THE
HISTORY OF MASSAGE
3000 BC in China, the oldest recorded medical text includes numerous
references to massage for healing purposes.
400BC Hippocrates the father of medicine strongly advocated massage,
stating: anyone wishing to study medicine must first master the
art of massage.
50BC Julius Caesar, who from neuralgia, had massage to help greater
blood flow and reduce fatty tissue beneath the skin.
1813 The Swedish professor, Pehr Henrik, developed a series of
massage techniques that became known as Swedish massage.
Today massage is becoming increasingly respected and popular. A
well-qualified therapist now has to undergo thorough training in
anatomy and physiology as well as massage.
Although modern medicine has developed ways of treating more serious
conditions, minor injury remains by far the most common musculoskeletal
problem. This may have an affect on a person's job, sport or quality
of life.
At some point in our lives everyone suffers from minor injuries,
pain or discomfort which can be helped by massage. Perhaps even
more importantly is the use of massage for the prevention of an
injury, either by stopping an injury getting worse, or preventing
an injury in the first place.
Here are just some of the areas that massage can help to treat:
* Low back pain
* Sciatica
* Tennis and Golfer's elbow
* Sprains and strains
* Stress and tension
* Many more
THE BENEFITS
The muscular system
Fibrous tissues, adhesions and old scar tissue can be broken down and cleaned
of waste deposits.
The circulatory system
Circulation is improved; it takes the pressure off the arteries and veins, helping
the flow back to the heart.
The lymphatic system
Similar to the effects on circulation, the flow of lymph is accelerated towards
the lymph glands, this will help eliminate waste and poisonous products.
The skeletal system
Bone is indirectly affected by massage which will strengthen the skeletal system.
Improvements to the circulation of blood and lymph lead to better circulation
in the underlying bones which benefit from nutrition.
The nervous system
Massage can be adapted to produce a soothing effect for disorders such as insomnia,
headaches, tension and other stress related symptoms. Or it may be used to produce
a stimulating effect increasing the activity of the muscles, vessels and glands
in cases of lethargy and fatigue.
The reproductive system
Abdominal and back massage can help to alleviate menstrual problems such as period
pains, irregular menstruation, and the symptoms of menopause.
The integumentary system (skin)
Both the activity and nutrition of the skin benefit from massage. The sweat and
sebaceous glands are stimulated, improving their function and ensuring the elimination
of waste products. Massage is able to stretch specific localised areas of tissue
in a way that may not be possible with functional exercise, improving tissue
flexibility.
The digestive system
Massage promotes the peristaltic (wave-like) motion in the colon helping to eliminate
faecal matter and combating constipation.
It also strengthens the muscular walls of the intestines and abdomen, and stimulates
the secretion of digestive juices from the liver, pancreas, stomach and intestines.
As well as helping the digestion and elimination of food, massage also increases
absorption of digestive foods.
The respiratory system
An increased activity in the lungs is stimulated by massage. As the treatment
proceeds, the breathing slows and deepens.
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