Massage Therapy
Living creatures instinctively know that the application of touch can heal. Humans have the ability to touch with consciousness and refinement. Massage uses a variety of strokes and techniques to encourage blood and lymph circulation, relaxation of muscles and soft tissue, structural balance and flexibility. Massage is known to elicit a deep sense of peace and relaxation. A massage treatment can promote healing on physical, mental and emotional levels. Physical — Massage therapy is designed to stretch and loosen muscles, improve blood flow and the movement of lymph throughout the body, facilitate the removal of metabolic wastes resulting from exercise or inactivity, and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue. In addition, massage stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers into the brain and nervous system. Mental — Massage therapy provides a relaxed state of alertness, reduces mental stress and enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity. Emotional — Massage therapy reduces anxiety levels, creates a feeling of relaxation and well-being and satisfies the need for caring and nurturing touch. People throughout the life cycle, from the very young to the very old, all find that a professional massage can have special applications suited for their needs. Therapeutic massage methods used today have both Eastern and Western origins. The first written records of massage date back 3,000 years to early Chinese folk medicine and ancient Ayurvedic medicine of India. Shiatsu acupressure and reflexology spring from these Eastern sources, as do other contemporary methods. Evidence of using massage as a form of therapy has also been depicted in Egyptian hieroglyphs and in ancient Egyptian tombs. Western civilizations were introduced to therapeutic massage by Greek and Roman physicians. Modern Western massage is credited primarily to Peter Heinrik Ling, a 19th century Swedish athlete. His approach, which combined hands-on techniques with active movements, became known as Swedish massage, still one of the most commonly used methods in the Western world. Myriad research studies confirm that massage therapy provides physical, mental and emotional benefits at all stages of life. In many countries, massage therapy is an integral and important part of the healthcare system, with massage therapists working alongside doctors. While many physicians support the discipline, the United States of America is the only developed country where massage therapy is not yet an official part of the healthcare system. This is a mistaken perception that is rapidly changing as massage therapy becomes increasingly accepted as a natural part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, according to one media characterization, “massage is to the human body what a tune-up is to a car. It provides a physical boost to the weary, sore and stressed.”
Questions and answers
What are the key benefits of massage therapy?
Who can benefit from massage therapy?
What is the origin of therapeutic massage?
What do research studies say about massage therapy?
How is massage therapy regarded by the medical community?
Is massage therapy a luxury?
Benefits of massage:
