| Massage
is one of the oldest forms of healing. It has been practiced
for over 4000 years. Practitioners or Massage Therapists use
their hands to manipulate the body’s soft tissues: skin,
muscles, tendons and ligaments. This softens the tissues,
relaxing the tension and allowing the body to come into balance.
Massage affects the body as a whole.
Massage
is known to:
| • |
Increase
circulation of the blood and the lymph:
The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically applied pressure
and stretching (as done in massage) can dramatically increase
the rate of blood flow. Also, the stimulation of nerve
receptors causes the blood vessels, by reflex action,
to dilate. |
| • |
Cause
changes in the blood:
The oxygen capacity of blood can increase 10 to 15 percent
after a massage. |
| • |
Affect
muscles throughout the body:
Massage can help loosen contracted shortened muscles and
can stimulate weak flaccid muscles. This muscle balancing
can help posture as well as provide for more efficient
movement. Massage does not increase muscle strength. It
can promote recovery from the fatigue that occurs after
exercise. In this way, it can be possible to do more exercise,
which may in the long run strengthen muscles. |
| • |
Increase
the body’s secretions and excretions:
This suggests that the metabolic rate (the utilization
of absorbed material by the body cells) increases. |
| • |
Affect
the nervous system:
The nervous system is stimulated and/or soothed by massage. |
| • |
Enhance
skin condition:
Massage directly improves the function of the sebaceous
and sweat glands, which keep the skin lubricated, clean,
and cooled. Tough, inflexible skin becomes softer and
more supple. |
| • |
Affect
internal organs:
By indirectly or directly stimulating nerves that supply
internal organs, blood vessels of these organs dilate
and allow greater blood supply to them. |
What
to expect
Massage
sessions can be as little as 15 minutes to as much as 3 hours,
but they generally last about an hour to an hour-and-a-half.
Although some types of massage can be done with clothes on,
you may need to remove clothing for different types of massage.
Talk with your therapist about your comfort level as regards
to removing your clothes. Professionals will respect your
privacy and you will be covered or draped with a sheet so
only the body part being worked on is exposed at any given
time. The therapist will likely use oil or lotion, but if
you have an allergic response, let the massage therapist know
immediately.
Don
Green, RMP
www.meadow-view.biz
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