Massage
Writing this letter makes me realise once again how special our bodies are and the unique way
in which every muscle, organ and vessel has been put together. This newsletter contains some
interesting facts about massaging.
HISTORY
Massage may be the oldest and simplest form of medical care. Egyptian tomb paintings show
people being massaged. In Eastern cultures, massage has been practiced continually since
ancient times. A Chinese book from 2,700 B.C., The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal
Medicine, recommends 'breathing exercises, massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands
and feet" as the appropriate treatment for complete paralysis, chills, and fever." It was one of
the principal method of relieving pain for Greek and Roman physicians. Julius Caesar was said
to have been given a daily massage to treat neuralgia." The physician must be experienced in
many things but assuredly in rubbing ", wrote Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, in
the 5th century B. C.
THE SWEDISH MASSAGE
The Swedish massage has an interesting history. It was developed by a Swedish Physiologist
Hendri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812, and is also the foundation of other
Western massages including sports massage, deep tissue massage and Aromatherapy. Swedish
massage includes muscle manipulation techniques, such as kneading, cupping and hacking.
WHAT ARE MUSCLE KNOTS?
The phenomenon of muscle knots is not uncommon. Essentially, muscle knots are sections
within the various muscles of the body that have constricted and create pain that is consistent.
The muscle never relaxes, and is always in a state where it is in active use. This is unusual, since
even with such activities as weight lifting, running, or any type of heavy lifting the muscle goes
through a series of off and on cycles. The constant active condition of the muscle leads to
muscle spasms, which in turn acts as the root cause the muscle knot. When doctors cut through
these areas, some abnormal protein deposits seem to be present.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE A MASSAGE?
Studies have shown that regular massage therapy will relief pain, reduce anxiety and
depression, temporarily reduce blood pressure, stimulate the immune system and improve
digestive problems. Different massage techniques (some ancient) are available, including:
Acupressure, Ayurvedic massage, Bowen therapy, Breema, Champissage, Esalen, Lomilomi,
Anma, Reflexology, Shiatsu, etc. Below is a summary of massages available at Skin Studio: