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Now is the time to relax, and Utah practitioners say massage is the way
By Jodi Mitchell
Liz Bonner receives a massage every other week. Three years ago she received her first professional massage. "I've been hooked ever since," she says. She suffers from attention deficit disorder and loves the way massage improves her attention skills. She receives a treatment called craniosacral therapy, which is an energy-type technique. Bonner describes the therapy like this: "It uses a light touch and correlates the cranial fluid with the sacral fluid while it flows through the vertebrae." Bonner was so intrigued by the art of massage therapy that she registered for a six-month course at the Utah College of Massage Therapy. She graduated in December 1997 and soon after passed the state-mandated exam to receive her license to practice massage therapy. Although she learned several modalities including shiatsu, hydrotherapy, infant massage, craniosacral therapy and acupressure, she focuses her practice on Swedish massage and seated massage. Swedish massage is probably the most common technique. "It's known as the feel-good massage," says Michael McArdle of Transsage. "It generally involves a light to medium pressure along with some oil to help manipulate the muscles." This is the type of massage that people use when they give someone a back rub. Seated massage requires a special massage chair. This type of bodywork is done while the client is fully clothed. The massage therapist usually focuses on the back and neck. It's common in the corporate world. Many employers offer seated massage as a perk during break or lunch or as a part of health plan benefits. Either way, the American Massage Therapy Association has found that employees who receive massage therapy become more productive in the work place. The morale of the company also increases because of decreased employee stress. Sadie Thomas receives massage from Bonner once a month. "She comes to the office and works on each of us for about 15 minutes each," Thomas says. "It's really great. I don't know what I'd do without it. It really gives us all something to look forward to." She says she has noticed a decrease in stressed-out people in her office. "We owe it all to massage," she says. To people who are thinking about getting a massage for the first time, Bonner says, "Just do it." She says that although it may seem overwhelming and even uncomfortable, "Your body will thank you." A licensed massage therapist knows every muscle and bone in the body. A therapist learns the correct ways to manipulate tissues and muscles without causing damage. A person who doesn't have a license can give massages, but might want to be careful. They shouldn't press too hard or they might bruise the body. They also should be cautious when working on the lower back because that's where the kidneys are, and they are extremely sensitive. Older clients are especially sensitive, according to Bonner. She says a lot of elderly clients have fragile bones, "but they still love bodywork." Therapeutic massage can benefit people of all ages, according to the American Massage Therapy Association. This year Gov. Mike Leavitt signed a bill declaring a national massage therapy awareness week for Utah. The theme for the week, in October, was Massage for All Ages. Research published by the AMTA shows that massage actually enhances the weight of premature babies, and their systems develop quicker than those of babies who do not receive massage. The massaged babies generally leave the hospital about seven days earlier than babies who did not receive therapeutic massage. Other benefits include stress reduction, increased metabolism, strengthened immune systems, removal of toxins, and, of course, a good feeling, according to the AMTA. Massage as a therapy is growing nationwide as well as in Utah. Two years ago a survey conducted through the AMTA showed that 20 percent of Utahns had received professional bodywork. Every year, more massage therapy schools open in Utah. The AMTA is working on a program to unify the schools and get them accredited. An accredited school has met AMTA standards for class curriculum, hands-on hours and clinic hours. The Utah College of Massage Therapy in Salt Lake City is one of the nation's best accredited massage therapy schools, according to the AMTA. "They've produced many therapists who work in the Logan area," says Bonner. She is one of more than a dozen licensed massage therapists in Cache Valley. Her business is growing a little bit each year. She attributes the increase to growing attention in the news media. Articles have appeared recently in Ladies Home Journal, Woman's Day, Newsweek and Internal Medicine News. The American Massage Therapy Association is a nationwide not-for-profit organization with chapters in all 50 states. According to a recent AMTA newsletter, it aims to "develop and advance the art, science and practice of massage therapy in a caring, professional and ethical manner in order to promote the health and welfare of humanity." The AMTA has more than 40,000 members nationwide. Congress recently alloted $50 million for alternative medicines. This is up from $20 million allocated last year. "The increase in funding probably has to do with the fact that in 1997, twice as many people sought alternative medicine rather than primary-care physicians," says Bonner. She's glad that the government is realizing the significance of such alternative medicine. "It's nice for my clients whose insurance companies are starting to accept and cover massage therapy as a medical treatment," Bonner says.
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