Massage therapy is used to work on the body to relieve pain. Another benefit is that it reduces swelling. The methodic massaging or rubbing of the muscles and body helps to boost the immune system to aid in healing sprains and strains.

Massage is usually done manually or with mechanical aids. These are the techniques of massage:

Compression by friction, squeezing and stroking

Kneading with the hands (either hard or light touch)

Slapping the edge of the hands (as if in fast drumming)

The massages can be done with feet, fingers, forearms and / or hands. Also mechanical devices can be used to deliver the massage. A professional will have the client to either sit in a chair or lie on a mat. And, of course, there’s the use of massage tables.

A good massage table will have a head rest that will allow the client to rest comfortable and breathe freely.

Medical research has confirmed that the many benefits of massage therapy include pain relief, temporarily reduced blood pressure and heart rate. Massage therapy can also aid in the reduction of depression and anxiety as well as relieving headaches.

Some methods of massage exercise the muscles by contracting and re-educate muscles. Pressure point massage or acupressure is also beneficial for relieving back pain especially after illness or paralysis when movement of the entire body is not possible or undesirable.

Massage therapy also includes aromatherapy which employ the use of such as oils as lavender oil, sweet almond oil, sweet marjoram oil, and cypress oil can also stimulates the immune system

The History of Massage Therapy

Massage techniques have been used by the Chinese for over three thousand years. Since the Cultural Revolution in China massage therapy continues to be a growing industry there.

There are two principle types of traditional Chinese treatment that exist:

The first is Tui na, Here the practitioner will concentrate on the muscle by kneading, pushing, stretching.

Zhi Ya is the second method, here the focus is on pinching and pressing the acupressure points.

Western ideas have melted into the traditional massage philosophy and have become an essential part of the primary healthcare system. Many medical schools teach it as well as many hospitals put it to use.

Athletes and their trainers are probably one of the most who use massage therapy in a clinical setting. They have discovered the effectiveness of massage to help heal sports injuries – sprains and strains. This trend started growing among those in the sports field in the 1970’s. Massage was offered as an essential medical service in the 1996 Olympics for the first time.

Massage therapy can be dated back to 493 BC when the wives of Xerxes would use olive oil and myrrh as a part of their daily beauty regimen.

In Romania they would have a tame bear to walk on a massage client for a treatment for some illnesses.

Massage therapy has been used in ancient civilizations such as China, Egypt, Greece, India, Japan and Rome as well as all around the world today.