What is Massage therapy & its benefits?

Massage basically can be done using hands or other mechanical means to manoeuvre the soft tissues of the skin and more importantly the muscles in the human body.  It has a variety of uses but for some the common ones are for relaxation and alleviate stress.
Massage is soothing and relaxing it allows the recipient to relax and ‘let go’.  It can also be stimulating as the body itself is stirred and switched on by massage. 

‘relax and let go’

Massage has a variety of effects to the body it helps the digestion of food and waste removal from the body, aids in skin disposal, renewal and promote cell renewal.  But noticeably it can relax muscles preventing stiffness and spasm.  Massage can be instinctive – when we fall over or bang ourselves we use our hands to calm that area.  Massage follows on from the instinctive way of calming down the ache and pain. Massage is a comforting treatment to experience, many find it gives a sense of security and well being.

‘soothe and comfort’

Massage can benefit the individual at both a cellular level right through to aiding the body function and prevent disease.  It affects both the physiological and the psychological and has benefits in the short term and the long term e.g.. Short term – relax the mind, body, soothe and comfort the client, increase energy and give a lift to emotions and feelings; in the long term – it can relax the whole body and mind, improve self esteem, awareness and body image.

Massage Therapy – and it’s History

Massage and its use can be dated back as early as 3000BC in China and also has ancestry where it has been used in Indian, Persian, Greek and Roman cultures. Archaeological studies have shown a lot of ancient cultures have utilised some form of “healing touch” utilising a ritual leader using oils, herbs and other natural substances.

‘healing touch’

Famously it was the Greeks who brought massage to the Romans.  The Romans adopted this as a key feature when using there own famous Roman baths a place where trade and social gatherings took place.  The Romans used massage to treat not just stiffness, sore muscles and joints but to cure disease; strengthen the body and improve circulation.  Roman soldiers were given this treatment before and after periods of fighting.  Caesar has described massage as being ‘pinched all over daily’ for his relief and prevention of epileptic fits and neuralgia.

‘60’s and 70’s attitudes’

From the 20th century massage began to expand and be regarded as an alternative therapy.  In the 60’s and 70’s attitudes to disease have become more humanistic.  Things like surroundings, atmosphere, how the client feels became equally as important as the massage techniques used.

‘stress’

Today ‘stress’ is increasingly recognised as a major factor for a range of medical problems experienced by us all.  It has been seen that there is an increase in stress related illness e.g. Irritable Bowel  Syndrome, high blood pressure, insomnia, headaches etc.  As people work and live in pressurised work environments with many brought on features e.g. unrealistic timescales, inability to relax, not enough exercise.  Living in western society is very difficult  and as a consequence there are many diseases, disorders experienced by many today.  Many professionals are believing a more holistic approach when dealing with clients and taking it as a priority.  Holistic massage plays an important part in this.

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