Ancient manuscripts from India and China contain numerous references to the use of massage it is also illustrated in paintings discovered in Egyptian tombs. Roman doctors valued its pain-relieving properties – in fact, Julius Caesar is known to have received regular massage treatment for the relief of neuralgia. The Greeks, too, thought highly of massage. In the 5th century, Hippocrates recommended “…a scented bath and an oiled massage each day”.
In fact, massage of one kind or another has been widely used since the dawn of history and is still extremely popular. Instruction on its therapeutic properties is now included in nursing training. It is widely used, too, in the care of babies and the elderly, in hospices, health centers, pain clinics and addiction units.
In the 1970s the American masseur, George Downing devised a massage treatment that we would now consider “holistic”. His system took into account the whole person – not only the patient’s body but their mental and emotional make-up too. Downing’s methods have been copied and elaborated upon ever since until now, some 30 years later, it is difficult to list all the widely differing forms of massage available.
Complete relaxation – physical, mental and emotional – is undoubtedly one of the major benefits to be gained from any such therapy. Others include the treatment of back and neck pain, the promotion of circulation and the relief of insomnia and high blood pressure. It is popular, too, with athletes, dancers and sportsmen, easing the muscular fatigue experienced after prolonged physical activity. In fact, massage comes close to being an overall treatment for almost every condition.
Can massage help you?
The answer to this question is almost certainly “yes”. If you suffer from any form of stress or tension, massage will at least ease your problems. It will relieve pain or discomfort in almost every part of the body and is a known palliative for depression and other emotional ills.
However, massage cannot actually cure anything and you should bear this in mind. Though it is true that even cancer patients often benefit from this therapy, it will most certainly not get rid of the disease itself. Similar comments apply to all other illnesses. Massage should be regarded as a therapy, not a potential cure.
As always, it is advisable to consult your medical practitioner before receiving massage therapy. In some cases it could worsen your condition.
On a lighter note, for obvious reasons you should beware of the many newspaper ads for “massage parlors” and friendly home visits”. Whatever is being offered here, it is not the type of massage considered in this article. Ensure that the practitioner you select is well qualified and a member of a reputable organization.
Other types of massage
Basic massage treatment as it is normally given involves rubbing, kneading and stroking the client’s body with the hands. Some completely reputable practitioners use other systems – for example, employing the feet and elbows in addition to the hands. Others have incorporated massage techniques into a variety of complementary therapies – reflexology and shiatsu, for example. All can be beneficial and, in trained hands, are perfectly safe.
Sharon Winslow writes about alternative medicine [http://alternativemedicine.healthexpertscentral.com] at Health Experts Central. Safe and healthy options exist outside the mainstream of medicine.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sharon_Winslow/581108
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