Oldest Healing Therapy, Massage
As early as 3000 BC massage was used as part of the health procedures in many ancient civilizations. and in the Middle and Far East possibly even longer. It is probably the oldest therapy known to man, instintively we will rub an area when it is hurting or sore.
An oiled massage every day was reccommended by Hippocrates who is often refered to as the ‘Father of Medicine′.
Oils are still used by masseurs regardless of the type of massage used. By using oils, hands are able to move over the body with ease. Sometimes essential oils are used but are always added to a base oil to dilute them.
Scientists have shown that essential oils can penetrate the skin, maybe through the sweat pores or the hair follicles. These oils when massaged into the skin are absorbed into the body’s bloodstream and other fluids to work internally.
Although used for centuries in the Middle and Far East, massage therapy did not reach the West for thousands of years. In the 19th century it became increasingly popular especially in Europe, but was limited to the health spas that were patronised only by wealthy people.
Swedish massage was develped by Per Henrik Ling a Swedish gymnast. Massage had become very popular, and he developed this type of massage due to his interest in sport. This type of massage deals mainly with the joints and muscles of the body.
By the 20th century massage had become very popular in the west, and had spread over to America. As it became more affordable to people its popularity spread quickly. In America a book was publish called The Massage Book, this was a book that covered not just massage but how to look at the body holistically.
By taking into account mind, body and spirit massage had come the whole circle back to Hippocrates who always spoke in terms of mind body and spirit. This is what we now term as the holistic approach to healing.
The massage process relaxes the body, mind and spirit. On the physical level, massage increases the circulation of blood around the body, which in turn help get rid of accumulated waste, so releasing harmful toxins from the body.
As massage relaxes the muscles and releases tension from the body, the person is able to relax and let go of all the stresses of everyday life. This in its self is a hugh benefit to the body, as endorphins are released creating the feel good factor, the persons spirit is lifted and they feel wonderful.
In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine it is believed that energy flows through the body along meridian lines. It is also thought that certain factors can block these meridian pathways and in the process cause illness. The restriction of energy by stress can be resolved by having a massage.
Although massage was on the edge of conventional medicine for a long time it has now been accepted by the majority of practitioners of conventional medicine. Massage therapy is also often offered as part of a patients treatment in American hospitals.
Why do hospitals use massage therapy? Massage is often used in the treatment of chronic pain, pregnancy, infant care, joint and muscle mobility, stress management and to help many other symptoms and disorders.
According to some research massage therapy used on a regular basis can help to boost the immune system, help to lower high blood pressure and give relief in the management of pain.
It is good to see massage therapy crossing over from the alternative medicine field to the mainstream as this means that many more people are able to experience the benefits of this very versatile form of treatment and therapy.
