by Rosa Lee

Created on: June 02, 2010

No longer considered a luxury, massage therapy is gaining recognition as a valuable means of maintaining health. Donna Constantine, certified Reflexology Practitioner and owner/operator of The Inner You in Ontario, Canada, retired from the military with health issues that she felt the medical world was not able to help with. Wanting to find something noninvasive that was complementary to medical treatment, she found reflexology. "There are many doctors who refer their patients to us, because they’re not seeing the results needed through other treatments," Donna says. 

There are many styles of massage, and each technique has its own therapeutic value. Deep-tissue massages target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, structural work realigns body structure, energy work focuses on the energies in the body, remedial massage treats a localized area and relaxation massage deals with the whole body.

Not all massage techniques may be well-suited for you. The reason for massage therapy will help determine which style of treatment to consider.  According to Donna, massage can help ease the suffering of those with insomnia, stress, poor circulation, sinus congestion, cramps, stiff joints, scar tissue adhesion, sports injuries, digestive problems, immune problems and lymphatic issues. The Ontario Massage Therapy Association also includes arthritis, tendinitis, headaches, repetitive strain injuries, respiratory problems, pregnancy and labor discomfort as well as post injury and post surgical rehabilitation as conditions relieved by massage therapy. 

While massage therapy is suitable for people of all ages, there are some conditions for which massage is not appropriate. A qualified therapist will recognize these cases and will require you to fill out a health background questionnaire. Be frank about what health issues you have and which symptoms you are seeking relief from. Different styles of massage treat different types of ailments, so it is a good idea to shop around to find a massage therapist who is trained in the type of massage that best suits your needs. Establish how many sessions can reasonably be expected and over what time period. It is also acceptable to inquire if treatments are covered by your insurance.

It is important to know what to look for in a massage therapist.  Someone who is not properly trained can do more harm than good. A Certified Massage

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