Benefits of Massage
It is no secret that stress is not helpful to our health: physical, mental, or spiritual. The studies are too many to cite, but the following are links to excellent articles on the benefits of massage, as well as descriptions of several types of massage modalities, including seated, foot, and geriatric massage.
An interview with Tiffany Field, head of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, a pioneer in researching the importance of touch to our physical and mental health.
Discusses the benefits of massage in managing the symptoms of osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's / dementia, and mood disorders.
Discusses the results of a randomized, parallel, single-blind controlled trial in which researchers examined the effects of foot massage on pain in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
A good explanation of the differences between foot massage and reflexology and the benefits of both.
An article by Sharon Puszko, PhD, LMT, a pioneer in geriatric massage on the benefits of this modality.
​Although geared towards massage therapists, this article has good information about the history of seated massage, its benefits and what to expect during a session.
from
the
ABMP
glossary
Seated Massage
Known as seated massage, chair massage, or on-site massage, this technique involves the use of a specially designed massage chair in which the client sits comfortably.
The modern chair massage was originally developed by David Palmer, but the technique is centuries-old, with some Japanese block prints illustrating people having just emerged from a nearby bath, receiving massage while seated on a low stool.
Seated massage includes bodywork and somatic techniques, such as shiatsu, amma, and Swedish massage. It is provided to fully clothed clients in a variety of settings, including businesses, airports, and street fairs.
Geriatric Massage
Geriatric massage, with its focus on the elderly, addresses the psychological and physiological aspects of aging and its associated diseases. Bodywork, often limited to a shorter time span, is often performed in residential care facilities.