'Rub Out' the pain 'Rub Out' the pain (September 14, 2005)

Massage therapy could be the answer to what ails you

by Stanford Health Library

Healing by touch is as old as mankind. The desire to "rub out" the pain seems instinctive.

Massage therapy, the systematized manipulation of soft tissues to increase health and healing, is used today in a number of different health professions, including physical therapy, athletic training, nursing, osteopathy and chiropractic. Both research and clinical practice have shown that therapeutic massage has real benefits: it can increase circulation, stimulate the immune system, reduce tension, release emotion, facilitate relaxation and speed healing time.

"Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques: Classic, Holistic, and Emerging Methods," by Frances M. Tappan and Patricia J. Benjamin (Appleton & Lange, 1998) is a standard in massage training. Tappan, former associate dean for the School of Allied Health Professions at the University of Connecticut, has studied and practiced physical therapy using massage for more than 50 years. The latest edition of this book reflects her desire to educate students of the healing arts with descriptions of massage techniques used worldwide. The book provides an overview of massage therapy applications and describes specific techniques used in both Western and Eastern traditions. Specifics of massage modalities, such as Swedish and Shiatsu, along with manual lymph drainage, acupuncture, reflexology and polarity therapy are discussed. Pictures throughout the book illustrate both anatomy and technique.

Another book, "Basic Clinical Massage Therapy: Integrating Anatomy and Treatment," by James Clay and David Pounds, features an outstanding array of color photographs and illustration. The description of techniques and visual instructions is much more specific than in Tappan's book. It attempts to link textbook anatomy with actual practice. Readers see what a living human body looks like on a massage table, adjacent to a picture showing the bones and muscles involved. This book is useful for both massage professionals and as a tool for recipients, helping them understand their own body and where their problems may lie.

"Structural Bodywork: an introduction for students and practitioners," by John Smith, takes a different and more controversial approach, focusing on a somatic approach -- the holistic intersection of mind and body. This field of work began with "Rolfing," the concepts and practices pioneered by Ida Rolf and Feldenkrais in the 1960s. Structural bodywork aims to alleviate structural and postural imbalances, focusing on the functional limitations they cause. The book presents both the philosophy and concepts involved in structural bodywork, and then describes those theories in relationship to anatomy and clinical practice. The final, and largest section, is a practical manual that explains structural bodywork techniques.

All three books are available to be borrowed from the Stanford Health Library. Even more massage-related resources are available on the Health Library Web site (http://healthlibrary.stanford.edu). From the home page, choose the search link to locate those resources easily. For help with any of these resources or to explore further, free of charge, visit, phone or e-mail the Stanford Health Library. Branches are located at the Stanford Shopping Center near Bloomingdales'; on the third floor of Stanford Hospital or on the main level of Stanford's new Cancer Center. Call the Health Library at (650) 725-8400 or e-mail to healthlibrary@stanfordmed.org.

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