| |
| |
|
Alternative Information |
|
|
|
Save This Page Understanding Massage Therapy
|
We've all heard of massage and many of us have even experienced it, in one form or another. By a masseuse who happened to be an armature, loved one or professional. If the person knew what they were doing, you came away feeling like a million bucks. But what is massage, really!
Massage or massage therapy as it has come to be known in our time, began with the ancient Egyptians, then the Greeks and finally the Romans. Yes these ancient cultures used massage therapy for both healing and pleasure. The science of massage therapy had also spread to other early cultures such as India, China and Japan. The last three went further by integrating it to form an integral part of their systems of medicine and healing.
Massage is the organized form of touch. It is performed by the hands, elbows and forearms gliding over the skin and applying pressure to the underlying muscles by a system of movements. These movements involve stroking, rubbing, pressing and kneading. Massage is not a panacea, but can greatly aid in the normal functions of the body and restore balance as well.
How Massage Works
Massage works by the body responding to the various touch techniques given to it. These touch techniques causes the body to engage in there normal functions. Massage itself, acts like a natural stimuli for the body to respond with positive effects in many different ways. Some of these therapeutic effects are, stimulating the circulation of the blood and lymph, loosening of muscular tension, toning and firming the muscles. When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone. The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles. Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions.
Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Because the appearance of the skin, is usually a good indicator of a persons inner condition. In reference to muscles, massage therapy has a good effect on the fibrous tissue surrounding the joints.
The effects of massage upon the autonomic nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin, signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. When a person is relaxed, abdominal breathing becomes more natural. I can assure you, your abdominal organs appreciate this. It's quite clear that the nervous system plays a crucial role in massage therapy. It's also responsible for the vascular system, since it controls it. A decrease in efficient drainage and supply of blood, is caused by a reduction of vascular.
Massage works by reducing stress, managing the body's waste products, fostering normal bodily functions, providing a sense of well being and boosting mental health.
The Logic of Massage
The gradual development of massage therapy into a full blown art and science can be determined as only logical. When we fall, bruise or sustain any sort of physical injury, we usually tend to touch it. Even if that act produces no form of healing solution, or does it? Touch in itself is very comforting to us. It reassures us, make us feel loved and accepted. Whenever someone is in pain, we tend to want to hug, hold or touch that person in someway. Somehow sensing that the very act of physical contact will contribute to the overall holistic health of the person. Guess what? You are correct in that assumption.
Studies have shown that, touching among other comforting and intimate contact, does assist in the overall recovery and health of a person. Whether that person is in need of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing or comfort. In looking at the big picture, I see massage therapy continuing to play an important role in human history for a long time to come. What are you waiting for, join the minions.
Gabriel Foster is the editor for http://www.gabrielfoster.com, the online magazine for both vegetarians and natural health enthusiasts.
CURE Auto Insurance Announces the Launch of a Revolutionary ... MarketWatch - PHILADELPHIA, Dec 02, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Representatives of CURE Auto Insurance announced the availability of a revolutionary new alternative in auto ... |
Integrated Asset Management Corp. Announces Results for Fiscal ... MarketWatch - However, Retail Alternative Investments was significantly affected by the crisis in the global equity markets and AUM declined approximately $180 million in ... |
Time For A Holiday Alternative Tampa Tribune, FL - By JAMIE PILARCZYK A three-year tradition at Hyde Park United Methodist Church, the Alternative Christmas Market is a way for people to find gifts that ... |
 Chicago Tribune | Faltering economy creates slowdown in alternative energy development Powell Tribune, WY - Along with the plunge in oil and gas prices — more than 50 percent since July — the push for development of alternative, renewable energy sources has also ... Haste Could Make Waste on Stimulus, States Say Governors To Meet, Ask Obama For Financial Help Democrats in House Plan a Package of Up to $500 Billion to Help States |
TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - By MATT NESTOR Sounds to me like Plaxico Burress was looking for a fight. The New York Giants receiver shot himself in the thigh Friday night when the gun ... |
 Computerworld | Image gallery: 6 alternative browsers Computerworld, MA - Camino, an open-source browser based on Mozilla's Gecko rendering engine, is clearly designed to be a simple, easy-to-use, yet fully functional browser. ... Too Good To Ignore — 6 Alternative Browsers Too good to ignore: 6 alternative browsers |
EIN News Launches Alternative Energy News Site 'Solar Energy ... MarketWatch - While environmental problems pile up around us, the world's politicians and business leaders alike realize that switching to alternative energy presents not ... |
 Earthtimes (press release) | First CNG Alternative-Fuel Trucks Arrive at Southern California ... MarketWatch - LOS ANGELES, CA, Dec 02, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- To help reduce air pollution at the busiest container seaports in the United States, ... First CNG Alternative-Fuel Trucks Arrive at Southern California ... On the Waterfront: Port cargo fee to be cut amid slump |
Alternative energy firms to get aid MLive.com, MI - by Tina Reed | The Ann Arbor News Two local companies working on alternative energy for vehicles are getting an extra boost from the state. ... |
Alternative Construction Technologies, Inc., Files Suit Against ... MarketWatch - Alternative Construction Technologies, Inc. (ACT) possesses a unique and patented construction technology called the ACTech(R) Panel System that is used in ... |
