approach. They set about creating regu- Now, they are more interested in mas- she remarks.
lations and establishing a clear practice sage as a means to provide relief for While more research is needed to
model for physical rehabilitation; today their physical problems,” says Hansen. support specific health benefits of mas-
the organization exists as the Chartered Like many of the estimated sage, the National Center for Comple-
Society of Physiotherapy. Many of the 265,000 to 300,000 licensed massage mentary and Alternative Medicine
techniques used by its members still re- therapists in this country, Hansen’s ex- (NCCAM) continues to sponsor studies.
flect treatment practices invented prior pertise includes other modalities that The effort is to determine if and how
to the society’s inception. he has studied since graduating from the changes that occur in the body dur-
Since the 1970s, renewed interest massage school. He is pleased that to- ing massage influence health, and to
in hands-on methods of manipulat- day much of his work comes through identify the conditions for which mas-
ing muscles and other soft tissues has referrals from enlightened physicians
sage may be most helpful.
propelled the therapeutic use of touch and chiropractors. “A small number of
Unwilling to wait for such statisti-
into its latest upward growth spiral, local physicians understand that the
cal evidence, ever-growing numbers
freeing it from the gravitational pull of manipulation of connective tissue in
of American adults—18 million per a
another bout of opposition from main- myofascial release therapy, or any of
2007 NCCAM study—have chosen to
stream medicine in the early 1930s. the other 12 modalities I practice, can
make use of massage. Their testimoni-
Now on an accelerated course, mas- not only promote healing, mobility
als regularly attest to its therapeutic
sage again has the opportunity to as- and flexibility, but also complement
benefits and recognize its worth as an
sume a celebrated place in the annals what they do,” enthuses Hansen.
aid to general wellness—a positive
of medicine, just as it did in 1936, Christina Mitchell, owner of Best
sign that the current positive trend will
when Dr. Thomas Lathrop Stedman Body Massage, also in Naples, special-
continue.
included it as a “scientific method” izes in medical massage for cancer
Contact Tony Hansen at Therapy on the
among therapeutics in his Practical patients, orthopedic assessment, sports
Gulf, 814 Anchor Rode Dr., in Naples,
Medical Dictionary. massage and active isolated stretching.
or call 239-262-8722. See ad, page 8.
In recent years, Tony Hansen, A graduate of the Baltimore School of
owner of Therapy on the Gulf, in Massage, Mitchell acquired her spe- Contact Christina M. Mitchell at
Naples, Florida, has noticed a change cialty training for medical patients at
Christina@BestBodyMassage.com
in his clients’ expectations. “When I the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer or 239-293-0960. Visit her website
began practicing this service in 2000, Center. “Ninety-nine percent of my at
BestBodyMassage.com. See ad,
people just wanted to feel relaxed. clients come for therapeutic reasons,” page 43.
natural awakenings March 2010
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