THERAPEUTIC & ADVANCED MASSAGE
A Look At Therapeutic and Advanced Massage
what is massage? how does it work a brief history effects of massage what a treament entails cost
What Is Massage?
Massage is the manipulation of the body's soft tissues with specific techniques to promote or restore health. We use our hands to detect and treat problems in the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the body's soft tissue. Regular body massage can release emotional tension and promote physical health, gradually restoring the whole person to balanced health.
Massage as a therapy has evolved out of one of our most instinctive desires - the desire to touch and be touched. Over the years much evidence has been collected to prove the necessity of touch and the benefits of therapeutic massage.
Some references from the early 1900's show that institutionalized orphans with normally fatal wasting disease called marasmus did not die when they were regularly touched.
Massage is very popular with sportsmen and women, because it can improve muscle tone, restore mobility and ensure the elimination of waste products after exercise. With regular massage, strains and sprains can be a thing of the past.
Massage before an exercise session will help loosen and warm up the muscles, or afterwards it will ease sore, aching limbs.
How Does It Work
Thousands of specialized receptors in the dermis ( the second layer or the skin) react to external stimuli, such as heat, cold and pressure by sending messages through the nervous system to the brain. Gentle massage or stroking can trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and induce a feeling of comfort and well-being. Stronger, more vigorous massage help to stretch tense and uncomfortable muscles and ease stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.
Effects of Massage
Stimulates circulation
Stimulates lymphatic system
Nerve endings are stimulated or soothed
Cellular regeneration - renewal of skin cells, tones the skin
Desquamation - dead skins cells are removed
Improve muscle tone - restore mobility
Stimulates digestive system
A Brief History
History shows massage therapy has been around for centuries. It wasn't until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, though, that massage became popular throughout Europe, thanks to the work of Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839). Per Henrik Ling was a Swede who travelled to China and returned with a detailed insight into their massage techniques. From these he developed his own system of massage based on a variety of movement, involving pressure, friction, vibration and rotation. This wealth of practical knowlege soon spread, and medical and non-medical professions worldwide began exploring the benefits of massage. This eventually established the basis of massage today, which in many ways remains much the same now as those early Swedish techniques.
What Is Advanced Or Therapeutic Massage Used For?
Advanced and Therapeutic massage is a deep tissue massage. This type of massage is very stimulating due to the massage techniques applied.
Advanced or Therapeutic massage can be used for:
Stress
Anxiety
Arthritiis
Rheumatism
Sciatica
Aching and strained muscles
Digestive disorders including irritable bowel syndrome and constipation
Headaches and migraine
Insomnia
Depression
Back, neck and shoulder complaints
Advanced techniques have more pressure work applied during the treatment This is a very deep tissue massage.
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