Alternative Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

Being Rubbed Up - The Right Way! - The Therapeutic Wonders of Massage


PROBABLY one of the most powerful preventive medicine tools available to us is that of Massage.  It is one of the oldest forms of treatment and can be traced back many thousands of years to the ancient Greeks, Persians and Chinese who are said to have practiced massage as a spiritual art.  The word Massage comes from the Greek 'massein' meaning 'to knead'.

 

Today in this fast paced 21st century, it could be argued that we've never known a more hectic style of living. When we become stressed our activity becomes strenuous and our energy requirements exceed supply.  Our bodies can become tired and stiff, our muscles cramped and sluggish with the overall feeling of being tense, fatigued and stressed. But do we take time-out?  Do we look for ways to relax and slow down? Do we decide to nurture ourselves a little? Usually not!  Let's face it, most of us just soldier on. We are so caught up on the treadmill of our busy lives that we have forgotten how to listen to our bodies.

 

The experts and their statistics tell us that we are living longer than ever before.  Our life expectancy is extending every few years with a result that most of us can now expect to live well into our eighties!   Perhaps this is one of the reasons that more and more people today are now taking responsibility for their own health and well being.  People are looking to complementary therapies to aid the recovery from tension, stress and fatigue. In our determination to be healthy and remain healthy many of us now use massage as a powerful form of preventative medicine and as part of an integrated approach to our personal health care. 

 

THE POWER OF TOUCH

 

It has long been recognized that the power of touch is crucial to us as humans.  We are all sensual beings and as a result our bodies respond well to massage and human contact.  Research in the UK has proven that in many health institutions, such as hospitals and nursing homes, etc. patients responded better to treatment and were more content when there was more physical contact between their carers and themselves.

 

Here's why it works - There are many types of massage techniques which can include, sports massage, mother and baby massage, Swedish, Shiatsu and Reflexology, but the basic principle of each is very similar. Massage improves circulation allowing your blood to send oxygen and nutrients to your muscles where ultimately they are converted into energy.  Furthermore it assists the filtering out of toxins and drains the essential lymph system which is so important for a strong immune system. The result?  A nourished, cleansed and relaxed body and a wonderful sense of well being that can last for many days afterwards!

 

POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN

VISITING A MASSAGE THERAPIST: -

 

1) A qualified massage therapist will have undergone a substantial period of training and should be a member of an international association relating to his/her specific field of expertise. There are a number of excellent therapists in your locality and referring to your telephone directories should provide you with a qualified massage therapist or clinic in your area.

 

2) Your therapist will want to get to know about you on your first visit and will prepare a personal case history based on a number of questions he/she will ask. In order for the therapist to provide you with the best suited therapy during your session these questions are important and will touch upon medical,  social, personal information as well as your family history of illnesses, etc. Based on the information compiled the therapist will then design a treatment specifically for you.

 

3) It is important for you to feel at ease with your therapist and it is the practitioner's job to make you feel comfortable and explain to you what they will be doing.

 

4) Always let your therapist know what you are planning to do after your massage.

 

5) If you are planning to have an Aromatherapy Massage, i.e. a massage combined with pure essential oils, it is best not to have a shower or bath for approximately eight hours as this period of time is needed to allow the full absorption of the oils into the body.

 

6) Finally when your session is complete your therapist will allow you some quiet time to relax on your own before getting up and heading off and continuing your day.

 

 

So, as and from today, make a promise to yourself, commit to having a healthier body, system and rested mind and book that massage appointment now - aren't you worth it?

Paula Hynes is a Lifeskills Consultant and Educator specializing in stress, touch therapy and self care.  She is also the founder of The Natural Therapy Training Centre in County Westmeath Ireland.   e-mail: naturaltc@eircom.net


MORE RESOURCES:

ABC News

Pickens wants more emphasis on alternative energy
BusinessWeek - 9 hours ago
By ADAM SCHRECK Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens said Tuesday he'll spend $58 million on a multimedia campaign designed to bring more focus to solving the ...
Pickens wants more emphasis on alternative energy Forbes
Pickens wants more emphasis on alternative energy KLTV
Pickens wants more emphasis on alternative energy Dallas Morning News
istockAnalyst.com - Wall Street Journal
all 241 news articles


Libertarian Party Offers Only Real Alternative in November, Says ...
FOXBusiness - 15 hours ago
At six percent "we have more than three times the support of any other alternative party," Barr explains. Seven percent of conservatives, 11 percent of ...


Granholm signs law to support alternative energy jobs
WZZM, MI - 5 hours ago
Jennifer Granholm wants alternative energy to be a larger part of the Michigan's economy. Today in Lansing, she signed a law designed to bring industries, ...
Granholm criticizes ad touting McCain energy plan Detroit Free Press
Mich. governor unsure about entire ballot issue MLive.com
John Cherry’s shoreline tour Detroit Free Press
all 21 news articles


New Book for IT Professionals Features 20 Alternative Careers ...
FOXBusiness - 15 hours ago
WESTPORT, Conn., July 7, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Recession-related layoffs and hiring freezes, coupled with offshore outsourcing, have heightened ...


Poll: Nebraskans back alternative energies
Grand Island Independent, NE - 2 hours ago
According to the poll, 91 percent agreed or strongly agreed that more should be done to develop such alternative energy sources as ethanol, biodiesel, ...
Poll: Rural Nebraskans Strongly Support Renewable Energy NTV
all 13 news articles


Google open sources XML alternative Protocol Buffers
CNET News, CA - 17 hours ago
Protocol Buffers is an alternative way of describing the format of data that is being sent over the network or stored to a hard drive. ...
Google releases its data encoding format to compete with XML BetaNews
all 27 news articles


BBC News

InBev hand-picks alternative board
Financial Times, UK - Jul 7, 2008
By Julie MacIntosh in New York Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev is turning up the heat on its unsolicited $46bn takeover bid to buy US rival Anheuser-Busch. ...
Inbev's Anheuser-Busch board ousting is a family affair Telegraph.co.uk
InBev attempts to oust Anheuser-Busch board MarketWatch
InBev names names for alternative board Nashua Telegraph
Wall Street Journal - guardian.co.uk
all 1,288 news articles


Suhua ‘alternative road’ plan fuels further uproar
Taipei Times, Taiwan - 13 hours ago
By Flora Wang and Rich Chang The Cabinet’s plan to build an “alternative road” connecting Ilan and Hualien caused further uproar in the legislature ...
Gov't to assess new highway plans China Post
Premier stirs controversy over Suhua Freeway project Radio Taiwan International
Gov't affirms safe east road policy China Post
China Post - Taipei Times
all 12 news articles


American Land Lease granted authorization to determine investor ...
RTT News, NY - 18 hours ago
The company said it retained Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC to assist in strategic alternative and to solicit preliminary indications of interest. ...
American Land Lease, Inc. Announces Review of Strategic Alternatives Business Wire (press release)
American Land Lease might sell holdings Bizjournals.com
American Land Lease eyes strategic alternatives Forbes
all 22 news articles


ALTERNATIVE Health & Herbs REMEDIES a Non-Profit Christian ...
PR Web (press release), WA - 8 hours ago
Nutritional Products International, DelRay Beach, FL, is pleased to announce the addition of ALTERNATIVE Health & Herbs REMEDIES in Albany, Oregon, ...

Alternative - Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006