By D. J. Peck Ph.D. Executive Director of Gateway College of Massage Therapy. Since 1980, massage therapy has become the fastest growing allied health profession in the United States. Massage is a beneficial health aid for everyone. Physically, massage increases metabolism, improves detoxifying functions of the lymphatic system and relaxes and refreshes the muscles.
Massage assists the digestive process and improves circulation of blood to the body system.
Psychologically, massage relieves stress symptoms and fatigue, calms the nervous system, and promotes relaxation. Swedish massage is the most widely used modality and is incorporated into other procedures. The Japanese system, called Shiatsu, concentrates upon energy points, when pressure is applied to those points circulation is improved and nerve stimulation takes place. Acupressure is an outgrowth of acupuncture, a Chinese medical practice. Acupressure, in order to relieve pain, discomfort, or some other imbalance in the body, requires the therapist to stimulate the acupuncture points for therapeutic change.