Massage Therapy and Your Health

Massage therapy, one of the oldest holistic healing techniques has many physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Massage therapy loosen muscles, improves blood flow, reduces stress and anxiety levels. Experts estimate that 90% of disease is stress related. In today's society not only are adults suffering from stress but children as well. A study conducted at University of Miami Medical School revealed that massage may offer considerable help for children suffering from stress-related disorders. The results of the study revealed that the children receiving a 30 minute massage were less depressed or anxious and had lower saliva cortisol levels after the massage.

Another study conducted at the University of Miami School of Medicine's Touch Research Institute, found that massage is helpful in decreasing blood pressure in people with hypertension, alleviating pain in migraine sufferers and improving alertness and performance in office workers. Massages vary  from light stroking to deep pressure techniques as well as several types of massages to suit your needs. Listed below are several forms of massages to fit your need.

Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.

Deep-tissue massage. This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.

Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Thai Massage. The focus is on increasing the blood circulation and massaging the energy lines or the sen (energy pathways)  along the body. According to the Thai massage philosophy, it is the blockage of these energy lines that is the major cause of ailments, chronic pain, diseases in the body.

Reflexology. Based on an ancient oriental massage technique, reflexology was first introduced by Dr. William Fitzgerald in 1913. The basic principle of this technique is that the reflexes in the hands and feet, correspond to every part, organ and gland in the body. So acupressure is applied to the ears, hands and feet within these same zones. This helped in detoxification, improved circulation and the ability of the body to heal its injuries and other ailments.

Hot-Cold Stone Therapy. One of the new massage therapy techniques used at spas and resorts, the hot/cold stone therapy uses smooth, heated and cooled stones to relieve body and muscle stiffness and soreness, and to restore vitality to the aching muscles and joints. This massage therapy relies on balancing the body's natural "chakra" by using warm basalt stones and cool sedimentary stones to unlock the energy and increase the blood circulation in the body.

Massages are no longer just available at spa's or upscale hotels. Massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals, chiropractor's and health clubs. Take some time to pamper yourself and relieve some stress and enjoy the wonderful benefits of a maasage today.