Massage therapy and Natural healing

In the world today, everyday stress and anxiety is a monster we must all learn to battle, and for many people, especially professionals working in stressful environments, western medication, which usually only alleviates the symptoms of stress and anxiety, is simply not a viable or even effective option. As the world realizes the importance of a healthy body and natural healing without dependence on medicine, many people have turned to the ancient art of massage therapy in order to relieve both mental and physical stress and stay healthy and fit. The Uses and benefits of massage include a wide scope of physiotherapy treatments and in some cases psychological healing as well.

Historic connotation

The word ‘massage’ itself has interesting connotations with the history of massage practices amongst all great of civilizations of the world and comes from either the French ‘massage’ meaning ‘friction of kneading’ (ii), from Arabic (or Latin) ‘massa’ meaning ‘to touch, feel or handle’ (or ‘mass’/‘dough’ in Latin) (iii). In other cultures, the ancient Greek word for massage was ‘anatripsis’ (and the Latin ‘frictio’) while an older etymology may even have been a Hebrew phrase ‘me-sakj’ meaning ’to anoint with oil’ (iv).

Writings that describe or mention the art of massage and massage training have been found in many cultures throughout history, as old as biblical references dating back to circa 500BC (v) and in later writings of the great ancient physician Hippocrates, who describes it as a required knowledge for a physician (vii), while mention as old as 2700BC has also been made in ancient Chinese book ‘The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine’ (viii). Many medical procedures have been practiced for centuries in Southeast Asia involving massage treatment; including abortions and detoxification procedures.

The Massage technique

The art of massage generally involves the practice of manipulating soft tissue using physical force. This can be achieved by the application of pressure, applied through tension, motion or even vibration; a practicing massust uses the structure and principles specific to the form of massage therapy being practiced, and this structure also depends upon the specific goals of the massage therapy. The pressure required on the tissues is applied through the palms, fingers, elbows, forearm, feet or other medical aids while the tissues targeted with massage therapy include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue including lymphatic vessels and organs of the gastrointestinal system (ix).

The modern Massage Practice

The modern Massage practice is seen as an alternative to medication, and recognized for its benefits by opinion leaders in modern medicine all over the world. Going even further, modern practitioners of medicine and physiotherapy have used massage therapy on a regular basis to treat virtually any medical condition including chronic problems such as fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis while many researchers and doctors recommend massage therapy as a means of controlling the heart rate and blood pressure as well as blood and lymphatic circulation (x).

The varying forms of massage therapy provide an alternative and very successful treatment plan to aid or even lead therapy and recovery for almost any ailment from sporting injuries to chronic diseases. There are currently 26 major massage techniques in use all over the world today, and schoolsgalore.com provides you with an open book environment in which to explore the major accredited massage therapy courses available in the US and Canada through its portal. Please make use of the schoolsgalore.com directory of schools and courses offering accredited massage therapy training and right course for yourself to learn, may it be for professional purposes or simply to heal your loved ones in a very meaningful and personal way.

(i)                 This Article wishes to acknowledge helpful information and links from Wikipedia.com

(ii)               Online Etymology Dictionary definition.

(iii)             Merriam Webster Online Dictionary definition.

(iv)             Author: Calvert, R. (2002-04-01). "The History of Massage: An Illustrated Survey from Around the World". Healing Arts Press.

(v)               In the Biblical mention of the wives of Xerxes (Esther, 2:9-12).

(vi)             Saying: "The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing."

(vii)           The ancient Chinese book called Huangdi Neijing; written by the Yellow Emperor recommended "massage of skin and flesh: According to the massage facts page of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork website: http://www.ncbtmb.org/consumers_massage_facts.php

(viii)         Wikipedia.com

(ix)             Forbes ‘Massage Facts’. National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork: http://www.forbes.com/health/2006/02/28/massage-trends-pain-cx_sy_0301feat_ls.html

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