Massage
Massage is considered to be among the oldest of all treatments used by man. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use.
The ancient Hindus, Persians, and Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, such as back pain, arthritis, and bursitis. Massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.
Physical and Mental Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
- Creates body awareness
- Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work
- Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
- Improves rehabilitation post operative
- Improves rehabilitation after injury
- Reduces blood pressure
- Reduces muscle spasms
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
- Increases awareness of mind-body connection
- Enhanced capacity for calm thinking and creativity
- Fosters a feeling of well-being
- Fosters peace of mind
- Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
- Helps relieve tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain
- Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
- Improves posture
- Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
- Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
- Promotes deeper and easier breathing
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Strengthens the immune system
- Treats musculoskeletal problems
- Physical and Mental Benefits of Therapeutic Massage
Anne M., W. VA
Massage therapy is the systematized manipulation of soft tissues combining science and art to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasms, and stress, and to promote general health and well being.
A massage improves the functions of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems and can result in a reduced heart rate, lower blood pressure, increased blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxed muscles, and improved range of motion. It may also improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness.
Massage is considered to be among the oldest of all treatments used by man. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use. The ancient Hindus, Persians, and Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, such as back pain, arthritis, and bursitis. Massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.
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.
