The Amazing Benefits of Massage

When I think of the most relaxing way to soothe my tired body, mind and spirit, one word comes to my brain – MASSAGE!

Massage therapy is the application of therapeutic techniques to the body to relieve muscle fatigue, improve blood circulation, reduce stress, heal ailments and promote over-all relaxation with the use of hands, elbows, forearms, feet or a mechanical machine.

It uses a series of kneading, tapping, stroking, pressing and rubbing the soft tissues of the body particularly tendons, skin joints, muscles, ligaments, fascia, lymphatic vessels and gastrointestinal organs.

According to one of my ever efficient BFFs named Google, massage was already a popular method to cure maladies and injuries the olden days.

Doctor Bian Que, a Chinese medicine man used massage as part of his medical treatments during 700 BC. He started the tradition and made massage part of living a healthy lifestyle.

In Thailand (500 BC),  Shivago Komarpai established his own healing system that combined Chinese-Indian tradition which resulted to Thai Massage Therapy. According to stories, he was the physician of Buddha.

The  benefits of massage therapy influenced many medical practitioners during the Middle Ages.Avicenna of Persia (now Iran) who was known as a logical doctor advised his patients to seek alternative methods to ease their pains. One of these methods was therapeutic massage.

It was introduced in United States during the middle of 19^th century by two doctors who practiced the Swedish massage developed by Pehr Henrik Ling.

Today, massage therapy is embraced as essential by different business organizations, sports and the general public as part of their regimen for well-being.

Do you know that there are about 80 known styles and 250 variations of massage therapies which are intended to bring comfort and healing.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

• It relieves back pains by releasing endorphins (natural painkiller).
• It reduces the incidence of headaches and migraine attacks.
• It stabilizes abnormal heart rate and blood pressure.
• It stimulates lymph flow in the body which boosts immune system.
• It makes skin smooth and glowing with health.
• It lessens scars and stretch marks by stimulating tissues to regenerate faster.
• It increases the capacity of the body to pump essential nutrients to different organs.
• It helps blood circulation.
• It makes body joints more flexible.
• It diminishes swelling after surgery or treatment.
• It soothes chronic cases of arthritis, low back pains, bursitis and fibromyalgia.
• It improves body posture.
• It assists in injury rehabilitation.
• It boosts fertility for those who want to conceive children.
• It repairs and strengthens atrophied muscles.
• It relaxes overused and tired muscles.
• It lessens cramps due to premenstrual syndromes.
• It reduces  symptoms of cancer and side effects of the chemotherapy.
• It assists children with asthma by increasing air flow in the pulmonary system.

The list can go on and on. However, one thing is certain, massage therapy is here to stay to ease our tiredness away!!!!

Lots of Love,

The Journal Girl

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