Massage

Written By Jean Mallard
Revive Natural Living Helston
Dated: August 14, 2007

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Massage

Massage helps us to relax and unwind and eases aches and pains.  It triggers endorphins, the natural pain killers produced by the brain that help block pain and produce feelings of exhilaration and contentment.

The art of massage is probably as old as man himself, because of our natural instinct to hold or rub an injured part to relieve and comfort the pain.  Many years ago, massage was largely practiced by priests or doctors as many believed the laying on of hands was a practical application for the relief of pain.

It is believed that the word massage derives from the Arabic ‘mass’ or ‘mas’h’ which means to press softly.  The earliest references to massage appear in the Chinese medical treatise known as the ‘Nei Ching’, three thousand years before the birth of Christ.  In India around 1800BC, the books of the Ayur Veda refer to massage as rubbing and shampooing, which were recommended to help the body heal itself, Hindu priests believed that massage helped reduce fat, strengthen muscles and firm the skin. In ancient Greece massage was used by athletes before and after training and competing,herbs and oils were used with massage to restore their exhausted war heroes.

Unfortunately in the West, massage lost its popularity in the middle ages, when there was a general contempt of the physical body and the joy of physical well-being did not fit in with a Christian doctrine of abstinence and servitude. A leap forward for massage was made in the early nineteenth century by a Swedish physiologist called Per Henrik Ling. He had travelled to China and on his return to Sweden combined the basic techniques he had learned with his own movements, creating an original and effective method of massage that met more Western needs and it was only then in 1899 that Sir William Bennett established a massage department at St. George’s hospital in London.

In the USA, at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School, they found that massage can actually reduce depression.  A thirty minute neck and back massage had a pronounced effect on a wide range of patients suffering from; anorexia and bulimia, abused children, adolescent mothers and psychiatric patients with severe trauma.  The effects of massage were measurable, levels of stress related hormones were reduced and the patients were more alert, less restless and benefited from improved well being.

There are many benefits of massage, chronic tension is released, improved circulation, improved muscle functioning, helps to relieve inflammation, swelling, arthritis, headaches and back pain, clears nasal congestion and sinus problems and can bring renewed energy, clear the mind, improve self esteem and bring about a feeling of true well being. Massage helps us tune in to our emotional and spiritual selves.