Massage Therapy

The History of Massage is ancient. Documented writings from the Egyptian times along with tomb paintings indicate massage was used on a daily basis. The well known and revered Chinese book of medicine known as The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, circa appx 2,700 B.C., recommends “massage of the skin and flesh, breathing exercises, and exercises of the hands and feet” as appropriate treatment for “complete paralysis, chills and fever”.

Massage was used by Julius Caesar. Greek and Roman physicians used it for many illnesses such as pain relief. And, Hippocrates, the father of Western Medicine, wrote…”rubbing can bind a loose joint and loosen a bound joint.”

Massage has continued through the centuries and across the world as a valid and well used form of healing. The traditional Indian method, known as Ayurveda, is a combination of massage technique coupled with the use of essential oils and spices. This was the precursor of today’s Aromatherpy applications.

Swedish massage was born of Dr. Per Henrik Ling. His technique was based on a combination including sports (gymnastics), the physiology of these types of injuries, and the techniques of Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman massage methodologies.

Physiotherapy, originally based on Ling’s methods, was establishes in 1894 by the Society of Trained Masseurs.

Massage was used during World War I in London and until 1934, St’ Thomas’s Hospital had a Department of Massage. The technology of electrical stimulation for muscle maladies eventually replaced massage therapy until recently.

The overall acceptance of massage therapy was blackened by the unsavory image and practice known as ‘massage parlors.

However, over the recent decade, the benefits of massage therapy are becoming known again. Hospitals are using this modality in their Intensive Care Units, Neonatal Units, with the elderly. Hospice Centers world-wide implement massage therapy as a standard and regular form of relaxation and pain relief. People suffering from Cancer, AIDS, Stroke, as well as other chronic conditions, are finding pain relief and healing from the many forms of massage therapy.

Types of Massage

Relaxation Therapy
An evenly applied flowing style – promoting overall relaxation, improves circulation, range of motion and relieves muscle tension.
The benefits of massage therapy are becoming well known outside the medical world. The world of corporate business has taken massage therapy to heart. Many businesses offer this therapy to their employees during the business day right in their offices. The business owner has begun to understand that a happy, healthy, low stress employee is of great value to their enterprise.

Swedish Massage
This therapy relaxes the muscles through pressure applied to both muscles and joints with soothing strokes returning blood to the heart. This increases oxygen flow and releases toxins from the muscles.

Deep Tissue Therapy
Deep tissue massage works the deeper muscles to release tension. Applied with slow strokes and concentrated pressure, this technique loosens muscles allowing for the release of toxins from deep muscle tissues.

Sports Therapy
This unique form of massage is typically used in concert with athletic exercises. Sports Massage Therapy prepares an athlete’s body for performance by relieving fatigue, and reducing swelling thereby promoting flexibility which helps in preventing injuries. This therapy can also assist in the healing of minor injuries from excess activity. This therapy utilizes various massage styles including Swedish and Deep Tissue along with deep stretches.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese technique using acupressure type points. Pressure is applied along meridians in conjunctions with specific areas of need or for a more general full body balancing of Chi. This therapy either stimulates or disperses Chi to balance the body’s energy. Typically, a session is done fully clothed and on the floor with the recipient laying on a mat and pillows on the floor (or table).

Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy may be added to any type of massage by adding the use of essential oils to assist in promoting health and balanced Chi.

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In the past, when most Americans thought of medicine, they centered their idea of getting better on the practice of Western medicine. Now, the ancient art of Massage Therapy is quickly becoming an accepted Eastern modality of the Western medicine genre.

Health Benefits Of Massage Therapy

• Muscle Tension Reduction
• Blood Circulation
• Movement/Flow of Lymph
• Increased Range of Motion and Mobility
• Stimulation and/or Calming Effect on the Nervous System
  
• Improves Health of the Skin
• Improves Digestion and Intestinal Function
• Relieves Acute and Chronic Pain
• Improves Immune System Health
• Reduces Stress

Massage Therapy results in an overall improvement of the body’s physical health, the balancing of the Mind and the soothing of the Spirit, thus improving one’s quality of life.