Massage, hand massage, the healing power of touch
Since ancient times, massage has occupied man and has been used effectively all over the world as a therapeutic method and treatment, developed by man out of instinct.
In all cultures we have references to the value and systematic use of massages and physical exercises.
During the Sinic period, around 2500 BC. the Chinese included in their therapeutic techniques the systematic use of massages, at the same time as physical exercise and breathing movements in order to activate the body, so that it regains its balance.
In Ancient Greece, the ancient Greeks with Hippocrates laid the foundations of exercise and massages, arguing that maintaining health requires a state of balance between the body, mind and environment and recommended massages, exercise, hydrotherapy , physiotherapy and correct body posture.
Also, South Americans, Indians, Mexicans and other nationalities have used massage.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, many doctors in America and Europe continued the tradition and recommended massage for any case, applying various types of massage to treat psychosomatic problems and not only.
But as time pressure and the high cost of medical care increased, doctors began to pay special attention to technological advances rather than manual labor. Thus massage became a forgotten healing art in the Western world.
Today, it is once again recognized as a universal tool for healing, enjoyment and communication.
The power of touch
The touch starts already in the fetal state as with every movement the pregnant woman makes, she massages and stimulates the child inside her.
After birth, physical contact with the baby helps the development of its nervous system and enables it to develop its motor skills.
Physical contact early in life is an essential source of emotional nourishment, and later, when as adults we feel down, a reassuring touch can calm us down, just as it did when we were children.
Touch is unique among our senses. What we touch touches us, what touches us is touched by us.
But taught to see with the eyes and know with the mind, we forget how much more we can understand through our inner awareness.
Touch gives us another sense, as if we could see with our hands.
In Indonesia and Japan, blind people practice the art of massage.
The sense of touch is more intense in them because they lack the sense of sight.
Massage is a journey of self-discovery as it helps restore the balance between the left side of the brain (reasoning and thinking) and the right side of the brain (intuitive ability) giving us the opportunity to escape the mind and come to our senses .
How massage works
The wonder of touch and massage lies in the application of rhythmic pressure, which affects what lies beneath the skin. The massages and pressures of the therapist's hands on the body of the patient relax the muscles that are tight from exercise or from tension.
Blood and lymph circulate so that all parts of the body receive essential nutrients such as oxygen, eliminate toxins more easily, and defend against any disease or threat.
Sensory organs are activated, stimulated and send signals throughout the body, instructing them to relax or be stimulated.
Massage can also help release endorphins, the body's natural pain reliever, which leads to taxing feelings.
The billions of sensory nerves throughout our body and the power of the 1.5 million highest density sensory nerves in our fingertips make massage effective and human touch irreplaceable.
The therapist must have the ability to distinguish what the body is saying, to see through his fingers and to be able to know exactly what the person's problem is by feeling him through his hands.
In addition to simple physiology, we observe that massage goes much further, so as to activate and harmonize the energies of the mind, body and spirit, achieving the mobilization of the self-healing potential that we all have within us.
The different types of massage
The various massage techniques are based on the consideration of the holistic nature of the human body and aim to stimulate the energy points of the body, which receive daily pressure, fatigue and tension and are responsible for the various health problems.
The beneficial effect of massage on the body is more effective when it is adapted to the therapeutic needs and health problems faced by each person.
That is why there are different types of massage and in fact in many cases the therapist may use a combination or variety of techniques in order to activate, revitalize and restore physical function.
The most widespread massages today are: nervous, Swedish, reflexology, trager, creativehealing, Chinese (tui-na), shiatsu, ayurvedic, rejuvance, tai and of course aromatherapeutic massage where with the use of essential oils and the combination of movements and manipulations, the results are spectacular.
Massage is for everyone and you don't have to wait until it hurts to do it.
Massage is a preventative treatment tool, helping one understand their body's messages so they can do something about them, before they reach the point of complete breakdown.
By putting massage in our life, we take a positive step for our health.
We learn to understand our body language and say "yes" to relaxation and well-being and "no" to tension and pain.
By Katerina Sagri
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