The Healing Properties of Massage
Massage therapy is a healing art form that combines the physical touch, pressure, stretching and other methods and tools that are used, to restore balance and a feeling of well-being to the recipients. Most of us have received backrubs from friends or spouses and can attest to the relaxing and pleasant feelings that are evoked during and after the rub. Most of us receive these rubs from those who are not experienced in massage. Still the effort is appreciated and the benefits are wonderful. Think now about how much greater the benefit could be while experiencing the art of massage from someone who has been trained in how the body’s physiological and psychological elements can be stimulated by careful and knowledgeable hands?
Massage therapy is a holistic, drug-free healing art that combines the scientific approach used in the west with the intuitive and energy-based approach of eastern cultures. Therapists manipulate soft tissue in order to restore energy, maintain balance and put the body at rest while allowing the mind to be stress free.
In the hurried, fast-paced world so many of us live in today, it is not that uncommon for persons to be walking around with chronic neck and shoulder tension and pain. Massage therapy can help dissipate that uncomfortable tension.
Many of us go through our days doing repetitive motions. These motions fatigue our muscles and can lead to health conditions and injuries similar to what athletes’ experience. Many artists who work on canvas, or other media can experience back, knee, neck, shoulder and wrist pain and tension related problems. Moms who care for little ones all day do a lot of bending and lifting which can strain the lower back, and legs. Secretaries and those who use keyboards all day can experience carpal tunnel issues with their wrists.
Experiencing massage through a licensed therapist should be a relaxing and trusting experience. Your initial call will be to ascertain what can be done for your needs whether they be to reduce pain, or deal with a sports injury, or possibly to deal with an emotional issue or depression issue. The purpose of this initial call is to let the therapist know what your needs are and they to let you know how massage can benefit you. The therapist can answer any of your initial questions concerning how therapy works and then you will be scheduled for an “initial therapy session” where a detailed medical history will be taken. You and your therapist will get to know each other. You both will be able start building an atmosphere of trust, so that your massage sessions can address your needs in a knowledgeable, comforting fashion. This initial fact finding session is what allows the healing power of massage to happen, it is the foundation on which all of your sessions will build upon.
The healing properties of massage can help those who suffer from back pain, inflammatory conditions like arthritis and tendonitis, can relieve stress and stress-related conditions, help those who suffer from headaches and migraines, and relieve those who suffer from spasms, strains, and sprains. Massage can also provide relief from repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Circulatory and respiratory problems can find some measure of relief as well as those who are seeking healing from post-injury or surgical rehabilitation.
