subject: Hand Massage: Ease Soreness Faster [print this page] Day in, day out, we use our handsDay in, day out, we use our hands. There isn't anything we aren't willing to do that needs to be done to keep the household running. Put away dishes, hammer in a nail, buckle the child in the car seat. Plant the garden, slice the vegetables. Our hands don't get a break. We type, despite the pain of repetitive motion. Sure, lotion will keep our skin from drying out, but what of our muscles, joints? A hand massage can feel good on hands, and cure a plethora of other internal complains.
Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue. Hand massage is done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being, as well as feeling really great on the hands. 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. A hand massage can relieve headaches, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, stomach problems and many, many others.
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?
The word massage comes from the Latin word frictio", as well as from the French word meaning friction or kneading", and the Arabic word massa" meaning to touch, feel or handle. I am always interested in finding out the origin of words, and to me this was fascinating, as each culture derived its own word and meaning. A hand massage done well is luxurious and can be done at your local spa. While these spas offer a wide variety, this may be the one for you. It will cure all those aches and pains, joints, tendons etc, while feeling great and relaxing.
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.
