Everyone knows some of the advantages of massage therapy, because massage is one of the oldest types of therapy in existence, if not the oldest. It has been with us since we first existed. Why do I say that?
Well, which parent would not instinctively massage their child's leg if it gets growing pains or cramp? Which spouse has never massaged their partner's shoulders at the end of a gruelling day? And the clincher? Who does not massage a part of their body that hurts?
These reactions are instinctive, they are not gained. On the other hand, acupuncture, herbal medicine and any other kind of medicine or treatment has to be acquired, it has to be studied, it is not instinctive.
OK, there is a huge difference between having a massage from a qualified expert and getting a well-meant rub-down from your spouse, but so what? That does not mean that the rubdown is not a form of massage therapy.
The main benefits of massage therapy are the elimination of tension and stress and the keeping supple of joints, muscles and tendons. However, massage therapy also stimulates the nerves and encourages the flow of blood, which increases the flow of oxygen, particularly to the extremities.
Massage will also promote the removal of waste chemicals that mount up in the joints during a regular stressful day. These are routinely carried away by body fluids and exit in the urine, but massage helps be rid of them more quickly. The result is less joint ache, tiredness and stiffness.
Massage, in general, may be used by anyone to accomplish the above benefits, but it can have extraordinary benefits for the sick and bed-ridden. Those who have to spend a long time in bed or in a wheelchair will suffer from muscular atrophy sooner or later.
Regular massage will make certain that this is as late as it can be, because it stimulates blood to the muscles and some sorts of massage force the joints to work. Thai massage and Shiatsu are especially useful for physiotherapy in these cases.
In this way, some types of massage will go a long way to make up for a deficiency of exercise due to immobility. The heart has to pump more frequently in individuals who do not exercise to pull the blood back from the extremities, massage will relieve the heart from some of this extra burden by exciting the blood flow.
I began taking Thai massages when I slipped a disk which trapped my sciatic nerve. I had to wait two weeks to get a visit with the best masseuse in the region. I could not walk even to the bathroom whilst I waited. I was really pathetic when she started work on me, because I could barely come out of a curled up position and I could not straiten my back or my legs.
She bent me, twisted me, kneaded me and walked on me for two hours and I was in pain. For the majority of of the time it was all I could not to tell her to go home. I disliked her. She reminded me of Nurse Ratchet with her fixed, professional smile.
Anyway, after the two hours were over, she told me to stand up and I did, as straight as a bamboo cane, but just for a few seconds.
I was astonished and asked her to come back the next day. She smiled, refused courteously and booked me in for ten days time. She said it would take five sessions. She was right, I got better after each session and lost 13 kilos (29 pounds) in the process although I have never done less exercise at any other time in my life.
Well, which parent would not instinctively massage their child's leg if it gets growing pains or cramp? Which spouse has never massaged their partner's shoulders at the end of a gruelling day? And the clincher? Who does not massage a part of their body that hurts?
These reactions are instinctive, they are not gained. On the other hand, acupuncture, herbal medicine and any other kind of medicine or treatment has to be acquired, it has to be studied, it is not instinctive.
OK, there is a huge difference between having a massage from a qualified expert and getting a well-meant rub-down from your spouse, but so what? That does not mean that the rubdown is not a form of massage therapy.
The main benefits of massage therapy are the elimination of tension and stress and the keeping supple of joints, muscles and tendons. However, massage therapy also stimulates the nerves and encourages the flow of blood, which increases the flow of oxygen, particularly to the extremities.
Massage will also promote the removal of waste chemicals that mount up in the joints during a regular stressful day. These are routinely carried away by body fluids and exit in the urine, but massage helps be rid of them more quickly. The result is less joint ache, tiredness and stiffness.
Massage, in general, may be used by anyone to accomplish the above benefits, but it can have extraordinary benefits for the sick and bed-ridden. Those who have to spend a long time in bed or in a wheelchair will suffer from muscular atrophy sooner or later.
Regular massage will make certain that this is as late as it can be, because it stimulates blood to the muscles and some sorts of massage force the joints to work. Thai massage and Shiatsu are especially useful for physiotherapy in these cases.
In this way, some types of massage will go a long way to make up for a deficiency of exercise due to immobility. The heart has to pump more frequently in individuals who do not exercise to pull the blood back from the extremities, massage will relieve the heart from some of this extra burden by exciting the blood flow.
I began taking Thai massages when I slipped a disk which trapped my sciatic nerve. I had to wait two weeks to get a visit with the best masseuse in the region. I could not walk even to the bathroom whilst I waited. I was really pathetic when she started work on me, because I could barely come out of a curled up position and I could not straiten my back or my legs.
She bent me, twisted me, kneaded me and walked on me for two hours and I was in pain. For the majority of of the time it was all I could not to tell her to go home. I disliked her. She reminded me of Nurse Ratchet with her fixed, professional smile.
Anyway, after the two hours were over, she told me to stand up and I did, as straight as a bamboo cane, but just for a few seconds.
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