the mental health benefits of massage extend well beyond those who are in high-stress jobs. Massage often helps people relax and feel physically better, which in turn can help them feel happier overall.
The skills learned during massage therapy training can help clients to reduce stress
People Battling Cancer Often Find Relief Through Massage Therapy
Cancer patients often experience what are referred to as “The Big Five” symptoms: pain, fatigue, anxiety, nausea, and depression. You already know that massage therapy is an effective way of treating pain and stress. However, one large study found that massage helps reduce the severity of all “The Big Five” symptoms.
Special consideration does go into providing massage therapy for cancer patients. For instance, massage therapists need to ensure they avoid areas with open wounds, bruising, blood clots, or that are highly sensitive, especially after radiation therapy. The area directly above the tumour should also be avoided. When working with clients, such as those battling cancer, it is important that you explain both the risks and benefits they may experience through massage therapy. Part of your massage therapy training will go into detail about how to discuss massage’s potential benefits and risks to clients.
Are you ready to pursue a new career?
Contact Oxford College to learn more about our massage therapy diploma.