Massage Therapy – Reap The Benefits
Lucy Bartlett
Captain Hook is sitting in front of a job counselor’s desk and
she's saying, "Hmmm...your top choices are piracy or massage
therapy. Let's see if we can narrow this down a bit”. We had
our fun at the expense of massage therapy, now let us find what
is massage therapy and its best features.
Massage therapy is applied to manipulate joints and the soft
tissue of the body. Soft tissues include tendons and associated
fascia, skin, ligaments and muscles.
Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced by the
celebrated Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian civilizations.
4700 years ago, ancient eastern Chinese practiced massage to
heal a variety of ailments from paralysis to labour pains.
Ayurvedha, a traditional form of Indian medicine uses a variety
of aromatherapy oils and spices to give massage therapy.
Introduced in 19th century, the Swedish massage is the most
practiced form in western culture. The Swedish therapy is said
to have borrowed many of the techniques from Rome, Greece,
Egypt and China.
In western hospitals, soldiers who fought in World War I were
administered massage for nerve damage and to soothe shell
shock. Many of our now popular modern massage techniques were
created in order to heal specific health conditions.
When massage therapy is given to a person, many different
physiological effects are achieved while the therapist’s hands
move over the body. The different movements can physically
stretch tendons and fascia, ligaments and muscles. Massage
therapy also encourages the circulation through the tissue,
inhibits muscular spasms and can be either stimulating or
sedating to the nervous system.
Health problems can benefit from massage therapy since the
manipulation of soft tissues affects many of our bodily
systems.
Benefits from massage therapy are extensive. Massage therapy
treatment can develop, rehabilitate or augment physical
function. Relief from physical dysfunction and pain can also be
achieved. Tightened and tense muscles can be relaxed. Massage
therapy also improves the recovery time, circulation and immune
system function. It creates a sense of relaxation and well
being, reduces stress and controls acute or chronic pain by
massage therapy.
Today, massage therapy is used for treating a wide range of
ages – from senior to babies in a variety of intensive care,
health club, and health clinic and hospital settings.
To get even glide and a smooth workability, oils are applied in
massage therapy. Some popular oils used are Almond oil,
Grapeseed oil, Apricot oil, Avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Wheat germ
oil and Hazelnut oil.
About The Author: Lucy Bartlett is a proud contributing author.
Find more articles at http://consumerresourcesportal.info/ For
more info visit http://onlinetherapyresource.info/ or
http://onlinetherapyresource.info/massage-therapy.html
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