subject: Massage Therapy: Ease Aches 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.
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. 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!
Massage therapy became popular in the US in the 1800's and grew in popularity until the 1930's and 40's. The development of modern medicine discounted its benefits, and use dwindled. It made a re-appearance in the 1960's and 1970's 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?
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. 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. Wow, what a combination, sounds like it could be a great trail mix or salad dressing, doesn't it?
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.
