Massage
Massage is one of the
simplest ways to achieve and maintain good health, to show someone
that you care, or to comfort and soothe.
Massage is probably one of the oldest healing therapies known
to man, it is an extension of basic instinct seen in animals and
humans alike. The basis of massage is touch, which is the most
fundamentally important human need. If touch is absent in our
lives all sorts of problems can occur ranging from babies failing
to thrive, irritability and bad behaviour in children and depression
in adults.
Massage relaxes, stimulates,
comforts and soothes, shows caring and empathy, relives stress,
anxiety and depression, alleviates pain, reduces symptoms of minor
illnesses, improves emotional and physical well-being, and the
list goes on.
The important thing
about massage is that anyone can do it and anyone can receive
it. There are no side affects, it can be adapted to individual
needs, and most importantly it makes the receiver and the giver
feel good. In the frantic materialistic world we live in many
people have lost touch with their inner feelings and in particular
how to feel good about themselves. We use our hands to promote
healing in many different ways and for thousands of years all
over the world. There are recorded comments about massage by the
Greek Physician Hippocrates who noted in the 5th century BC that
“rubbing can bind a joint that is too lose and loosen a
join that is too rigid…hard rubbing binds, much rubbing
causes parts to waste, and moderate rubbing makes them grow”
In India massage plays
an important part in Ayurvedic (Art of Life) medicine which dates
back over 3,000 years. Chinese medicine dating frm 3rd century
BC and The Yellow Emperor’s Classic on Internal Medicine
informs that massage as a form of medical treatment was specific
to central people of China who “suffer from complete paralysis
and chills and fever”. Aveicenna the great Persian physician
(980-1037 AD) also wrote of massage.
Massage is truly a
complimentary therapy that can benefit us all and should be an
integral part of our lives to help us attain and maintain good
health. Whether we have a condition or illness, or nothing wrong
with us at all, the benefits of a massage are wonderful and should
not be missed by anyone. Whatever life takes out of us, massage
will always put back.