Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the healing art in which hand manipulation of the body is employed to create a feeling of relaxation, ease mental and physical tensions, alleviate aches and pains, improve circulation, and generally reinvigorate and stimulate the body’s systems. A massage therapist is trained in one or more of the following forms of massage therapy: Swedish massage, shiatsu, acupressure, Rolfing, reflexology, polarity, and bioenergetics.
The philosophy of massage is rooted in Eastern medicine and is based upon the balance point of the human body. It is believed that when this balance is tipped, one way or the other, illness can occur. Massage therapy can relax the body and improve circulation, which enables the body to regain its balance point and return to good health.
While an integral part of Chinese medicine, massage therapy generally has been avoided in Western medicine. When it is utilized, it is usually in connection with the conditioning of athletes and primarily to limber up joints and relieve aches and pains. However, today there is more interest in the use of massage therapy for a myriad of health care problems. In fact, two groups of medical practitioners already use a form of manipulation as part of their treatment. Osteopaths and chiropractors manipulate joints of the body to treat certain conditions.
Massage therapists claim it is effective in treating stress and fatigue, headaches, insomnia, lower back pain, muscle fatigue, and pregnancy and postpartum problems, as well as in aiding digestion and circulation.
Most massages begin at the head or feet, then gradually work toward the heart, since this is believed to be the body’s natural circulatory path. Each massage is composed of a series of strokes or movements done with different pressure. The basic massage strokes are kneading, tapping or striking, and gliding. Swedish massage makes use of two additional motions: vibration and friction.
Since massage therapy is noninvasive and involves no drugs, just about anyone can enjoy its benefits. And, if nothing else, massage makes you feel good.
For more information, contact:
American Massage Therapy Association 1130 West North Shore Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
312-761-2682
Tags: alleviate aches and pains, and generally reinvigorate and stimulate the body's sys, create a feeling of relaxation, ease mental and physical tensions, improve circulation, Massage therapy, natural healing