subject: Massage Therapy: Remedy Muscle Spasms More Effectively [print this page] 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. 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. 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 1800s, massage therapy became very popular and this increased until the 1930s and 40s. As modern medicine developed, the benefits of massage therapy were discounted. It was used less and less. In the 1960s and 1970s 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?
It is easy to find a massage therapist. Some will have basic qualifications, others will have better. 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. There are many ways of having a massage done. There are also many types of oils, seeds etc that can be used. A person receiving a massage may be on a mat, chair, or table, usually without clothes, but covered with towels or sheets. If one is uncomfortable with this, he/she may wear underwear. 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!
Not only are there a variety of oils etc that can be used, but there are a variety of body parts used to do the massage. Pressure is applied by hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms and even feet. Go ahead, try it!
Massage Therapy: Remedy Muscle Spasms More Effectively
