Generally, people do not consider massage to be a part of a healthy lifestyle. Rather, they view it as a luxury and indulging in pampering. However, for thousands of years, some form of massage or the laying on of hands has been used to heal and soothe the sick. Massage has a long history in the healing arts dating back to as early as 3000 B.C. It is an essential part of a health maintenance program. It is an effective way of releasing the stress that builds up in your life. It is a vital part of staying young and healthy.
Massage supports the cleansing and nourishing of the cells by stimulating circulation - of lymph, of blood, and of energy. It causes the blood vessels to dilate, so circulation is improved and congestion is relieved. It temporarily raises the red blood cell count, by moving sedentary cells into circulation, thereby increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. With increased oxygenation of the cells, the metabolic rates are increased, wastes are broken down more completely, and the calories in food are burned more efficiently. Massage also helps to push the lymph along its channels, delivering nutrients, hastening the elimination of waste, and keeping the immune system healthy.
Besides all of these benefits, massage helps you to get the greatest possible benefit from your exercise program because it helps to move lactic acid (which is what causes sore muscles and a feeling of fatigue after a strenuous workout) out of the muscles, speeding recovery time. In the same way, muscle tone is also improved.
In addition to the physical benefits of massage, there are also psychological benefits as well. Of all our senses, touch is the first to develop. As babies, it is essential for their growth to be cuddled and touched. It is primarily that tactile experience - the human touch and touching - that we first begin to explore and make sense of our world. So long as the need to touch and be touched is satisfied, we grow in a healthy way, but where it is inhibited, so development may be impaired.
Since the 1960's psychologists have studied the effect of touch. The conclusion they reached was that our perception of how much we are touched by other people seems to be clearly related to our self esteem and to how much we value ourselves. In our society, to be deprived of contact with our fellow man is a punishment - the worst being solitary confinement. How often has "touch" been used as weapon? It runs the gambit from not wanting to shake someone's hand, to withholding sex, or to rape. We instinctively recognize the value inherent in "touch".
Massage is another way to value yourself as a human being, to relieve stress and tension, and to become more aware of the human connection.
Massage therapists are now being licensed and are specialized in this form of the healing arts. Massages don't have to be expensive and sometimes they can be free. For instance, most massage schools require a practicum for their students whereby the students are required to have so many class hours doing massages. To acquire these hours, students often will offer the public free massages. It is a win/win situation because you get a free massage and the student accrues hours of hands on healing, a graduation requirement. If you have a local massage school, you can contact them to find out if they give clinics. Most of their students need at least 20 to 25 hours of practical experience prior to getting their license.
Here are some resources and links on this topic. As I discover more helpful information, I will update this page.
"The Book of Massage: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Eastern and Western Techniques" by Lucinda Lidell with Sara Thomas, Carola Beresford Cooke and Anthony Porter
"Acupressure for Emotional Healing" by Michael Reed Gash, Ph.D
Stress and the Immune System: Research Sheds Light on the Mind-Body Connection.
http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=9492&catid=1&title=stress-and-our-immune-system-research-sheds-light-on-mind-body-connection
Even One Massage Session Produces Measurable Benefits Research Shows.
http://www.massagemag.com/News/massage-news.php?id=9609&catid=1&title=even-one-massage-session-produces-measurable-benefits-research-shows
