Treat your body well to make your soul want to live in it (Teresa of Avila)
Massage does not only influence skin, connective tissue and muscles mechanically, but has also a positive effect on the psyche. Developed thousands of years ago in Asia and Africa, Massage finally came to Europe and USA and is now prescribed by doctors as manual therapy and prevention measure.
Massage increases circulation and stimulates the metabolism, relaxes, relieves pain, improves tissue and affects the autonomic nervous system in a significant way.
This guide provides information on the main types of massage.
Whether massage chair, brush massages, underwater massage or one of the various types of direct massage: A positive effect always can be noticed immediately.
Massages should be not applied at vascular diseases, skin diseases and traumatic injuries.
The five classic massage techniques are:
Effleurage (striking), petrissage (kneading, tumbling), friction (rubbing), tapotment (tapping, knocking) and vibration (shaking). They are used with full-body massage as well as in partial body massages.
Brush massage can be easily done at home, preferably in the morning in order to stimulate the circulation, always with ascending movements, i.e. from the bottom upwards towards the heart.
Underwater massages is reserved for therapists and clinics, because equipment such as tubing and pressure apparatus as well as a tub are needed. However, there are a lot of types of massage that can be carried out in a massage center or spa and easily at home. Use reasonably priced vouchers for testing; Subscriptions are also available and cost-effective.
Benefits of Massage
Many people think massage is when a hand slips with some oil over the skin. Yet studies have demonstrated that oil as well as plants parts are absorbed by the skin. Nutrients are transported through the bloodstream into bones, organs and even to the brain, in less than four minutes. Immune system, nervous functions, skin and hair are stimulated, flabby cellulite is reduced or even eliminated, also there is noticed an undeniable relaxation effect.
Distinction is made between body massage, such as e.g. Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, baby massage, hand massage, facial massage, sports massage, Ayurvedic massage, Chinese or Thai massage, lymphatic drainage, shiatsu, Lok Pra Kob and many others.
Professionals swear by herbal, cold pressed oils, such as almond oil, vitamin E-containing wheat germ oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, walnut oil, avocado oil and olive oil. There be added fragrance substances or essential oils such as tea tree, peppermint, calendula, rose, ylang-ylang, sandalwood etc. Using natural plant aromas for therapeutic purposes belongs to the area of aromatherapy: Essential oils produce a physical, mental and emotional effect in the body; wherein massage perfects these benefits. At France's medical universities aromatherapy is an optional subject. In England this form of therapy is given nowadays even in health care facilities. Aromas create a network connection with the individual sub consciousness; Finally fragrances are linked to selectrical brain responses. Olfactory information is sensitive, selective and memorable. Kinesiology, hydrotherapy and chromo therapy can be integrated as "vehiculum", whereas the effect is maximized. One uses, among others lavender for stress and for soul equilibrium, rosemary for concentration and the respiratory tract, sandalwood for depression and for meditation, bergamot for mood elevation and inner strength, chamomile for inflammation and for pain relief, fennel for digestive problems and menopause, eucalyptus for respiratory, geranium as an antidepressant, also for PMS, jasmine as an aphrodisiac.