Full Body Massage: Psychosomatic Therapy
History records the prevalence of the full body massage as a regular feature of ancient civilizations – Hellenic, Egyptian, Roman, and Asian. Even then, centuries ago, a massage could not be administered by just anyone. Social historians say that the masseur or masseuse had a status somewhere between a physician and a priest in ancient Egypt. This esteem was well deserved, because the massage requires specialized training to be performed properly and correctly.
Massage is a form of psychosomatic treatment. By ‘psychosomatic treatment’ I mean that which affects the body and the mind in consort. A trained masseuse will use her knowledge of physiology to soothe the nerves. This calms the recipient’s mind. The masseuse will also manipulate the muscles and tissues to relieve physical tension. So you benefit bodily and mentally in many wonderful ways. An untrained practitioner focuses only on the physical aspect, the body. Therefore such a massage is only half done, and leaves you vaguely unsatisfied.
Massage as a therapeutic technique springs from the concept of ‘touch therapy’. This concept says that humans benefit tremendously form being touched. Babies who receive a lot of fondling in the days immediately following their birth are well and healthy. Damaged muscle fibers heal quicker when they are massaged properly. The blood circulation is stimulated by a massage, leading to overall better health and cell development. The lymphatic system, which is closely associated with the circulatory system, is also stimulated. This in turn enhances our immune system. The usual effect of a massage is an invigoratingly restorative one, which means that you get rested in such a wonderful way that you feel fresh and full of pep and energy!
There are many people who go out of their way to stay at a particular hotel or health resort only to avail of the massage services they offer. So it’s time that you shed your apprehensions about massage parlors and take the plunge! You won’t regret it, ever!
I’ll walk you through your first massage. The first step is to select a well-reputed massage parlor. You go to the receptionist, register yourself, and set up an appointment. The usual charge is $50 to $100 for an hour-long session. You step into a private cabin, step out of your clothes, and lie face down on the massage table. You’ll be covered with a sheet, just to keep the warmth in. The masseuse will begin massaging you, using a massage oil to help her hands move smoothly over you. There are special strokes used in a massage like strokes, circular motions, pressing actions, and a gentle kneading action.
The masseuse will begin at the feet and then continue up to the hips. You’ll feel the massage magic begin to work. Indescribably pleasant, the massage will release the negative tensions from the soles of your feet, your calves, your thighs, and then your hips. You’ll feel a warmth coursing through your veins, sorry, arteries! A warmth which heals away all those ailments, those cricks in the joints, those sore spots in the hams.
From the hips her hands will move over the back, the arms and shoulders, the neck, and finally the head.
Massaging heals the body from within. This natural healing process is entirely restorative. Just make sure you patronize a reputed massage parlor, and get massaged by a trained and licensed professional therapist. Getting a massage by an untrained masseuse may actually aggravate your aches and pains instead of alleviating them. Now you’ll have to excuse me! I have a massage waiting for me!
If you don’t have the opportunity to go to a massage therapist, you need to check out the various electric massage chairs currently available for purchase. Also visit www.full-body-massage-therapy.com to find out why a high quality massage table is so vital to a relaxing massage.
categories: massage,therapy,health,self improvement