| We massage ourselves nearly every day. The | | | | are suffering from inflammation of the veins, |
| natural reaction to reach out and touch a painful | | | | varicose veins, thrombosis or if they have a |
| part of the body forms the basis of massage. As | | | | raised temperature such as occurs during a fever. |
| long ago as 3000 BC massage was used as a | | | | It is then advisable to contact a doctor before |
| therapy in the Far East, making it one of the | | | | using massage. Doctors may be able to |
| oldest treatments used by humans. In 5 BC in | | | | recommend a qualified therapist, a health centre |
| ancient Greece, Hippocrates recommended that | | | | may be able to help or contact can be made with |
| to maintain health, a massage using oils should be | | | | the relevant professional body. |
| taken daily after a perfumed bath. Greek | | | | Along with the diagnosis elements of massage |
| physicians were well used to treating people who | | | | there are great psychological benefits. During a |
| suffered from pain and stiffness in the joints. The | | | | massage the patient is coaxed from emotional |
| relaxation and healing powers of massage have | | | | and occupational stresses into the intense arena |
| been well documented over the past 5000 years. | | | | of the here and now. The importance of this kind |
| The therapeutic value of applying oils and rubbing | | | | of one on one non verbal communication can |
| parts of the body to lessen pain and prevent | | | | never be underestimated in our increasingly |
| illness was recognised amongst the ancient | | | | impersonal and detached society. |
| Mediterranean civilisations. In ancient times scented | | | | Massage has a wide range of uses for a variety |
| oils were almost always used when giving | | | | of disorders. Its strengths lie in the easing of |
| massages, creating an early form of | | | | strain and tension and inducing relaxation and |
| aromatherapy massage. | | | | serenity, plus the physical contact of the therapist. |
| Massage increased in popularity when, in the 19th | | | | Although doctors make use of this therapy in |
| century, Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish fencing | | | | conjunction with orthodox medicine, it is not to be |
| master and academic, created the basis for what | | | | regarded as a cure for diseases in itself and |
| is now known as Swedish massage. Swedish | | | | serious problems could occur if this were the |
| massage deals with the soft tissues of the body. | | | | case. |
| It is a combination of relaxing effects and | | | | Massage affects the whole body through |
| exercises that work on the joints and muscles | | | | rhythmically applied pressure. Gentle pulling and |
| but it is still based on the form that was practised | | | | stroking movements increase the circulation of |
| in ancient times. More recently, a work was | | | | the blood and cause the blood vessels to dilate. |
| published in the 1970's called The Massage Book | | | | The stimulation of nerves and blood will also |
| by George Downing and this introduced a new | | | | affect the internal organs. Lymph is a milky white |
| concept in the overall technique of massage, that | | | | liquid that carries waste substances and toxins |
| the whole person's state should be assessed by | | | | away from the tissues via the lymphatic system. |
| the therapist and not solely the physical side. The | | | | Inactivity can cause an unhealthy build up of this |
| emotional and mental states should be part of the | | | | substance and as the circulation of the lymph is |
| overall picture. Also combined in his form of | | | | largely dependent on muscle contractions, so |
| massage were the methods used in reflexology | | | | massage will help speed the lymph's progress |
| and shiatsu and this was known as therapeutic | | | | through the system. Active people can also |
| massage. The aim of this is to use relaxation, | | | | benefit from massage as strenuous activity burns |
| stimulation and invigoration to promote good | | | | up the muscle, producing an increase of waste |
| health. | | | | products in the muscle tissue. Massage will help to |
| Massage is commonly used to induce general | | | | balance the system in both cases and can |
| relaxation, so that any tension or strain | | | | increase oxygen capacity by 10-15 per cent. |
| experienced in the rush of daily life can be eased | | | | By realigning our bodies, massage can go a long |
| and eliminated. It is found to be very effective, | | | | way to repairing our generally damaged postures. |
| working on the mind as well as the body. It can | | | | Inactive lifestyles and sedentary occupations have |
| be used to treat people with hypertension, | | | | created a society of people with cramped, |
| sinusitis, headaches, insomnia and hyperactivity, | | | | stooped and neglected postures. Not only does |
| including people who suffer from heart ailments or | | | | massage help to coax the spine and |
| circulatory disorders. At the physical level, | | | | corresponding physiology back into position, it also |
| massage is intended to help the body make use | | | | makes us more aware of our bodies. Relieved of |
| of food and to eliminate the waste materials, as | | | | muscle tension, the body feels lighter and |
| well as stimulating the nervous and muscular | | | | therefore can be borne more naturally and with |
| system and the circulation of blood. Neck and | | | | more poise. Used in conjunction with postural |
| back pain are conditions from which many people | | | | therapies such as Pilates or the Alexander |
| suffer, particularly if they have not been sitting | | | | technique, massage can help achieve a relaxed |
| correctly, such as in a slightly stooped position | | | | yet controlled posture. |
| with their shoulders rounded. People whose day to | | | | Women in labour have found that the pain |
| day work involves a great deal of physical | | | | experienced during childbirth can be eased if |
| activity, such as dancers and athletes, can also | | | | massage is performed on the buttocks and back. |
| derive a great deal of benefit from the use of | | | | The massage eases the build up of tension in the |
| massage. Stiffness can be a problem that they | | | | muscles, encouraging relaxation and easing of |
| have after training or working and this is relieved | | | | labour pains. It is said to be more effective on |
| by encouraging the toxins that gather in the | | | | women who had previously experienced the |
| muscles to disappear. Massage promotes a feeling | | | | benefits and reassurance of massage. |
| of calmness and serenity and this is particularly | | | | Many of the benefits of massage come through |
| beneficial to people who frequently suffer from | | | | the healer/patient contact. Our hands are one of |
| bouts of depression or anxiety. Once the worry | | | | the most sensitive parts of the body and we |
| and depression have been dispelled, people are | | | | experience much of our sense and touch through |
| able to deal with their problems much more | | | | our hands. An experienced masseur is able is able |
| effectively and being able to do so will boost their | | | | to use his or her hands to communicate feelings |
| self confidence. | | | | of harmony and relaxation. A practised masseur |
| In hospitals, massage has been used to ease pain | | | | will also be able to diagnose the patient through |
| and discomfort as well as being of benefit to | | | | touch. He or she can 'listen' to tension and stress |
| people who are bedridden, since the flow of blood | | | | through the texture of the skin, knotted muscle |
| to the muscles is stimulated. It has also been used | | | | and stiff joints. Old and current sprains, congestion |
| for those who have suffered from a heart attack | | | | and swelling should all be obvious to a good |
| and has assisted in their recovery. A more recent | | | | masseur. The actions of massage - the stroking, |
| development has been the use of massage for | | | | kneading and pulling - detoxify the body, improving |
| cancer patients who are suffering from the after | | | | circulation and lymphatic drainage. After tension |
| effects of treatment, such as chemotherapy, as | | | | and weakness in the body have been pinpointed |
| well as the discomfort the disease itself causes. | | | | and relieved, the patient is feeling relaxed and |
| Indeed, there are few conditions when it is not | | | | energised. |
| recommended. It should not be used when people | | | | |