Understanding Massage Therapy

We've all heard of massage and many of us have even experienced it, in one form or another. By a masseuse who happened to be an armature, loved one or professional. If the person knew what they were doing, you came away feeling like a million bucks. But what is massage, really!

Massage or massage therapy as it has come to be known in our time, began with the ancient Egyptians, then the Greeks and finally the Romans. Yes these ancient cultures used massage therapy for both healing and pleasure. The science of massage therapy had also spread to other early cultures such as India, China and Japan. The last three went further by integrating it to form an integral part of their systems of medicine and healing.

Massage is the organized form of touch. It is performed by the hands, elbows and forearms gliding over the skin and applying pressure to the underlying muscles by a system of movements. These movements involve stroking, rubbing, pressing and kneading. Massage is not a panacea, but can greatly aid in the normal functions of the body and restore balance as well.

How Massage Works

Massage works by the body responding to the various touch techniques given to it. These touch techniques causes the body to engage in there normal functions. Massage itself, acts like a natural stimuli for the body to respond with positive effects in many different ways. Some of these therapeutic effects are, stimulating the circulation of the blood and lymph, loosening of muscular tension, toning and firming the muscles. When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone. The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles. Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions.

Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Because the appearance of the skin, is usually a good indicator of a persons inner condition. In reference to muscles, massage therapy has a good effect on the fibrous tissue surrounding the joints.

The effects of massage upon the autonomic nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin, signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. When a person is relaxed, abdominal breathing becomes more natural. I can assure you, your abdominal organs appreciate this. It's quite clear that the nervous system plays a crucial role in massage therapy. It's also responsible for the vascular system, since it controls it. A decrease in efficient drainage and supply of blood, is caused by a reduction of vascular.

Massage works by reducing stress, managing the body's waste products, fostering normal bodily functions, providing a sense of well being and boosting mental health.

The Logic of Massage

The gradual development of massage therapy into a full blown art and science can be determined as only logical. When we fall, bruise or sustain any sort of physical injury, we usually tend to touch it. Even if that act produces no form of healing solution, or does it? Touch in itself is very comforting to us. It reassures us, make us feel loved and accepted. Whenever someone is in pain, we tend to want to hug, hold or touch that person in someway. Somehow sensing that the very act of physical contact will contribute to the overall holistic health of the person. Guess what? You are correct in that assumption.

Studies have shown that, touching among other comforting and intimate contact, does assist in the overall recovery and health of a person. Whether that person is in need of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing or comfort. In looking at the big picture, I see massage therapy continuing to play an important role in human history for a long time to come. What are you waiting for, join the minions.

Gabriel Foster is the editor for http://www.gabrielfoster.com, the online magazine for both vegetarians and natural health enthusiasts.

---

Laughter and Your Health

Alternative medicine: jokes and humor for your healthWhen thinking about... Read More

Low Back Pain

About 85 percent of the population will experience disabling low... Read More

Plantar Warts Treatment - Is There A Natural Medication Which Gets Rid Of Plantar Warts?

Plantar Warts are growths which occur on the bottom of... Read More

As The Primary Care Giver for an Alzheimer?s Patient, How Can I Get a Break?

Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is... Read More

How to Clean-up Your Allergies with 2 Easy Home Tips

It's that time of year again when people who have... Read More

Mud Baths at Your Home Spa- the Pros and Cons

"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere"... Read More

What Does The Label Vegan Mean in Bedding Products?

Vegan, or vegetarian, organic fills and batting, are natural materials... Read More

Is Shiatsu Massage the Ultimate Stress Relief Treatment?

My first shiatsu massageI opened my eyes suddenly. He was... Read More

Homeopathy: A Natural Health 101 Article

What It IsIn Homeopathy, extremely dilute preparations are given to... Read More

Once You Discover and Act on This ?Secret? to Health and Energy, You May be Changed for the Better

I discovered something completely, 100% amazing about 5 years ago.... Read More

Colloidal Silver - Time For a Comeback?

I'm sure you know what it's like to be sick.... Read More

How to Avoid Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Your Area Rugs and Other Home Furnishings

You purchase a beautiful area rug. You know just where... Read More

Honey - Natural Treatment for Wounds and Burns

Honey is a highly concentrated sugar solution produced by honeybees.... Read More

Constipation: the Fast, Easy Answer to Something No One Talks About

Everyone jokes about constipation, but it's no joke if you're... Read More

Pyrethre: Pest Terminator

HistoryThe pyrethre herb is supposedly named after a famous temple... Read More

Mood Stabilizers & Mood Enhancers - A Remedy to Naturally Boost Mood & Alleviate Depression

Depression and mood disorders are very prevalent mental health issues... Read More

How To Improve Your Mood And Health With Deep Breathing Exercises

It is relatively well known now that exercise releases endorphins... Read More

Crystal Healing

Ask and you shall receive!! Persuaded by popular demand, I... Read More

How the Subconscious Reasons When It Communicates With You About Pain Relief

The subconscious is a strange creature. It doesn't know what... Read More

Emotrance & Well-Being

Are you ready to easily release worry, pain or fear... Read More

How To Prevent The Flu

Can you prevent the flu? or is it just luck... Read More

Getting into The Zone with The Alexander Technique

Have you ever attempted to perform a simple act and... Read More

How I Was Overtaken By Evil Eye Envy!

You are about to embark on a journey that only... Read More

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines... Read More

Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts For Constipation Relief

Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using... Read More

Reiki-Seichem

Seichem - The Elemental Healing RaysSince the emergence of Reiki... Read More

Get Your ZZZZZZ?s Naturally

Insomnia ? according to the dictionary is a chronic inability... Read More

The Healing Effect of Scented Candles

In June 2002, I was a bridesmaid at my cousin's... Read More

Holistic Methods: Hemp Seed Oil and Aromatherapy in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Aromatherapy is a well known holistic method for healing, but... Read More

Arthritis Pain: Why Visualizations May Be Able to Provide Relief

Over 100 different types of arthritis exist, but by far... Read More

An Aspirin A Day Can Give You Cancer

I want to share a health alert with you. So... Read More

Body Mass Index Is Not The Only Focus of Your Weight Loss Plan. Think About The Stress in Your Mind

The first of January will bring a new group of... Read More

Home Saunas and Kits: Benefits, Pre-Planning, and Purchasing Tips

For quite some time now home saunas have gained massive... Read More