Relief. Relaxation. Better sleep. These are a few things most of us associate with a good massage. And while these hold true, the benefits are further reaching than one might realize. While not only being a centuries-old therapy, massage has now blossomed and evolved into many shapes and forms, specifically tailored to the many facets of our health. Many practitioners choose to combine these forms, integrating them to deliver the most effective treatment. A few of these modalities to be discussed here are myofascial release, orthopedic/sports massage and Swedish massage.  Myofascial release is a technique that works to eliminate tension, adhesions and strictures of the fascia throughout our body. Fascia is connective tissue, present over our entire body, connecting our skin to our muscles, covering our nerves, arteries and organs, linking us from head to toe.

Some think of fascia as a tightly knit sweater. When one pulls or kinks one area, the rest of the sweater is affected. As our fascia is normally pliable and moves freely, it can become constricted and tight as a result of trauma or poor structural habits. Slumping, anyone? Not you, of course! But, let’s say if you did slouch, and had low back pain or headaches, myofascial release would attempt to regain your structural balance through stretching and elongating the fascia, releasing adhesions and restoring balance. Release would in theory provide improved circulation, moving in much needed nutrients to heal the area, and more importantly, release the ‘pattern’ of slouching or trauma. This is important, as teachers of this technique strongly believe that our bodies will hold onto the structural memory of an old injury or stress, emotional or physical. Outside of the traditional conditions one might think of for myofascial release, an interesting study in the Journal of Urology done at Stanford showed a significant difference in symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency and pain in men with chronic prostatitis and pelvic pain when treated with this technique.

Orthopedic massage incorporates techniques from sports and medical massage to encourage healing after injury or for rehabilitation. Orthopedic massage has three main elements: assessment, matching treatment to the injury and adaptation of treatment as healing occurs. Many athletes and performers also use orthopedic massage to prevent injury, as well as when injury occurs. In addition to providing relaxation and relief, it also works to release adhesions and improve circulation, and thereby improve healing. However, the most important aspect to this form is that practitioners are taught to understand the mechanism, or the cause, of the injury and how to best heal that specific injury.

Swedish massage is one of the most common forms of massage offered and the form most people are familiar with. This technique was developed in Sweden in the early 1800s. Swedish massage incorporates six different techniques: petrissage – kneading movements which include rolling, lifting and compression of the skin; vibration; effleurage - long, gliding strokes; friction – circular pressure; percussion – brisk hacking or tapping; and stretching. This form utilizes long, gliding movements, typically in the direction of the heart to relax, heal and regenerate.

No matter what your choice of style of massage, always be mindful to ask your therapist where they received their training, and if they are licensed. Deb Welch, LMT, a long-time local Moscow massage therapist and teacher (208-882-2090), states that “Idaho does not require massage therapists to undergo training or receive licensure to practice, which has shifted the responsibility to the consumer to make sure they are seeing a qualified practitioner.” And considering massage is a very a powerful healing technique, it is best to know you are in skilled, trained hands.

Because there are approximately fifty massage practitioners in this area, no authoritative listing of individual practitioners is practical. For more information about choosing a massage therapist, discuss the options with your own primary care provider, ask friends for referrals, or contact the Gritman Wellness Center (208-883-6361) or the Moscow School of Massage (208-882-7867). Individual practitioners are also listed in the Moscow Food Co-op Business Partner Program and through the local Chambers of Commerce.

Anderson, R., et al. Integration of myofascial trigger point release and paradoxical relaxation training treatment of chronic pelvic pain in men. J Urol. 2005 Jul;174(1):155-60