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from how you treat an elderly patient with back problems,” she explains. “A goodmassage therapist needs to know the difference or someone can get hurt.” Although all massage therapists should know a little bit about every type of massage, some choose to specialize in a certain area. Karen, for example, is a rehabilitative massage therapist . She mostly works with patients who need massage therapy to help treat injuries. For example, a person who has been in a car crash might have whiplash—a muscular injury in the neck—and a special type of massage therapy will help heal this injury over time.

THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reports that massage therapy has been medically proven to be effective for the following purposes: • Reducing cancer-related fatigue • Reducing low-back pain • Reducing symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the knee • Reducing postoperative pain • Boosting the functioning of the body’s immune system • Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands)

• Lowering high blood pressure • Reducing headache frequency

• Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms • Decreasing pain in cancer patients • Reducing side effects of fibromyalgia

The Benefits of Massage 9