Massage therapists who incorporate elements of conscious breathing into sessions will promote clients’ ability to experience more dramatic, healthful results than those who receive massage alone. Massage focusing on the chest area and abdominal muscles can relax the muscles used for conscious respiration, paving the way for clients who have difficulty with breathing exercises. By instructing clients on the benefits and techniques of abdominal breathing, massage therapists can provide a self-empowering tool. Through the increased amount of oxygen supplied by abdominal breathing, massage therapists can amplify the benefits of their work.
(Source: Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies, www.integrative-healthcare.org)
