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This guide has been put together to allow you to gather information about massage, and decide whether it's the right therapy for you.

History

Touch as a healing method has developed through many different cultures, especially the Chinese, Egyptian, Persian and Japanese. Evidence has been documented since 2000 BC. In India, Hatha Yoga developed, introducing the concepts of Prana and Chakras.

Why Does Massage Exist As A Treatment?

The first time most people are aware of a muscle problem, is when it aches, or when you tear or strain a muscle. The pain is a reminder that you do use muscles for movement , and to maintain your posture, as well as breathing!

Why People Develop Problems:

• Stress, from work environments, relationships and events
• A result of overuse during work or sport, driving etc
• Poor posture
• Poor technique during sport, lifting objects, work
• Accidents or trauma
• An inefficient working environment, lack of information and habits formed while young, which can be noticed as aches and pains, reduced range of motion or movement of a joint, muscle spasms, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), low back pain etc.

Massage can be used effectively in the treatment of conditions that involve a soft tissue element.

The following conditions can be helped in conjunction with physiotherapy, or medical practitioner:

• Stress and tension
• Tennis elbow
• Soft tissue injuries
• Migraines
• Frozen shoulder
• Reduced range of motion in joints
• Joint pain
• Bursitis
• Neck pain
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Period pain
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Repetitive strain injuries
• Sciatica/ low back pain
• Torn or strained muscles
• Sprained joints or ligaments

Massage can have an excellent effect on nervous people who have been dependent on their pharmacy for rest and relaxation.

Effects and Benefits

Massage affects the body as a whole and is known to:

• Increase the circulation of blood and flow of lymph
• Cause changes in the blood chemistry , through effecting the central nervous system, endocrine system/ hormones, and relaxation of muscles to allow waste products ( metabolites) from muscle use to be removed
• Help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and can stimulate weak, flaccid muscles
• Help posture and promote more efficient effective movement
• Speed recovery from the fatigue that occurs after exercise
• Assist in preventing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
• Increase the body's secretions and excretions, and raise the metabolic rate of soft tissues
• Balance the nervous system , sympathetic and parasympathetic
• Enhance skin condition through relaxation of the underlying tissues
• Affect internal organs and their ability to function
• Aid recovery from soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains
• Relax the body and aid in stress reduction through the removal of tension

Different Types Of Massage

Sports & Remedial
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