Most of us will quickly tell you how a massage benefitted us. However, not many of us know the history of this practice. The general technique of massage has been around for several thousand years. Modern society recognizes about 80 modalities of massage. This practice is often used to rid the body of tension, improve organ functioning, and speed healing due to injury.

In writings and drawings from ancient China, Mesopotamia, Greece, and other civilizations, reference to massage can be found. One of the unique traditional methods of relieving certain illnesses in Romania involved a massage delivered by a tame bear. Today, this may not be so well-received but during those days, effective treatment was provided by the tame creatures.

Currently, massage therapists provide us with our treatments. Before they are considered qualified to do so, they attend school to learn techniques like Shiatsu, reflexology, and deep tissue. The most talented can use multiple techniques and work as easily with medical patients as with athletes or the average person. A massage therapist may have an office or travel to client locations such as a home or company.

Primary goals realized through massage include relaxation, expedited healing, improved body functioning, and a greater sense of overall well-being. When performing massage, a professional uses not only the fingers and hands but also the elbows, knees, feet, and forearms, depending on the modality. Clients either sit in a specially-designed massage chair or lie on a mat or massage table. The type of massage determines whether any clothing should be removed.

How massage works varies based on focus area. Parasympathetic nervous system activation is thought to occur, stimulating serotonin and endorphin release. Excess scar and connective tissue development may be prevented, which increases lymph flow. Relaxation that results from massage tends to improve sleep, which can lead to less pain and aching. Methods and symptoms determine clinical benefits of this practice.




About the Author: By Shane McConnell



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