What Is Massage?
Massage is the manual manipulation of tissues to improve health and
well-being by relaxing muscles, relieving tension, and improving circulation.
Massage has been around for thousands of years. It is probably one
of man's earliest remedies for pain relief.
The word “massage” comes from the Greek root of “masso,” which
means "to touch".
There are many different types of massage, but the most common is
Swedish, which includes deep tissue, sports massage lymphatic drainage,
nueromuscular therapy and myofascial release. Rolfing® Structural
Integration is another Western form of massage.
Asian forms of massage include Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Jin Shin Jyutsu,
and Ayurvedic treatments. Reflexology was actually developed in the
West, but derives from Eastern ideas that the body has a flow of energy,
or "chi" that can be unblocked with treatment.
Other energy-based treatments include Reiki, Polarity Therapy and
Brennan Healing Science.
Massage has signficant psychological and physiological benefits:
* It reduces tension and anxiety, calms the nervous system and promotes
a sense of relxation and well being.
* It improves blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients
to the cells.
* It stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away the body’s
waste products.
* It prevents and relieve muscles cramps and spasms.
Massage therapy can also help with pain management in conditions such
as arthritis, sciatica, muscle spasms. But many healthy people get
massage regularly because it helps them maintain physical, mental and
emotional well being.
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