Massage Therapy Essay
Massage therapy is often regarded as an extravagance, a luxury, or an expense awaiting justification. Few actually regard a massage as a viable form of medical treatment. But it is.
Massage therapy is actually the simplest and oldest form of medicine. There are references to massage in Chinese medical literature dating back to 2,700 B. C. Think for one moment, your very first reaction when you stub your toe, hit your funny bone, or bump your head. Instinctively, you place your hand over the injured area. Likewise, what is your first reaction when a cramp in your calf muscle jolts you out of an otherwise sound sleep in the dead of night?Immediately, you get your hands on the muscle and feverishly rub! These very natural, genetically programmed reactions comprise the very core of massage therapy itself. An appreciation for the simple notion that human touch promotes healing. So, what can regular massage therapy do for us? Massage therapy is much more than a mere luxury.
It should be regarded as part and parcel of your dedication to living a healthy life. Research establishes that regular massage therapy improves range of motion, reduces recovery time, increases muscle tone, and increases flexibility.Since massage acts as an “auxiliary heart” by increasing circulation, it thus facilitates the elimination of toxins and other metabolic wastes; additionally massage therapy reduces the time that it takes the body to heal an injury. The major benefit of massages is the release of “feel-good” hormones in the brain called endorphins. These mood-enhancing hormones bind to your brain’s natural receptors and are responsible for the so-called runner’s high, which is described as a feeling of euphoria after you have been exercising for a while.
(Ref. : “The Benefits of Endorphins, Relaxation, and Good” by Sheri Colberg, Ph. D. , FACSM- Issue 385) Endorphins prevent nerve cells from releasing more pain signals and also stimulate immune system cells, which also helps target illnesses like cancer, as well as wrinkles (Ref. : NHS Direct – a health advice and information service provided by the National Health Service in England. There are plenty of options when choosing a massage there is no doubt that professional massage therapy are very effective but it can be expensive if undertaken regularly. The price for a professional massage can vary depending on your location.Furthermore, not everybody feels comfortable with the lack of privacy associated with such personal touch by a stranger and the lack of control over a massage, not to mention the inconvenience of having to drive to their location and the associated expenses.
There are also different types of massages to choose from also but the most common type is Swedish massage. This type of massage therapy combines a wide range of motions like soothing, kneading strokes to warm up the body, as well as rolling and squeezing of specific muscle groups to relieve soreness as lactic acid is eliminated.It is designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Its main purpose is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. The benefits of massage therapy increase with the frequency of this treatment. Clearly, a massage is not mere “pampering” but has multiple therapeutic effects and, ideally, should be part of our health and wellness plan.
Regular massage therapy stimulates physiological and chemical changes that can do wonders for your overall health.
