The Benefits Of Massage Therapy

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, what parent would not intuitively 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 is painful?

These reactions are intuitive, they are not gained. On the other hand, acupuncture, herbal medicine and any other form of medicine or treatment has to be acquired, it has to be learned, it is not instinctive.

OK, there is a big 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 kind of massage therapy.

The main benefits of massage therapy are the removal of tension and stress and the keeping flexible of joints, muscles and tendons. However, massage therapy also stimulates the nerves and encourages the flow of blood, which increases the supply of oxygen, particularly to the extremities.

Massage will also promote the removal of waste chemicals that build up in the joints during a regular stressful day. These are normally carried away by body fluids and exit in the urine, but massage assists get rid of them more quickly. The result is less joint pain, fatigue and stiffness.

Massage, in general, can be utilized by anyone to achieve the above benefits, but it can have special advantages for the sick and bed-ridden. Those who have to spend a long time in bed or in a wheelchair will undergo from muscular atrophy sooner or later.

Ordinary massage will make certain that this is as late as it can be, because it stimulates blood to the muscles and some types of massage force the joints to move. Thai massage and Shiatsu are particularly helpful for physiotherapy in these examples.

In this fashion, some forms of massage will go a long way to make up for a lack of exercise due to immobility. The heart has to pump harder in people who do not exercise to get the blood back from the extremities, massage can relieve the heart from some of this extra burden by exciting the blood flow.

I started taking Thai massages after 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 area. I could not walk even to the bathroom while I waited. I was truly pathetic when she started work on me, because I could barely come out of a foetal 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 most 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 only 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 I would need five sessions. She was correct, I got better after every session and lost 13 kilos (29 pounds) in the process although I have never done less exercise at any other period in my life.

Owen Jones, the author of this article, writes on many subjects, but is at present involved with massage therapy school online. If you have an interest in massage, please go over to our website now at Classes For Massage Therapy