Holistic Massage
Holistic Massage is a bodywork that is specifically designed to relax muscles. By applying deep pressure to muscles and bones, by rubbing concurrently with the circulation towards the heart, for example Swedish Massage purposefully enhances oxygen flow in blood and helps to rid toxins in the muscles which curtails the recovery time from injuries like muscle sprains.
Holistic Massage helps to flush body tissues of lactic and uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. Aside from increasing circulation to the heart, Holistic Massage stretches ligaments and tendon making them more flexible.
Through particular techniques, Holistic massage is also known to stimulate the skin and nervous system to reduce emotional and physical stress. An effective therapy which helps in overall wellbeing, Holistic Massage is not only relaxing but can be invigorating as well.
Massage therapy is the systematized manipulation of soft tissues for the purpose of normalizing them. Practitioners use a variety of physical methods including applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, or causing movement to the body. Therapists primarily use their hands, but may also use their forearms, elbows, or feet. The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being.
Touch is the core ingredient of massage therapy and also combines science and art. Practitioners learn specific techniques for massage and use their sense of touch to determine the right amount of pressure to apply to each person and locate areas of tension and other soft-tissue problems. Touch also conveys a sense of caring, an important component in the healing relationship.
When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasm. Massage improves circulation, which increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease.
Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. It has been incorporated into many health systems, and different massage techniques have been developed and integrated into various complementary therapies.
History of Massage
Massage is deemed to be one of the oldest if not the oldest form of medical care, with evidence in Egyptian tomb paintings entries in a Chinese book from 2,700 B.C., The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. It was one of the principal method of relieving pain for Greek and Roman physicians. Ayurveda the traditional Indian system of medicine, places great emphasis on the therapeutic benefits of massage with aromatic oils and spices.
Swedish massage, the method most familiar to Westerners, was developed in the 19th century by a Swedish doctor, Per Henrik Ling. His system was based on a study of gymnastics and physiology, and on techniques borrowed from
Physiotherapy, originally based on Ling's methods, was established with the foundation in 1894 of the Society of Trained Masseurs. During World War I patients suffering from nerve injury or shell shock were treated with massage.
Massage is now used in intensive care units, for children, elderly people, babies in incubators, and patients with cancer, AIDS, heart attacks, or strokes. Most American hospices have some kind of bodywork therapy available, and it is frequently offered in health centers, drug treatment clinics, and pain clinics. A variety of massage techniques have also been incorporated into several other complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, reflexology and osteopathy.
Massage Therapy Today
Today massage is recognized for its benefits as well as the pleasure it can give. It is a holistic therapy that reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion, and increases endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Therapeutic massage enhances medical treatment and helps people feel less anxious and stressed, relaxed yet more alert. It had been said that, "Massage is to the human body what a tune-up is for a car."
More and more employers are offering massage during break times to their employees. They have found that massage therapy isn't just a perk, but actually increases employee productivity and morale. For example, according to a 1996 survey of employees who regularly receive therapeutic massage on-site at Reebok International Ltd., 98 % said it helped them reduce work-related stress; 92 % said it increased alertness, motivation and productivity; 83 % said it had in some cases sufficiently addressed a problem so medical attention was not necessary; and 66 % said it had enabled them to stay at work when they would have otherwise gone home sick.
Health Benefits of Massage
Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Treats musculoskeletal problems
- Rehabilitation post operative
- Rehabilitation after injury
- Treats musculoskeletal problems
- Rehabilitation post operative
- Rehabilitation after injury
Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy
- Fosters peace of mind
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
- Emotional Benefits
- Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Creates body awareness
- Increases awareness of mind-body connection
Who can Benefit from Massage Treatments.
If you suffer from any of the following disorders, you may benefit by clinical massage:
- Any chronic muscle or joint pain.
- A known condition of referred pain, such as "when my neck gets tense I get a headache."
- Any recurring symptoms that seem to accompany or are precipitated by muscle lightness.
- Tight muscles that are limiting the mobility of a joint.
- Chronically fatigued muscles.
- Low energy level, especially when accompanied by muscle aches and pains.
- A recent muscle injury that generates pain or dysfunction in areas not seemingly involved in the injury
- Any visceral dysfunction that tests negative for conventional causes.
- Muscle pain that recurs in an area with no apparent new cause.
- A tendency for pain to spread to other muscles whenever a simple strain or injury occurs
People find that therapeutic massage can help with a wide range of medical conditions, including:
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Asthma and bronchitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Chronic and acute pain
- Circulatory problems
- Depression
- Digestive disorders, including spastic colon, constipation and diarrhea
- Headache, especially when due to muscle tension
- Gastrointestinal disorders (including spastic colon, colic and constipation)
- Headache
- Immune function disorders
- Insomnia
- Myofascial pain (a condition of the tissue connecting the muscles)
- Premature infants
- Reduced range of motion
- Sinusitis
- Sports injuries (including pulled or strained muscles and sprained ligaments)
- Stress
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
Massage for Pain Control
- Massage confuses the body's pain signals.
- Massage also calls up the body's natural painkillers.
- Massage provides deep relaxation
- Massage relieves mental stress and anxiety.
Safety - Precautions/ Contra-Indications
Certain medical conditions require the exercise of caution concerning the advisability of giving or receiving massage.
- Seek medical advice before having a massage if you suffer from phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins, severe acute back pain, or fever.
- Swellings, fractures, skin infections, or bruises should not be massaged. Lumps and swellings should be checked by your doctor.
- Massage of the abdomen, legs, and feet should not be given during the first three months of pregnancy.
- Cancer patients are best treated by specially trained practitioners who know which areas to avoid and which kind of massage is appropriate.
If you are in any doubt, or if you or your partner are under medical supervision, check with your doctor or other qualified medical practitioner before embarking on massage therapy. This advice applies particularly in the case of cardiovascular conditions and heart disease, especially in cases of thrombosis, phlebitis and oedema.