Massage: a tool against stress

The origin of this therapeutic gesture goes back to Antiquity. Old Chinese manuscripts evoke the use of massages 3 000 years BC "The Greeks and Romans also recommended to be massaged to accelerate convalescence, regenerate the body or relieve pain after the games of gladiators" , note Jean-Marc Harel-Ramond *, psychotherapist and sophrologist. But in the West, despite the benefits found, the practice has long been forgotten, especially because of the rise of Christianity who saw a bad eye all the steps involving touch, physical contact.

It is now back in force in the wake of alternative medicine, the need to take care of ourselves and to curb the stress of modern life. According to a survey conducted in July 2012 by the Ipsos Institute on behalf of the Salon Rééduca, only 5% of French people would indulge in the benefits of massage. Certainly, except for medical prescription, the sessions are a little expensive ** but when the practitioner is of quality, they are not related to a comfort nor to a simple luxury.

Beyond the pleasure and the relaxation that it provides on the moment, the massage has indeed curative virtues, in the short and long term, undisputed. Many clinical studies have found the relevance of certain maneuvers to reduce joint stiffness and chronic neuromuscular pain, soothe headaches and digestive disorders, stimulate immune defenses and blood and lymphatic circulation.

Once released from the tensions that assail it, the body is more able to defend itself, especially to better withstand stress. However, it turns out to be the trigger or accelerator of eight current pathologies in ten.

says Christophe Fosseur, a physiotherapist at Thalasso & Spa Deauville Algotherm.

These long-standing positive impacts have, for decades, been attributed solely to the increase in skin temperature in the treated area, the elimination of locally accumulated toxic waste, and most importantly to the placebo effect. generated by being cared for, cocooned. Not to mention the irrational explanations advanced to justify the supposed benefits of some practices of exotic inspiration, which generally have an oriental name. Hence the skepticism or even mistrust of some on the real usefulness of massage.

* Author of the Bible of psychocorporal therapies (Bussière editions)
** Approximately 60 massage in 45 to 60 min in the province and 80 to over 150 in Paris

Massage: an anti-inflammatory power

Canadian researchers have deciphered the inner workings of their modes of action on humans. And, surprisingly, they would be even more efficient than imagined since these manipulations are likely to generate in the body chain biochemical changes that propagate to the very heart of the cells, at the level of their DNA.

For their study, biologists from the Department of Neuromuscular and Neurometabolic Diseases at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, recruited eleven young athletes to pedal on a stationary bike for seventy minutes at full speed. After this intense effort, each of them had a massage on one leg. By analyzing the muscle samples taken from the inside of their thighs just before the exercise, ten minutes after the massage and two and a half hours later, the researchers found that the massage had triggered effects comparable to analgesic treatment. drug. Although the biopsies of both legs have the same microlesions caused by the forceful pedaling, those from the massaged muscles indeed concentrate much less inflammatory molecules than the others. These were not evacuated by the movements of effleurage, friction and kneading, but simply muzzled by the muscle cells themselves.

Explanation: The pressure induced by the massage is detected by tiny sensors embedded in the cell membrane. These immediately transmit the information inside their cell in the form of molecular signals (protein kinases with a modified structure). As a result, the cellular machinery starts and causes cascading events that lead to the activation of nine normally silent genes, some of which neutralize the inflammatory process. This is why the immediate pain and aches of the next day are reduced. But that's not all. In the longer term, other genes solicited encourage the genesis of new mitochondria, these small organelles responsible for the production of energy inside the cells. The increase in their number may take several weeks. Also massaged tissues will be more toned and better armed in the face of aggression during all this time.

Massage: anxiolytic effects

Maneuvers very strong all over the body, such as those performed during a real Swedish or Californian massage, also have a beneficial effect on the immune system and hormonal. Specific deep-seated receptors located in the dermis, the layer of skin just beneath the epidermis, are stimulated on this occasion. They then send nerve impulses to the spinal cord, which leads them to the brain. In response, it begins to produce large amounts of dopamine, serotonin and endorphin, the brain hormones of relief and pleasure that spread throughout the body through the bloodstream.

A US study ***, conducted in September 2010 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, clearly showed that it also resulted in a significant decrease in the secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone. Intravenous catheters were placed in the arms of fifty-three healthy volunteers. All of them then lay on a comfortable massage table, in a strictly identical setting. But only half of them received a Swedish massage of forty-five minutes in the rules of the art. The others were only allowed light touches, mainly effleurages. The analysis of blood samples taken from all participants before and after the session clearly showed the difference. In people who have been massaged, there is a clear increase in the concentration of lymphocytes (white blood cells of the immune system) and a significant decrease in vasopressin, a hormone that regulates blood pressure and release of cortisol by the adrenal glands. In others, however, only an elevation of oxytocin (the hormone of satisfaction) is detectable. The anxiolytic effect of massage is not a simple placebo effect.

*** Published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

Massage: a masseur who knows how to massage

But for a massage to bring real health benefits, it must be properly performed. In France, legislation is strict in theory. " Only masseurs-physiotherapists have the right to perform massages, explains Christophe Fosseur. Other practitioners (beauticians, hydrotherapists, spa employees ...) can provide manual therapies only under the term of "modeling". Certainly, a perfect knowledge of the gestures and the anatomy is essential for the result to be worthy. But all massage aficionados will tell you that it is not the diploma that makes the practitioner's aptitude. Among the kines, the skills are very heterogeneous. It is the same masseurs who officiate in massage center or thalassotherapy. Some have only received an apprenticeship of a few days, which is very clearly insufficient. Others have followed a real training and practice in full knowledge of the facts. In schools accredited by the French Federation of Wellness Massage (FFMBE) such as the Ling Dao Institute, a minimum of two hundred hours of classes is required to qualify as a professional masseur. " At the Tapovan center, more than five hundred hours of teaching are given to train in Ayurvedic massage ," says Patricia Bognon of the Relais Thalasso on the island of Ré. In other specialties, the course can be even longer. Two to five years of training are needed to become a shiatsu pro, for example. Do not hesitate to inquire before putting yourself in the hands of someone. Because a poorly executed massage can do more harm than good.

Beware of machines, more and more often proposed to treat cellulite, reduce scarring or accelerate the recovery of athletes. Although some are cleverly designed, " nothing beats an expert hand that adapts to the body and the specific needs of each," says Dr. Jocelyne Geoffroy, doctor at the thalassotherapy Roscoff. An improperly adjusted palpate-rolling machine may break the skin fibers and weaken the vessels. Its use is conceivable only in addition to manual treatment, and only after a diagnosis made by a doctor or physiotherapist. In terms of massage, the "ready-to-wear" certainly has no place. Only the "made-to-measure" guarantees quality and efficiency.

Massage: choose expert hands

During the first sessions, the practitioner must not attack his ball massage in mind, but ask you about your physical state and your expectations. If he does not, run away! In order for the touch to be pleasant, his hands must be warm and supple. And whatever technique is used, it must always start with wide, low-back movements to establish progressive contact with your body. You must feel that he is fully at what he does and not that he is doing routine things. Rely on your own feelings. A masseur can suit your friends and not you. A good massage must put in a second state. If you have weak cervical spine, report it to the practitioner and make sure the table has a hole to keep your head upright.

Massage: what contraindications?

Falsely dispensed, a massage can generate catastrophic effects. If you have allergies, ask about the composition of the oil used (almond, sesame, camphor ...), especially if it contains essential oils (lavender, lemon ...). In case of open wound or recent burn, any massage is not recommended. Similarly, in case of phlebitis because the maneuvers exercised on the legs can displace a blood clot and cause pulmonary embolism. Unless you are dealing with an extremely specialized practitioner. Be also careful if you have cancer, especially breast cancer, so as not to induce the spread of metastases. And, of course, no kneading of the belly when you are pregnant.

Massage: physical and psychic tensions

" Touch is not just physical contact. When used effectively, it can have an emotional impact, connect the individual to himself and others, open to the inner touch , "says Isabelle Barat, shiatsuki and trainer in reflexology. Some massages manage to evacuate repressed emotions, physical and psychic tensions. The somato-psychopedagogy sessions at the Miramar Crouesty * thalassotherapy center are based on this principle. Like the biodynamic massages offered by some sophrologists and wellness practitioners. By associating the touch and the word, they release the traumatisms inscribed in the body generating psychosomatic ills.

* Information on 02 97 53 49 13 or on www.miramarcrouesty.com .