Is Massage Therapy Holistic?

Philosophy of Holism

Holism comes from holos, the Greek word for whole. The term holism was coined in 1926, in Holism and Evolution, by Jan Christiaan Smuts, a South African statesman, naturalist and philospher. However, the principle of holism dates far back to ancient Greece in the Metaphysics, one of the principal philosophical works of Aristotle: "The whole is more than the sum of its parts".

Holistic Health as a Philosophy of Wellness

I use the term holistic as a philosophy of wellness that takes into account the body, mind, emotions and spiritual aspects of a person. In essence, it's being able to look at the big picture - the whole person and remembering that everything interacts with each other. Holistic health doesn't necessarily mean that only alternative health practices are holistic. Traditional medicine could also be described as holistic particularly as they focus on wellness and preventative health care practices.

Massage therapy belongs to both traditional and alternative health care paradigms. After all, one of the main players in medicalizing massage therapy was the father of medicine himself, Hippocrates.

Is Massage Therapy a Holistic Heatlh Practice?

Massage is a holistic practice because it does affect the whole person. The Touch Research Institute has conducted a number of massage therapy studies on the effects of massage on body functioning, changes in mood and on a variety of health conditions.

Some of the therapeutic ways that massage therapy can positively affect the whole person:

Massage Affects the Body

• diminished pain, decreased autoimmune problems, enhanced immune function, reduced stress hormone, increased relaxation, increased circulation, more muscle flexibility, improved range of motion, improved sleep patterns.

Massage Affects the Mind

• enhanced alertness and performance, improved focus and concentration.

Massage Affects Emotions

• less aggressive, improved mood, reduced anxiety, less depressed, improved self esteem.

Is massage holistic? You decide. If I massage my own sore leg that has been causing a lot of pain and discomfort, I will most likely feel less pain, less anxiety about the pain, lighter in mood, sleep better, and feel relief, which all translates into feeling better all round. To me, that is what holistic health is all about.

Related Thoughts: Holistic Approach to Wellness and Massage Therapy Articles

© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson, 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.

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