Printer friendly versionMassage
Massage is a type of treatment performed by a massage therapist who rubs, strokes and stretches the user’s muscles and tissue.
The objective of massage is:
- To relieve pain
- To relieve tension
- To treat diseases
- To increase well being
There exist many different types of massage. Often, the massage therapist combines techniques and methods from different kinds of massage.
Some types of massage focus on the body while others also seek to affect the user on a psychological level.
Massage is the most commonly used type of alternative therapy in Denmark.
Users of massage typically approach the massage therapist with the following problems:
- Overuse of muscles and joints
- Sore muscles
- Acute or chronic myopathies
- Need for relaxation
- Insomnia, agitation and anxiety
- Headache and migraine
- Pain in the back, pelvis, shoulders and arms
- Post-operative tightness and soreness
Furthermore, a lot of people use massage for relaxation and well being. Some users also approach the massage therapist with a wish for increased flexibility and mobility of muscles and joints.
The Cochrane Library is an international database, which collects and assesses scientific studies on the effectiveness of a treatment.
Via the link below you can see what Cochrane concludes about the effect of massage.
Effect of Massage
Experience shows that there are possible adverse effects associated with some types of massage. However, they are mostly lesser inconveniences, which quickly fade away.
Adverse effects related to massage could for example be:
- Drowsiness
- Momentary dizziness
- Soreness in the treated areas
- Slight blushing in the treated areas
More infrequent adverse effects related to massage could be:
- Change in sleep pattern
- Change in digestive pattern
- Light momentary euphoria
Adverse Effects According to Cochrane
The Cochrane Library is an international database, which collects and assesses scientific studies on the effectiveness of a treatment.
Via the link below you can see what Cochrane concludes about the adverse effects of massage.
According to massage therapists you should not use massage:
- If you feel weak
- If you have a high temperature
- If the area you wish to have treated is infected
- If you suffer from a contagious skin disease
- If you suffer from burns in the area you wish to have treated
- If you have fractures in the area you wish to have treated
- If you have cancerous tumors in the area you wish to have treated
Ask Your Doctor for Advice
In the following cases you should ask your doctor for advice before getting a massage:
- If you suffer from a serious heart disease
- If you have cancer
- If you have hypertension and you are not being treated
- If you suffer from osteoporosis
- If you suffer from thrombosis
- If you have weak blood vessels or suffer from menstrual irregularities
Food and Drink
Massage therapists recommend that you do not eat a large meal or drink alcohol immediately before a massage treatment.
In Denmark massage therapists are not authorized.
Massage therapist is not a protected title.
When admitted to a Danish hospital you can choose to receive treatment from a massage therapist from outside.
You will have to pay for the treatment yourself.
In 2005 the National Institute of Public Health conducted a survey on the use of among other things massage in the Danish population.
Use of Massage
- 13.2% of the Danish population has used massage, osteopathy or other manipulative techniques within the previous year.
- 21.2% of the Danish population has used massage, osteopathy or other manipulative techniques at some point in life.
The Typical User
- Woman
- 25-64 years of age
- Living in the Capital Region of Denmark or the Region of Southern Denmark
In Denmark membership of a trade association for massage therapists is voluntary.
Here you can read about the Danish massage therapy associations:
(Links only available to associations with an English version of their websites).
Brancheforeningen for Fysiurgisk Massage
Brancheforeningen for Fysiurgisk Massage is an association for physiotherapists.
Brancheforeningen for Fysiugisk Massage is approved to register alternative practitioners.Read more about the Registration System for Alternative Practitioners (RAB)
Foreningen af Healingsterapeuter
Foreningen af Healingsterapeuter (FHT) is an association for healing therapists.
FHT is approved to register alternative practitioners.Read more about the Registration System for Alternative Practitioners (RAB)
Foreningen Nordlys RAB
Foreningen Nordlys RAB is an association for alternative practitioners.
Foreningen Nordlys RAB is approved to register the following types of alternative practitioners:
- Nordlys massage and touch therapists
- Nordlys acupuncturists
Read more about the Registration System for Alternative Practitioners (RAB)
Sammenslutning af Alternative Behandlere i Danmark
Sammenslutning af Alternative Behandlere i Danmark (SAB) is a multidisciplinary association for alternative practitioners.
SAB is approved to register the following types of alternative practitioners:
- Massage therapists
- Acupuncturists
- Kinesiologists
- Reflexologists
- Hypnosis therapists
Read more about the Registration System for Alternative Practitioners (RAB)
Danske Massører og Terapeuter
Danske Massører og Terapeuter is an association for alternative practitioners within the following fields of expertise:
- Massage
- Back therapy
- Injury therapy
- Acupuncture