widely practiced since hundreds of years by the Chinese, Indians
and the Greeks. Though massage started off as a pain-relieving
technique, medial practitioners now recognize that it also
improves blood circulation by stimulating the lymphatic
response; it is also well known that massage helps the body in
throwing out accumulated toxins.
Massage is an ancient "bodywork" technique that is used to iron
out muscle stress and also to provide relief from pain by
applying pressure at sensitive points of the body.
Massage is beneficial for the many variables present in the
body. It can strengthen the skin, relieve muscular and joint
pains, and can also help in adding that element of robustness in
ligaments, tendons and connective tissues. It also has the
propensity to fortify the gastrointestinal system and the
reproductive organs.
Only a professional massage therapist who has received adequate
training can deliver a beneficial massage treatment. Though
traditional massage involves administering pressure using hands
and feet, nowadays the massage market is swamped with many
mechanical aids that help in providing more depth and variety to
the practice of massage.
One interesting device is the Massage Chair that comes equipped
with all kinds of bells and whistles such as a motor and various
mechanical protrusions that imitate the actions of a massage
therapist. These massage chairs are computerized and can be
adjusted according to the weight, height and the back contours
of the person. These massage chairs give an all-round massage
covering the back, neck, shoulders, hips, thighs, legs and even
the feet.
All types of medical practitioners ranging from the common
physician to the highly specialized sports trainer nowadays
prescribe massage for pain/stress relief and recovery. Massage
is helpful not only in providing physical relief, it also works
on the mind, freeing it from routine problems such as
depression, stress and mental fatigue.
Apart from mental and physical relief, massage is also used as
a sense-stimulator during the course of making love. Massage
connects with both the body and the mind, and rejuvenates the
entire being while calming the senses at the same time. As such,
just about everyone and anyone benefits from massage – right
from someone who is suffering from unbearable arthritic pains to
the robust rugby player who is plagued by injuries, to someone
who wants to get a sense of extraordinary stimulation during
lovemaking.
Massage is always received in a professional setting, wherein
the client has to remove his clothing and cover his body with
sheets or towels. The massage therapist needs the massage
receiver to be unclothed in order to get easy access to the body
parts that need massage. The sheets and towel that drape the
body provide the necessary warmth, comfort, and, of course, the
privacy.
The client has to lie down on a table that may be warmed or
sheeted so that it is comfortable to the body. A typical massage
setting will also have other elements that soothe the senses
such as enchanting music, aromatic candles and the like. It is
important that the client is fully relaxed before the massage
begins in order to receive the key benefits of massage therapy.
The massage session typically begins with the massage receiver
lying face upward, a position also known as the "supine"
position. During the second half of the massage, the receiver
has to roll over – this position is referred to as the "prone"
position.
If the massage has to be effective, then communication between
the therapist and the client has to be excellent. The client
must keep communicating to the therapist if he feels the
pressure being applied is too much or too less. Such feedback
can help the therapist take corrective action. The client must
always discuss his medical history and his current ailments with
the massage therapist before partaking the massage.
Some of the well-known and prominent massage techniques are:
The very popular Swedish Massage, Ayurvedic Abhyanga, Barefoot
Deep Tissue Massage, Chair Massage, Chinese Tui Na, Chinese Zhi
Ya, CranioSacral, Deep Muscle & Deep Tissue Massage, Effleurage,
The Hawaiian Lomilomi, Roman Massage and Reiki.
As a side note, massage therapy rocks as a career choice. Great
money, flexible hours and a growing interest and marketability
help make this profession a hightly sought after massage therapy
career choice.
About The Author: Alex Hanson is an expert author for Health,
Nutrition, Medicine & Medical articles and promotes a popular
website http://health-
quick tips and advice.
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