subject: Hand Massage Ease Aches Faster [print this page] Our hands. When are we not using them? Perhaps when we sleep. We clean, scrub twist, grab. We type on computers, buckle child car seats.. The list goes on! We can use lotion to care for our skin, but what about muscle or joint strain? What about the pain of overuse? Hand massage may be what we've been unknowingly seeking, not only to relieve hand pains and aches, but also to help a long list of problems.
Have you ever had a massage? Do you think this is something new? No, it is not a new medical breakthrough, 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. Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue. A hand massage will enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being and can help with a host of issues ranging from headache to stomach problems.
Massage therapy became popular in the US in the 1800s and grew in popularity until the 1930s when the development of modern medicine discounted its benefits, and use dwindled. It made a re-appearance in the 1970s when nurses began to use it to alleviate pain in patients. In the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta massage was deemed a core medical service, which gave it great credibility. If it can be used in the Olympics, don't you want it?
When studying different languages, one can't deny how exciting it is to discover that many cultures have the same word and customs of massage. The word comes from the Latin word friction", as well as from the French word meaning friction or kneading", and the Arabic word massage" meaning to touch, feel or handle.
When having a hand massage, we must realize that there are a variety of specific pressure points that relate directly to different parts of the body. Every part of the hand has pressure points, including the back, fingers and the palm. Each pressure point is numbered. A weak bladder can be relieved by rubbing on point #31.The middle finger tip, when rubbed on the side will relieve fatigue. When looking for constipation relief, look no further than pressure point #22 and twist. Dizzy? Try having point#33 rubbed. Your local spa technician will be able to perform a hand massage for you, and also give you a map of the hand with the ailments and pressure points numbered. Go ahead, try it out. Find your ailment, then look no further than your local spa.
