Massage Therapy is an ancient healing art that has been practiced for thousands of years. We can find reference to massage in text written by the Yellow Emperor and historical records show it was also practiced by the Greeks and Roman.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the practice seemed to decline in western society, but was revived with the reintroduction of a massage called “The Swedish Massage.”
The art of massage is a series of hands movements, use of fingers and even forearms and a system of stroking, feeling, kneading and pressure on certain points of the body, to help relieve pain, relax muscles and reduce stress. A gentle massage stimulates the nerve endings in the skin and this transmits messages to the brain and “feel good” hormones are released.
Some massages are performed while the client is fully clothed while other massages are through skin contact and the use of oils or balm.
For maximum benefit, massage therapy should be practiced by a qualified therapist but it is the reassuring and nurturing that can be so effective when practiced by anyone.
There are several therapeutic benefits also to the whole body. The nervous system is relaxed and headaches can be eliminated, the muscular system is affected by the reduction of pain and stiffness, the skeletal system is benefited by pain and stiffness being alleviated in the joints. Massage is an excellent way of improving the circulatory system. Accumulated waste and toxins can be eliminated from the lymphatic system. The respiratory system is benefited by the elimination of mucus and bronchial secretion from the lungs. The digestive system and also the reproductive system also benefit. It is one of the most pleasant ways to benefit your entire body.
The types of massage that are the most common are:
- · Swedish
- · Thai
- · Remedial
- · Sports
- · Shiatsu
- · Chinese
- · Reflexology
- · Lymphatic
- · Hawaiian or lomi lomi
- · Rolfing
- · Deep Tissue
Massage can be carried out from babyhood. There are a growing number of groups that teach mothers – infant massage. This is excellent for the baby and can assist with babies suffering from colic and can also improve their sleep and eating patterns.