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 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. |
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