Therapeutic massage can alleviate the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, Parkinson´s disease, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, musculoskeletal disorders, joint dysfunction, asthma/bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis. As a complementary therapy, therapeutic massage can provide a sense of well-being by encouraging the body´s healing process after surgery, illness or injuries.

Benefits of therapeutic massage include: Reduced muscle stiffness, faster healing of sprained ligaments, lowered blood pressure, improved posture, decreased heart rate, balance restoration, enhanced post-operative rehabilitation, and improved skin health. Therapeutic massage elicits the relaxation response, which can reduce stress-related conditions like headache and asthma and ease breathing. By alleviating discomfort of ailments, therapeutic massage can restore qi energy balance, rejuvenate and maintain wellness.

Therapeutic massage has been integrated into many medical settings, health systems and complementary therapies for treatment of health conditions ranging from general stress to serious illnesses such as cancer. Techniques incorporated into therapeutic massage are drawn from a range of massage modalities including: Swedish (muscle relaxation, body fluid circulation), medical (for cancer or other health conditions), Shiatsu (immune system boost, increase of blood circulation), geriatric (mental clarity, flexibility, range of motion), deep tissue (reduce chronic muscle strain, tendonitis), and trigger point (chronic sensitive area muscle pain).

Therapeutic massage is tailored to treat certain health conditions, such as osteoarthritis. A recent study in the Archives of Internal Medicine produced findings that indicated therapeutic massage effectively reduces pain and improves joint flexibility in adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. The primary role of therapeutic massage may be to reduce dependence on pharmacotherapy.

Acupuncture & Massage College´s Masters of Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs prepare graduates for careers as acupuncture physicians and massage therapists. For program information call Joe Calareso at (305) 595-9500 or visit www.amcollege.edu for program information and class descriptions.