Archive for November 14th, 2007
Conspiracy Theory - The Medical History Transition from Massage to Physical Therapy
14 November 2007Don’t you think its odd that Massage disappeared from the nursing program just as physical therapy appeared as an aid to Western Medicine? JK
So these last two blogs have been interesting to me. I have put together in this funny little head of mine a connection. The two situations might not be related at all but I personal feel they played a hand in the conception of massage in Western world.
Massage Therapy vs. Physical Therapy
14 November 2007I am on this kick to find out the major differences of Massage vs. other alternative care. So here goes….
The basic definition of Physical Therapy is to develop, restore or maintain maximum mobility and function. Massage is a treatment of the soft tissue involving mechanical, physical, functional, emotional affects through the manipulation of muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin and joints. You can see why some may confuse these two health care modalities. People who utilize both therapies may do so because they have negative affects from injury, disease or the discomforts associated with the process of aging. So what’s the difference?
Physical Therapy got its start in the 1920’s under the direction of physicians and mostly limited to military and civilian hospitals. Its early association was woman only, but later changed to include male therapists as the demands for PT’s grew after WWII. The American Physical Therapist Association has always maintained a strict line between rehabilitation through physical therapy and the manual manipulations of soft tissue with Massage Therapy.
Physical Therapies involve working hard in a vigorous program to restore health; on the other hand Massage Therapies utilize techniques that induce relaxation of the muscles to stimulate the health and well-being. Both MT’s and PT’s work to reduce pain, increase functional mobility and retrain weakend muscles to induce maximum functions of the body.
Like everything in this world both have their place. One treatment does not fit all. What works for one may not work for another and that’s what makes the world go round!