All about massage
Brief history of massage
Massage may be the oldest and simplest form of medical care. Paintings in Egyptian tombs show people receiving massages. Massage has been practiced continuously since ancient times in Eastern cultures. It was one of the main pain relief methods of Greek and Roman physicians. Julius Caesar is said to have received a daily massage to treat neuralgia (nerve pain). In the V century a. C., the father of Western medicine, Hippocrates wrote in the book The doctor must have experience in many things, "but surely rubbing ... because rubbing can join a joint that is too loose and loosen a joint that is too stiff ".
The massage lost some of its value and prestige with the unpleasant image created by the "massage parlors". This image fades as people understand that massage can alleviate illness and aid relaxation. As more people learn about the benefits of massage and its relationship to illness, the more acceptable it will become.
Massage is now used in intensive care units, for children, the elderly, babies in incubators, and patients with cancer, AIDS, heart attacks, or strokes. Most American hospices have some type of body therapy available and it is often offered at health centers, drug treatment clinics, and pain clinics.
Common types of massage
Massage therapists can specialize in more than 80 different types of massage, called modalities. Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology, acupressure (similar to acupuncture but without needles), sports massage, and neuromuscular massage are just a few of the many approaches to massage therapy. Most masseurs specialize in various modalities, requiring different techniques. Some use exaggerated strikes that cover the length of a part of the body (such as the leg), while others use quick, percussion-like strikes with a closed or cupped hand. A massage can last 2 to 3 hours or as short as 5 to 10 minutes. Generally, the type of massage that is administered depends on the needs and physical condition of the client. For example, therapists may use special techniques for older clients that they would not use for athletes, and would use approaches for injured clients that would not be appropriate for clients seeking relaxation. Also, some forms of massage are given to only one type of client; for example, prenatal massages and infant massages are given to pregnant women and new mothers, respectively.
Benefits of massage
Massage therapy is the practice of using touch to manipulate the soft tissues and muscles of the body. It is done for a variety of reasons, including treating painful ailments, decompressing overworked and tired muscles, reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries, and promoting general health. Clients often seek massages for their medical benefit and relaxation purposes, and there is a wide range of massage treatments available.
Massage therapy has many benefits, from increasing circulation and immunity to reducing pain caused by illness and injury. Massage therapy releases "wellness" hormones, allowing the client to relax and de-stress. If clients don't control stress, it can lead to illness and worsen conditions that already exist.
Massage is beneficial for everyone; from premature babies to the elderly. Massage helps babies thrive and grow; helps children with a variety of medical, physical, and emotional problems; and it helps ease the pain of people who are dying.