Massage
What is Massage?
Massage is the manipulation of the bone, ligament and muscle structure of the body, often with the purpose of relaxation, muscle recuperation or the release of energy blockages in the form of knots and tight spots. Soft tissues in the body are made more pliable after a manual pummeling, in short, and the circulation of blood and oxygen in these areas increases. A freely circulating body is a well-functioning body, since wastes are effectively excreted and nutrients are more readily absorbed when blood circulation is healthy. In this way, massage promotes a healthy body by stimulating circulation to knotty areas of the body which are experiencing poor circulation, and thus restoring normal bodily functions.
Why would I Need a Massage?
In short, the habits we form as a result of daily stressors results in the gradual development of poor posture, tense and tight shoulders, cramps due to clenched muscles we weren’t even aware we were clenching, the list goes on! And how many of us take half an hour each night to stretch these muscular aches and pains away? In the words of wise man Scribe, not many, if any.
Regular massage helps to alleviate all the aches and strains created from poor posture and misuse of the body. Specfic techniques have been developed over thousands of years with different massage therapies like Shiatsu, Swedish and Chinese massage therapy targeted at restoring the normal muscle texture and increasing blood supply to these tight areas.
Even if you don’t feel as if you have any problem areas holding tension or strain, a massage can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience! The sensory indulgence of being touched in a non-sexual way has been lost somewhere along the lines, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important. Babies who are not shown love through the important mode of touch soon die...this is testament to the power of touch and its necessity in our lives. It’s just part of being a human. If you are somewhat uncomfortable with the prospect of a full body massage from a complete stranger at a massage clinic, start off with a neck and shoulder rub. Work your way up gradually to the full body experience. Every part of your body deserves to be celebrated as a sensory organ, and the benefits you can hope to achieve from regular massage include overall reductions in stress and muscle tension, as well as increased circulation to extremities and even improved digestion!
How Do I Go About Choosing a Massage Therapist?
As our knowledge improves on the benefits of natural therapies like massage, the industry for these therapies increases and it’s almost impossible to choose which therapist is best for your needs. There are a few general points to keep in mind when choosing a massage therapist that will be best tailored to your needs, however.
First of all, if you have a specific muscle injury that needs attending to, it’s probably best to see a remedial massage therapist that specialises in dealing with muscle rehabilitation and injuries. It’s important to point out any injuries you may have on presenting to your massage therapist, because some injuries can be aggravated with some massage styles.
For relaxation purposes, massage techniques such as aromatherapy massage and bowen therapy focus more on gentle sweeping and rhythmic movements that are more relaxing than the deeper tissue massage styles.
Rejuvenating massage styles that clear energy blockages and work through knots in muscles include Shiatsu, Chinese, Deep Tissue and Swedish massage. The focus is on firm movements that penetrate the muscle structures deeply to release tension and promote circulation to these tightened areas.
Massage is a feel-good way to heal pain, promote healthy body functioning and relax! Why deprive yourself any longer...?
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