February 2003 [Volume 2, Issue 2]
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In this issue of To Your Health:
What Is Watsu?
Combine the warmth and weightlessness of being emersed in water with the soothing, healing touch of massage, and you've got Watsu, the "underwater therapy"!
Watsu has been described as "a sequence of gentle movements and stretches that relaxes and nurture your body, mind and spirit." Many claim being in water allows for greater movement and freedom of motion than can be acheived "on land," particularly with respect to the application of certain massage techniques.
The origins of Watsu are generally attributed to Harold Dull, who began floating his students in a warm pool, then applying various stretching and movement techniques, in 1980. Over the years, Watsu has become a staple of many therapeutic massage programs around the world, at clinics, spas and resorts.
To locate a massage therapist in your area who can provide you with more information on Watsu and other massage techniques, go to www.massagetoday.com/locator. To learn about the many other forms of massage therapy, go to www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt.
Increased Acceptance, Utilization of Massage
The events and aftermath of September 11, 2001, have translated into
considerable economic and political instability, not to mention speculation
(and concern) by analysts, business owners and the 
public
over the state of the nation. It's also raised a complex question for
massage therapists: How has the profession been affected? To answer this
question, let's look at some of the more interesting findings gleaned
from the American Massage Therapy Association's 2002 Consumer Survey,
released late last year.
Five years ago, only 8% of adult Americans reported receiving a massage in the previous year; this number more than doubled by 2002 (18%). Equally as dramatic, more than one in four (28%) consumers reported they have received a massage from a massage therapist in the past five years, compared with only 17% in 1997.
The most dramatic increase in massage utilization involves seniors: while only 8% of Americans age 65 and older reported receiving a massage in the previous five years in the 1997 survey, that number nearly tripled to 21% as of 2002.
Three-quarters of consumers who reported discussing massage with a health care professional reported "favorable conversations," and more than half (57%) reported they received a recommendation to visit a massage therapist (30% from physicians, 27% from chiropractors). Even more encouraging, only 2% reported any negative conversation with their health care provider regarding massage.
Most Americans reported receiving their last massage at a spa (19%), massage therapy practice (13%) or their own home (11%), similar to 2001 consumer preferences. However, males changed their preferences in 2002: 17% received a massage at a spa, 17% in the therapist's office; and 14% at home. These figures contrast survey findings in 2001, which listed the home as the most common location for males to receive a massage (16%).
So, what's the bottom line on massage? Despite the current uncertainty of the economic and political climate, massage therapy seems to be as popular and accepted as ever by the American public and other health professionals.
Reference: 2002 Massage Therapy Consumer Survey Fact Sheet. www.amtamassage.org/infocenter/2002survey.htm.
This Month's Massage Q & A
Question: Is there a particular direction or pattern one should follow when performing massage?
Answer: Tradition dictates that one massage in the direction of the heart, in cooperation with the venous system. However, I know of no solid evidence that this makes any difference. So you may do whatever seems best to you, but if you want to follow tradition, go from toe to thigh.
Question: I have a client who has extremely tight lower leg muscles. When I release these muscles with massage, he complains that the pain runs around to different locations of his foot. I'm stumped; what could be happening?
Answer: It sounds like your client has persistent problems with various calf muscles; it will probably take several treatments to work out. I'd suggest working all those muscles, and be sure to stretch them after the massage (and teach him how to stretch them as well).
Note: Information provided in the Massage Q & A section is drawn from comments posted on the "Ask a Massage Therapist" forum, where massage therapist James (Doc) Clay fields questions on the profession. The forum is located at https://www.massagetoday.com/ask/.
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