Everyone knows some of the benefits of massage therapy, because massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy in existence, if not the oldest. It has been with us since we first existed. Why do I say that?
Well, what parent would not intuitively massage their child's leg if it gets growing pains or cramp? Which spouse has never massaged their partner's shoulders at the end of a hard day? And the clincher? Who does not massage a part of their body that is painful?
These reactions are instinctive, they are not gained. On the other hand, acupuncture, herbal medicine and any other kind of medicine or treatment has to be acquired, it has to be studied, it is not instinctive.
OK, there is a big difference between having a massage from a trained expert and having a well-intentioned rub-down from your spouse, but so what? That does not mean that the rubdown is not a form of massage therapy.
The main benefits of massage therapy are the elimination of tension and stress and the keeping flexible of joints, muscles and tendons. However, massage therapy also stimulates the nerves and encourages the flow of blood, which increases the supply of oxygen, particularly to the extremities.
Massage will also encourage the removal of waste chemicals that build up in the joints during a regular stressful day. These are normally carried away by body fluids and exit in the urine, but massage assists get rid of them more quickly. The result is less joint ache, fatigue and stiffness.
Massage, in general, may be used by anyone to achieve the above advantages, but it can have extraordinary advantages for the sick and bed-ridden. Those who have to spend a long time in bed or in a wheelchair will suffer from muscular atrophy sooner or later.
Regular massage will ensure that this is as late as possible, because it stimulates blood to the muscles and some types of massage force the joints to work. Thai massage and Shiatsu are especially helpful for physiotherapy in these examples.
In this manner, some forms of massage will go a long way to compensate for a deficiency of exercise due to immobility. The heart has to pump more frequently in people who do not exercise to draw the blood back from the extremities, massage can relieve the heart from some of this extra burden by exciting the blood flow.
I began taking Thai massages after I slipped a disk which trapped my sciatic nerve. I had to wait two weeks to have a visit with the best masseuse in the area. I could not walk even to the bathroom whilst I waited. I felt truly pathetic when she started work on me, because I could barely come out of a foetal position and I could not straiten my back or my legs.
She bent me, twisted me, kneaded me and walked on me for two hours and I was in pain. For most of the time it was all I could not to tell her to go home. I hated her. She reminded me of Nurse Ratchet with her fixed, professional smile.
Anyway, after the two hours were over, she told me to stand up and I did, as straight as a bamboo cane, but just for a few seconds.
I was astonished and asked her to come back the next day. She smiled, refused courteously and booked me in for ten days time. She said it would take five sessions. She was right, I got better after each session and lost 13 kilos (29 pounds) in the process although I have never done less exercise at any other time in my life.
Well, what parent would not intuitively massage their child's leg if it gets growing pains or cramp? Which spouse has never massaged their partner's shoulders at the end of a hard day? And the clincher? Who does not massage a part of their body that is painful?
These reactions are instinctive, they are not gained. On the other hand, acupuncture, herbal medicine and any other kind of medicine or treatment has to be acquired, it has to be studied, it is not instinctive.
OK, there is a big difference between having a massage from a trained expert and having a well-intentioned rub-down from your spouse, but so what? That does not mean that the rubdown is not a form of massage therapy.
The main benefits of massage therapy are the elimination of tension and stress and the keeping flexible of joints, muscles and tendons. However, massage therapy also stimulates the nerves and encourages the flow of blood, which increases the supply of oxygen, particularly to the extremities.
Massage will also encourage the removal of waste chemicals that build up in the joints during a regular stressful day. These are normally carried away by body fluids and exit in the urine, but massage assists get rid of them more quickly. The result is less joint ache, fatigue and stiffness.
Massage, in general, may be used by anyone to achieve the above advantages, but it can have extraordinary advantages for the sick and bed-ridden. Those who have to spend a long time in bed or in a wheelchair will suffer from muscular atrophy sooner or later.
Regular massage will ensure that this is as late as possible, because it stimulates blood to the muscles and some types of massage force the joints to work. Thai massage and Shiatsu are especially helpful for physiotherapy in these examples.
In this manner, some forms of massage will go a long way to compensate for a deficiency of exercise due to immobility. The heart has to pump more frequently in people who do not exercise to draw the blood back from the extremities, massage can relieve the heart from some of this extra burden by exciting the blood flow.
I began taking Thai massages after I slipped a disk which trapped my sciatic nerve. I had to wait two weeks to have a visit with the best masseuse in the area. I could not walk even to the bathroom whilst I waited. I felt truly pathetic when she started work on me, because I could barely come out of a foetal position and I could not straiten my back or my legs.
She bent me, twisted me, kneaded me and walked on me for two hours and I was in pain. For most of the time it was all I could not to tell her to go home. I hated her. She reminded me of Nurse Ratchet with her fixed, professional smile.
Anyway, after the two hours were over, she told me to stand up and I did, as straight as a bamboo cane, but just for a few seconds.
I was astonished and asked her to come back the next day. She smiled, refused courteously and booked me in for ten days time. She said it would take five sessions. She was right, I got better after each session and lost 13 kilos (29 pounds) in the process although I have never done less exercise at any other time in my life.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with the massage therapy school online. If you have an interest in massage, please go over to our website now at Classes For Massage Therapy
