In May 2017, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) published a research paper that focused on the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in Australia. Massage falls into the category of complementary therapies. In other words, they are used in addition to traditional medicine and that they are used to achieve better overall health and in some cases, to achieve better results than traditional medicine alone.

The results overwhelmingly showed that the majority of Australians are using additions or alternatives to traditional western medicine. Their results showed that “the mean age was 53 years and 68% of participants were female. Two-thirds of participants used some form of CAM in the previous 12 months, and 60% believed CAM aided wellbeing”. Those using the various therapies and treatments are more often well-educated with 59% of them having tertiary qualifications (34% university and 25% VET) and they are focused in their use. Around 50% were using therapies to promote better results during long-term illness.

These results are not surprising when you consider something like massage (only one of the many therapies in the RACGP study). The globally respected Mayo Clinic (rated the overall Number 1 Hospital in the United States 2018/19) both promotes and uses massage as part of its medical and healthy lifestyle programs. Their reasons for adopting massage as part of their programs is simple.  “Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.” (Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits) Their page on stress management leads with the statement that “Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being.” These are powerful messages from one of the most respected medical and health providers in the world.

The Victorian Government Better Health Channel is also an advocate of the benefits of massage as part of wellness program. Their advice including uses, benefits and special considerations for when massage should not be used are on their site.

Massage works in at least two important ways. First, it operates directly on the bodies soft tissues and circulatory systems. By doing so, it can be very effective in treating muscles that have become knotted and painful through work or sports and also promotes better circulation in the body. Second, it treats the mind. Stress is an emotional condition. Almost all of our customers tell us of the relaxed state of mind they achieve while simultaneously having the physical aches and pains addressed.

Of course, massage cannot fix everything. Actually, if you have a medical condition for which you are receiving continuing treatment of some kind from a doctor, then you should check with you doctor if there is any reason why you should not include massage as part of your overall routine for health and well-being. The number of such conditions is comparatively small, but it is important to check.

So, our message to the growing number of our customers that started to use our massage and are including regular massage as part of their health and well-being program, “good job!”. If you are the McLaren Vale region and have not yet visited us… We hope to see you soon!