Why Massage?

What is the big hullabaloo about anyway? Massage certainly is becoming a household word. It's not new, really: it is actually ancient, even before Greek civilization and the creation of the early gymnasium and spa.

In his 1866 book, The Anatriptic Art, Walter Johnson describes the use of frictions in detail, and offers perhaps the first-ever description of Sports Massage, provided by the ancient Greek physician, Galen (130-201 AD).

So ,we are circling back, around and through, the more recent use of scientific experiments, equipment, and studies. We are understanding what the ancients figured out through trial and effort, observation and intuition.

Many CAM (Complimentary Alternative Medicine) studies are testing the benefits of massage objectively and finding that Massage / Body Work reaps many rewards. As we literally and figuratively dissect the human body down into increasingly smaller components, we are learning the importance of things like cellular metabolism...but we are also learning the necessity of treating the body, mind, spirit as a whole. Massage affects the gamut -- from the whole down to its parts (cellular respiration, ATP, mitochondria, etc.).

Here is a brief synopsis and explanation of some things massage / body work can do for you:

There are two general modalities of massage: Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue Body Work.

Swedish Massage was developed in about 1812 by a Swedish doctor, Per Henrik Ling, incorporating basic strokes such as kneading, gliding, friction, vibration and stretching of muscles. Oils and lotions are utilized.

A good Swedish Massage addresses the body, mind and spirit. It relaxes muscles, increases endorphins, circulation and elimination of toxins, thereby improving all bodily functions; it also improves a person's emotional and mental well-being.

Not measurable scientifically are the intrinsic benefits people experience such as getting in touch with (or reconnecting with) the deeper spiritual essence of themselves.