THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

31 Jan
2014

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More than a third (35%) of the adult Australian population, which equates to approximately 5 million people, are overweight.

In the last 15 years, the proportion of Australians that are overweight has actually fallen by 6%. However, over the same time period, the proportion of Australians who are obese has increased by 47% (National Heart Foundation 2012).

Although these statistics are alarming and at present continue in an upward trend, behind every percentage and number are individuals, males, females, young and old who have to struggle daily with many health and lifestyle issues.

How can massage therapists contribute positively to these client’s health and well being, and what are the specific issues to be aware of?

• Emotional consideration - Many individuals carrying excess weight are uncomfortable within their physical body. Choosing a therapy such as massage can be a tremendous leap of faith. It means addressing fears of exposing themselves, receiving work on neglected skin and feeling vulnerable to prejudice and criticism. A sensitive client may pick up a therapist’s preconceived judgments about overweight or obese people. When a therapist is non-judgemental, physically touching and manipulating body tissues can be a positive experience for the receiver. ACM’s draping is safe, respectful and non-judgemental and provides both physical and emotional security for the client.
   
• Pain - Overweight people often experience chronic pain from the extra weight carried; joints ache and muscles fatigue due to the constant stress placed on their skeletal system. In an effort to mask what is socially unacceptable, many obese people can be accustomed to ignoring their body and its dialogue. Therefore, many heavy people don’t acknowledge or report the level of pain they are in. Understanding the connection between excess weight and pain can help the therapist gain perspective on a heavy person’s needs.
   
• Range of Motion - While overweight people are often strong and can have normal flexibility, they may have trouble reaching their full range-of-motion (ROM) unassisted. They can benefit greatly from resisted stretching and mobility work for their joints and muscles. The joint loosening and stretching techniques from Sports Massage help address this need.
   
• Relaxation - Many overweight people suffer from sleep apnoea, asthma and other breathing problems. Very heavy people are typically unable to lay on their back or stomach for extended periods of time. Because a person with laboured breathing has a difficult time relaxing, performing massage to induce relaxation can yield positive consequences.
   
• Circulation - One of the outcomes of fat accumulation is the hampering of blood, lymph, energy and oxygen circulation. The physical manipulation of tissue mobilizes circulation that can bring these much needed substances to previously deprived tissue. Massage helps move lymph, blood, energy and oxygen to the various organs and tissues in ways for those who don’t exercise much or are largely immobile.
   
• Practical Consideration - An overweight person’s physical constraints require awareness on the part of the therapist. For people who are excessively overweight, lying on a massage table may be uncomfortable. Even a sturdy, extra wide table may be insufficient for a very heavy person to be truly comfortable. Seated massage can be a non-invasive and more comfortable way to introduce massage and its benefits for the first time, as well as being a viable ongoing treatment option.
  
  ACM’s community events are a great way to promote the benefits of massage to the wider community. People of all ages, shapes and sizes are able to receive a table or seated massage in a safe and enjoyable environment. Encouraging overweight people to experience a massage at a community event may lead to people, who otherwise may not have considered massage as an option, to become aware how great a massage can help them feel.