Articles

The Basics & Benefits of Massage

 Email

Share

Comments (0)

Massage describes numerous forms of hands-on healing and bodywork. All of the most common massage techniques involve soft tissue manipulation: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), vibration, tapping or finger pressure to specific points, and concentrated pressure to individual muscles.

Massage & Eastern Medicine

Ying and yang are the polarity of forces that actively change throughout the day, season and life, but maintain a balance. In Eastern philosophy, the body is seen as a microcosm of the universe, with the vital force (qi) circulating through the twelve energy channels. Balance and flow of qi are needed to maintain health. The stimulation of the 361 points along the channels stimulates the qi, which affects the corresponding organ systems and frees blocked energy.

Massage is the practice of applying structured or unstructured pressure, tension, motion or vibration (manually or with mechanical aids) to the soft tissues of the body including muscles and connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, soft tissues, joints, lymphatics or organs of the gastrointestinal system to achieve a beneficial response. It is usually performed by a professional massage therapist, but can also be performed by many other health care professionals and even loved ones. Massage can aid the process of healing injury, relieve psychological distress, manage pain and improve circulation.

Benefits of Massage

Some of the benefits of massage include:

• Stretching the muscles
• Releasing toxins and endorphins
• Inducing relaxation, relieving mental stress and calming the mind
• Providing comfort and lowering anxiety
• Reducing feelings of isolation
• Improving multiple medical conditions including pain, swelling, fibromyalgia and numerous conditions of the musculoskeletal and emotional sphere

Cassandra Stork, CNRT, CMT, received her massage degree in 1994 and has studied neuroreflexology (NRT) in the Bentley method, qi gong, Reiki and Thai and tui na massage. She uses a unique combination of reflexology and advanced massage therapy with a medical directed emphasis.

Editor's Note: This article has been adapted for Gilbert Guide with permission.

Posted in: Massage, Natural Remedies

 Email

Share

Comments (0)

Please Visit Our Sponsor