subject: Massage Therapy: Remedy Soreness More Effectively [print this page] Do you have aches, pains, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure? Maybe your ailment is diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, quitting smoking, depression, found what ails you yet? Perhaps it's lower back pain, maybe arthritis? All of these, as well as a tremendous amount of other ailments can be treated with massage therapy.
Many physical rehabilitation programs accept this as an acceptable form of treatment. Millions of people the world over are convinced that massage therapy helps relieve these symptoms, as well as the tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.
This is not a new medical breakthrough, no, this art has been practiced throughout the world. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and even Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.
Are you interested in finding how this art of massage is practiced? Many, many, many methods, over 250 to be precise, are used. Some of these are tapping, kneading, vibration, rocking, applying pressure to muscles, stroking and compression!
All sorts of massage therapy started to become quite popular in the US in the 1800's and continued to grow in popularity until the 1930's and 40's when modern medicine breakthroughs discounted its benefits, and use dwindled. Nurses began to use it in the 1960's and 1970's to alleviate pain in patients. In the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta massage was deemed a core medical service, which gave it great credibility. It is good enough for world class athletes! Feel like trying it?
So, how do you find a massage therapist? Well, as with everything, there are qualifications, and there are genuine qualifications. You can ask your doctor to refer you to one he/she works with. Sometimes this is even covered by insurance.
There are so many types of massage, and it is done in a variety of ways with a variety of ancient remedies. The person is either on a table, chair, or a mat, and is generally unclothed, but may be modestly covered with towels or sheets. If the person is uncomfortable with this, she/he may wear underwear. Some massage therapists use oil, or even such thing as body rocks! Different oils can be used to stimulate blood flow and relaxation.
Some massage therapists use oil, or even such thing as body rocks! Different oils can be used to stimulate blood flow and relaxation. A body rock can be either cold or warm and coated in different sorts of oils such as fractionated coconut oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, macadamia oil, sesame oil, pecan oil and mustard and aromatherapy oils. You may even be surprised to find it is covered by insurance.
As well as a plethora of oils, there are many body parts used to give a massage. A massage can be applied by using the masseuses hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms or feet. Yes, feet! You can be walked on by someone, and, if done properly, it can feel good.