Who benefits? Who doesn't? It is true that there are experts in the field of Massage Therapy and aptitude within this profession varies from one Therapist to the next. This truism is no different in any other vocation.

The Fix can reassure without a doubt that there are very few instances where therapeutic massage will not provide some form of relief. Certain conditions do in fact have specific contra-indications but these can all be modified to provide a safe and effective outcome. For example, certain massage techniques are ill-advised as courses of treatment in cases such as recent burns, severe/unstable hypertension, and post-injection sites amongst various others.

Mainly, people of all ages with an array of conditions can and do benefit from massage treatments, and most of them will experience improvement in their condition during their initial visit. General beneftis include:

speedy recovery from injury
a diminishing of chronic pain
a reduction of tension headaches
general relaxation
an increase in flexibility and range of motion
a calming of the nervous system
strengthening of the immune system
promotes healthy skin
improvement in quality of sleep


if it's good for Tiger...

I am often asked questions regarding the benefits and therapeutic value of Massage Therapy as it pertains to sports performance. After running through the gamut of benefits and treatment protocols, I can usually offer one simple analogy that puts everything in perspective that most of my patients can relate to. Tiger Woods.

Apart from David Beckham, whom I might add also receives Massage Therapy from his various teams' training staff, Tiger Woods is arguably the world's best known athlete today. And you can bet that going into round four at The Masters, Tiger isn't out partying with the golf galleries that follow his every swing – he's likely back in his suite having any Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) treated by his Massage Therapist or physical therapy team.

And it's not just Tiger! Consider any pro-athlete today and they are having their vital assets – their bodies – physically maintained through various forms of massage. To what benefit, you ask? Because they know it works. If it didn't, billionaire owners and the millionaire athletes they cater to, wouldn't waste their time with it.

So yes, Massage Therapy, as studies have supported, is a grand slam. But don't ask me... ask Tiger! I'd say at this point in his career, he's got a pretty good idea what works for him!


Article by Graeme Wilson, RMT