Barry Hurst asked:


Captain Hook is sitting in front of a job counselor’s desk and she’s saying, “Hmmm…your top choices are piracy or massage therapy. Let’s see if we can narrow this down a bit”. We had our fun at the expense of massage therapy, now let us find what is massage therapy and its best features.

Massage therapy is applied to manipulate joints and the soft tissue of the body. Soft tissues include tendons and associated fascia, skin, ligaments and muscles.

Massage is one of the oldest forms of therapy practiced by the celebrated Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian civilizations.

4700 years ago, ancient eastern Chinese practiced massage to heal a variety of ailments from paralysis to labour pains. Ayurvedha, a traditional form of Indian medicine uses a variety of aromatherapy oils and spices to give massage therapy.

Introduced in 19th century, the Swedish massage is the most practiced form in western culture. The Swedish therapy is said to have borrowed many of the techniques from Rome, Greece, Egypt and China.

In western hospitals, soldiers who fought in World War I were administered massage for nerve damage and to soothe shell shock. Many of our now popular modern massage techniques were created in order to heal specific health conditions.

When massage therapy is given to a person, many different physiological effects are achieved while the therapist’s hands move over the body. The different movements can physically stretch tendons and fascia, ligaments and muscles. Massage therapy also encourages the circulation through the tissue, inhibits muscular spasms and can be either stimulating or sedating to the nervous system.

Health problems can benefit from massage therapy since the manipulation of soft tissues affects many of our bodily systems.

Benefits from massage therapy are extensive. Massage therapy treatment can develop, rehabilitate or augment physical function. Relief from physical dysfunction and pain can also be achieved. Tightened and tense muscles can be relaxed. Massage therapy also improves the recovery time, circulation and immune system function. It creates a sense of relaxation and well being, reduces stress and controls acute or chronic pain by massage therapy.

Today, massage therapy is used for treating a wide range of ages – from senior to babies in a variety of intensive care, health club, and health clinic and hospital settings.

To get even glide and a smooth workability, oils are applied in massage therapy. Some popular oils used are Almond oil, Grapeseed oil, Apricot oil, Avocado oil, Jojoba oil, Wheat germ oil and Hazelnut oil.

Find more info at http://www.onlinetherapyresource.info

Kadence Buchanan asked:


One of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences you can have is that of receiving or giving a massage. During our busy daily schedules we are constantly adding pressure and stress as we do not find the time to perform activities that would release all this extra tension. Massage therapy has gained over the years worldwide funs that enjoy its invigorating character which manages to relax the body and mind as well as loosen tight, achy muscles and joints. But if you cannot visit a certified massage therapist due to the costs involved, or because these type of services are not usually covered by your health insurance plan, then you should try receiving or giving a body massage at the comfort of your own house. But before performing such an act, it is important for you to know the basics of this relaxing and soothing therapy.

Massage is the practice of applying structured pressure, tension, motion or vibration, either manually or with the aid of mechanical equipment, to the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons, joints and lymphatic vessels. The ultimate objective of massage therapy is one’s beneficial response. Whether it is performed to heal an injury, relieve stress, or improve the condition of muscles by increasing blood circulation, the “art” of massage has been studied since ancient years and associated with a variety of therapeutic outcomes. Most importantly, because everyone can appreciate a massage, this technique has gained tremendous popularity among different cultures. In fact, anyone can become a massager as long as they keep themselves up-to-date on current massage practices and are very careful when applying pressure to the muscles and joints of those willing to experience the positive effects linked with massage therapy.

For example, if a person is about to receive a massage, it is better to lie face-down on a smooth and flat surface. Although this surface should not be hard, it should not be soft either. Feeling comfortable and relaxed is what is of crucial importance. Using a variety of aromatherapy oils, which release fragrances like lavender or chamomile, the one performing the massage can begin by applying some gentle strokes on the ***** skin surface of the other person’s skin. The various amounts of pressure that will be used, when giving a massage, will lead to experiencing a relaxing sensation from the party that receives this kind of special therapy. Using all five fingers and especially the thumb, the massager can exercise light or firm pressure so as to spread the oil used to smooth the rubbing process, until it is fully absorbed by the body. Usually, people ask to be massaged on their scalp, back and feet. One can begin massaging at the base of the neck and slowly move to other areas of the body. Pay particular attention to the area of the spine, as this massage should move from the center outwards and from the top of the body to its lower parts.

Finally, most people that instinctively rub their necks and shoulders when feeling sore and tense do not actually realize that this self-healing process is called self-massage. But this personally handled healing technique has led to tremendously positive results for those wishing to perform it. In fact, massage has been found to act as a preventive mechanism against a variety of diseases. Especially when a massage therapy is combined with other methods of treatment, it can enhance the effectiveness of the healing methods used and increase a person’s ability to perform better and feel refreshed.