| Throughout history, humans have employed the | | | | Massage appears to both dull the intensity of pain |
| art of massage as a means towards greater | | | | during treatment and reduce the level of pain |
| relaxation and health. The cultures which we | | | | when it re-occurs. Sometimes, massage therapy |
| regard as the foundations of our civilization | | | | can rid the patient of specific chronic pain |
| including Rome, medieval China and Japan, India, | | | | altogether. |
| Greece, and even ancient Egypt, all practiced | | | | Stress Relief: |
| forms of massage. In addition, many cultures | | | | Perhaps the best known massage applications is in |
| which have not traditionally been considered | | | | the reduction of stress on the individual patient. |
| "civilized" have used massage in many different | | | | Massage's traditional application has been in the |
| applications. | | | | form of a relaxant, allowing the pressure of life to |
| Today, the benefits of massage and massage | | | | drift away amidst pressures placed on the |
| therapy are well known, and have in fact been | | | | physical form of the patient. |
| documented in peer reviewed medical research. | | | | As stress is a factor in the everyday life of |
| This means that the best minds in the medical | | | | every human, stress reduction is the most |
| field endorse massage and massage therapy in a | | | | widespread application of massage therapy. |
| number of different situations. | | | | Massage has been proven not only to reduce |
| Just what are the situations in which massage | | | | stress but also to alleviate stress induced |
| therapy may be called for? Let's take a look at | | | | symptoms on both the physical and mental levels. |
| some common occurrences which may lead you | | | | Why Does Massage Therapy Work? |
| to seek massage therapy. | | | | While the benefits of massage have been proven |
| An Injury: | | | | at almost every level that matters to science |
| For many, massage therapy is a key component | | | | (the one exception being double blind experiments, |
| in their road to recovery after sustaining an injury. | | | | as one involving massage is impossible to design), |
| Whether the injury in question was a pulled | | | | the question of why massage works remains a |
| muscle or a broken bone, increasing levels of | | | | mystery. Multiple theories exist that suggest why |
| massage as healing takes place can greatly aid | | | | massages are effective in so many |
| the process. | | | | circumstances. It may activate an increased blood |
| Pain Relief: | | | | flow, improve sleep, release endorphins, or any |
| Many people suffer from chronic pains, although | | | | number of other potentially beneficial reactions |
| those pains do not occur due to a past injury. | | | | within the body. |
| The pains may be in the form of migraine | | | | While the reason behind massage therapy's |
| headaches or joint inflammation, incurred through | | | | effectiveness continues to evade science, the |
| age or environment. | | | | benefits themselves are undisputed. Massages are |
| In these cases, the pressure applied through | | | | a key component to an overall healthy person, |
| different types of massage can greatly alleviate | | | | whether it is being used preventatively or for |
| the amount of suffering a person is feeling. | | | | healing purposes. |