What ails you? Is it aches and pains, perhaps bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure? Maybe your ailment is diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, depression? Maybe you are trying to stop smoking. Do you have low back pain, maybe arthritis? All of these, as well as an enormous number of other ailments can be treated with massage therapy.
This is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs. Millions throughout the world will attest, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.
Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue. This is done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being. If you are looking to modern medicine to cure your issues, maybe you are looking in the wrong place. The art of massage dates way back, back to over 3000 years. It has been documented by the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians. They all applied forms of massage for many ailments. Hippocrates even wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.
So, how is this cure practiced? Well, there are a variety of methods, over 250 to be precise. Some include tapping, kneading, vibration, rocking, applying pressure to muscles, stroking and compression! Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue. This is done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being.
In the early 1800's, massage therapy became very popular and this increased until the 1930's and 40's. As modern medicine developed, the benefits of massage therapy were discounted. It was used less and less. In the 1960's and 1970's nurses began to use it to alleviate pain in patients. Again, its popularity grew until finally in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta massage was deemed a core medical service, which gave it great credibility. It's good enough for the Olympics, how about you?
Are you interested yet? Next step is how do you find a massage therapist? First you have to research what sort of qualifications you are seeking in a therapist. Your doctor may refer you to one he/she works with.
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.
As far as remedies, oils may be used to cause relaxation or to stimulate blood flow. Body rocks, warm and cold 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 are also used. What a combination!
Different therapists will use different body parts used to do the massage. Pressure is applied by hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms and even feet. I know you want one, go ahead, enjoy yourself.
