Massage is an ancient practice of manipulating skin and deeper layers of tissues in order to promote the body’s natural ability to heal, relax and fight stress. Beliefs in the overall body health benefits of the practice of massage ranges from Eastern countries of origin all the way up to the modern day Western culture studies and theories concerning medical, emotional and psychological benefits.
Mind/Body Benefits of Massage
Many health benefits can be supported by the research done by medical professionals and many benefits are derived from widely observed improvements, based on testimonials and positive results in massage therapy practices over many years.
Massage can improve mood and balance electric patterns in the brain, which is believed to offer support for depression. Along these same lines, touch gives massage techniques more value since many humans respond to positive touch and many believe that it is an essential component of a healthy emotional life. Massage can lower anxiety levels, relieve stress, and promote relaxation. On the other hand, if a person is listless, it may stimulate and raise energy levels as loosening chronic muscle-tensions releases blocked energy and allows the body to move with more freedom and ease.
Assorted techniques of bodywork improve the circulation of blood and lymphatic system fluids. Lymph fluid drains impurities and waste away from tissue cells and allows the body’s blood to carry more nutrients and oxygen, as opposed to toxins. Because of this, certain massages target these body functions to build a stronger immune system for treatment and prevention of illnesses. To learn more about the benefits of a healthy lymphatic system, go to news-medical.net.
Massage Varieties
Many times, massage in Western cultures is simply associated with the rubbing of the skin, with or without oils, but actually, there are many techniques and styles used in the art of massage. Some only require varying degrees of pressure to certain areas of the body believed to affect larger portions of the body’s systems.
Types of massage therapies are Swedish, reflexology, Shiatsu, aromatherapy, acupressure, sports, and Lymphatic to name just a few. Swedish massages are often given in spa-type atmospheres, simply for pleasure and promotion of mental and emotional peace and rest. A massage in an alternative medical or a holistic setting can be used for optimizing circulation and influencing the lymphatic and nervous systems, moving the body’s energy to aide in healing, while taking a person’s mental, spiritual and emotional health into consideration too. Sports massage focuses on increasing range of motion in muscles and joints to help the body heal from sprains, bruises and joint pain. Classifying a massage as medical in nature involves a situation where a general physician, podiatrist, psychiatrist, neurologist or some other type of medically-licensed doctor diagnoses a patient and then makes a referral for the patient to see a Licensed Massage Therapist. A public education online site by Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals gives an in-depth A-Z glossary of massage types.
Massage Sources
There are many insights from reputable sources with information based on years of study and observation on the benefits of massage.
This piece was written by Jonathan Strauss, a freelance writer who focuses on nutritional science, medical knowledge, diet & exercise, general health and wellness; to learn more visit Life Long Weigh.