Massage Therapy History

Massage  An Introduction - Massage Therapy Information…

We massage ourselves nearly every day. The natural reaction to reach out and touch a painful part of the body forms the basis of massage. As long ago as 3000 BC, massage was used as therapy in the Far East, making it one of the oldest treatments used by humans.

In 5 BC, in ancient Greece, Hippocrates recommended that to maintain health, a massage using oils should be taken daily after a perfumed bath. Greek physicians were well used to treating people who suffered from pain and stiffness in the joints. The relaxation and healing powers of massage have been well documented over the last 5,000 years.

The therapeutic value of applying oils and rubbing parts of the body to lessen pain and prevent illness was recognised amongst the ancient Mediterranean civilisations. In ancient times scented oils were almost always used when giving massages, creating an early form of aromatherapy massage.

Massage increased in popularity when, in the 19^th century Per Henrik Ling, created the basis for what is now known as Swedish massage. Swedish massage deals with the soft tissues of the body. This type of massage is a combination of relaxing effects and exercises that work on the joints and muscles, but it is still based on the form that was practised in ancient times.

More recently, a work was published in the 1970’s called ‘The Massage Book’ by George Downing, and this introduced a new concept in the overall technique of massage. This is that the whole person’s state should be assessed by the therapist and not just the physical side. The emotional and mental states should be part of the overall picture. Also combined in his form of massage were the methods used in reflexology and shiatsu, and this was known as therapeutic massage. The aim of this is to use relaxation, stimulation and invigoration to promote good health.

Massage is commonly used to induce general relaxation, so that any tension or strain that is experienced can be eased and eliminated. It is found to be very effective, working on the mind as well as the body. It can be used to treat people with hypertension, sinusitis, headaches, insomnia and hyperactivity.

At the physical level, massage is intended to help the body make use of food and to eliminate the waste materials, as well as stimulating the nervous and muscular systems and the circulation of blood. Neck and back pain are conditions from which many people suffer, particularly if they have not been sitting correctly, such as in a slightly stooped position with their shoulders rounded.

People whose day to day work involves a great deal of physical activity, such as dancers and athletes, can also derive a great deal of benefit from the use of massage. Stiffness can be a problem that they have after training or working, and this is relieved by encouraging the toxins that gather in the muscles to disperse.

Massage promotes a feeling of calmness and serenity, and this is particularly beneficial to people who frequently suffer from bouts of depression or anxiety. Once the worry and depression have been dispelled, people are able to deal with their problems much more effectively and, being able to do so, will boost their self confidence.

Get More information and advice on Massage and Massage Therapy at : Deep Massage Therapy

Back Pain Can Be Such a Pain in the Neck

Lots of people go to chiropractors looking for relief from back pain.  If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a chiropractor’s office, you’re not alone.  Basically the chiropractor tries to relieve the pressure and compression in a spine that’s resulted from tension, strain or even injury.    Stress is a more frequent cause of back pain than people believe.

Spine compression can be really painful.  When the vertebrae in the back compress, they can press on nerves.  When a nerve is pinched, the pain can be ongoing and debilitating.  You can get a lot more than a back ache too when this happens.  You can get headaches or neck pain that keeps you from moving normally.

Chiropractors use manual pressure near and on the spine to decompress the vertebrae and loosen any tight muscles and ligaments.  You can supplement your chiropractor visits with some stretching exercises at home to keep your back nice and limber.

There are also many very effective natural remedies for relieving back pain and also methods of prevention that are well worth checking out.

We will try to review the top manuals and ebooks available so that readers and sufferers will be able to make informed choices as to how best to gain relief from debilitating back pain.

Meantime, you can get a FREE Special Report entitled, - “Back Pain Relief - An Easy Way”

Get Your Free Back Pain Report Here