The Theory Behind Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the practice of manipulating the soft tissues and muscles. Its goal is to provide the receiver with physical and psychological benefits. By manipulating the soft tissue and muscles with a series of orchestrated movements, massage is thought to result in relaxation and pain relief. Massage has been practiced in most cultures and since the beginning of recorded time.
A variety of movements and actions have been developed to soothe and relieve different parts of the body. Many are familiar with a kneading massage. This is a similar action to what a baker must do to make bread.
Massage therapy can be found in most civilizations throughout time. Since the beginning of recorded history, there has been evidence of massage therapy. Many techniques were developed from these ancient roots. The history of mankind has always been to find ways to restore and maintain health.
Clearly, massage therapy has been used throughout the world to help restore health to the body. Many of these civilizations develop very distinct types of massage techniques. Each technique brings about slightly different benefits.
If you go to any international spa, you'll have a virtual menu card of techniques to choose from. Most people are familiar with shiatsu, Swedish and reflexology. These are taught in massage therapy classes everyday. The number of variety of techniques available is quite extraordinary.
The practice of massage is about applying direct pressure to certain points in the body. When this is done correctly, it will bring relief to those areas. In scanning the techniques offered by massage therapy schools, there are approximately 200 variations of massage technique. These are constantly evolving and subject to interpretation by the therapist.
Slowly there are beginning to be some studies of massage therapy. Most studies show a correlation between relaxing the mind and relieving tension in the body. It is critical for the body to have time to recuperate after physical activity. Also it is important for the mind to have quiet time.
This study monitored the blood pressure, heart rate, negative mood, anxiety state and the immediate assessment of pain levels. The patients were given a single massage treatment once a week. According to the research, the average participant experienced a reduction and anxiety was greater than 64% over the control group.
More studies are needed to better determine the benefits of massage therapy. Studies to date can to use small groups and target a specific area of the body for the massage. For those who have had a massage, the benefits seem fairly intuitive. However, Western medical science has yet to study the precise correlations in detail.
Probably the most important statistic is the amazing growth rate of massage therapy. Many people understand that the frequent release of stress and tension from the body is beneficial to their health. Taking the time to relax a few times a week helps to recharge the batteries. This is even more important in economic times of stress.
One of the biggest hurdles for the studying of massage therapy is simply economic. Clinical studies are funded by companies hoping to profit from the positive results. There is not a way for a company to control massage techniques. This then leaves a void for funding these types of studies. However, these techniques have been used and refined since the beginning of time. They just don't have the same documentation as a large pharmaceutical company.
About the Author:
Learn how Massage Therapy is evolving with the times as advanced technology is making it readily available to everyone. The best way to receive frequent massage therapy is with an Omega Massage Chair for reliable, long term relief and relaxation.
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