Why Massage?
We tend to be hesitant to touch each other – no one hugs you any more – and touch is the core of massage. Massage can be stimulating or soothing depending upon the depth of the strokes. It can relieve tension, soothe away headaches, relax taut and aching muscles and banish insomnia. If a child falls or if we have a headache, the first thing we do is rub the spot, we hold a friend's hand in comfort and we stroke our pets – these are all forms of massage or touch therapy. We all need to relax and escape the pressures of our modern world. We use many means to achieve this, listening to music, reading, walking on the seashore. We need to rediscover the art of touch and massage can provide us with a means to counteract the relentless pressure of work and daily living.
The value of full body therapeutic massage
The effect of massage has real benefits in health terms, and maintains the body functions naturally, avoiding the need for drugs to produce calming or antidepressant effects. The use of medically prescribed drugs for anxiety, depression, or stress, is vast and shows that a tremendous need exists for relaxation techniques. Massage, skillfully and sympathetically applied, must be seen as a better way to cope with the stresses of life, dealing as it does with the client's physical and psychological need for relaxation. Regular massage also has a positive effect on: - The skin – affecting blood capillary circulation, waste product removal, delays the formation of wrinkles, the skin retains moisture better and remains supple.
- Muscles – helps maintain muscle tone, relieves fatigue in the muscle tissue, help maintain function.
- Adipose tissue – in conjunction with a reduction in food intake, massage can assist in firming the body contours, help reduce the size of stubborn fatty deposits and subcutaneous fatty tissue.
Also, massage can help deal with soft fatty deposits, resulting from poor circulation.
Contraindications
Massage is contraindicated in the following instances: - On parts of the body where varicose veins are present
- When oedema (swelling) or open wounds resulting
- When oedema (swelling) or open wounds resulting from an injury
- When a rash or some other irritation has affected the skin
- Please note that people who suffer from: heamophilia, diabetes (in cases when the diabetic condition is very unstable), have any other type of circulatory complication (like deep vein thrombosis) or any type of bone problems are not candidates for massage therapy.
What to expect
Some factors that are important in receiving a good massage are: - A place of solitude and quiet is essential, allowing you the opportunity to just become 'busy' with yourself.
- The place must be warm and not drafty, to enable you to relax fully. A body covered with oil becomes easily chilled.
- The oil should be a cold-pressed vegetable oil (ie: natural), which is kind to the skin and will not clog up the pores or create other skin problems.
- The lighting should be subdued, adding to the relaxing atmosphere.
- Having background music is optional, though many therapists find it a distraction.
Other aspects to consider: - The best way to receive a massage is in the nude. If, however, to remove all your clothes would make you feel extremely nervous, then leave something on. The main thing, after all, is that you enjoy your massage. But take off whatever you comfortably can.
- Also, remove rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, glasses and anything in your hair. Maybe even remove your contact lenses, so you can relax completely.
- Whoever is giving you the massage will tell you whether first to lie down on your stomach or on your back. Either way, make sure that the top of your head is roughly even with the end of the table. Rest your arms at your sides.
- Once you feel settled in place close your eyes. Then focus your attention of your breathing. Let your breath get as long and smooth as it wants to be without, however, forcing it to do so, and let it flow.
- From this point on your job is simply to let yourself be completely taken care of. Don't try to 'help' with the massage in any way. When it is time for your arm to be lifted, let it be lifted for you. When your head has to be turned to one side, let the turning be done by your therapist. Instead, keep your body as limp as you can manage, so that even when a limb is being lifted it would fall instantly to the table or floor if the therapist were to let go.
- Now focus your attention on the touch of the therapist’s hand. Don't analyze the movements, just feel.
- The less said during a massage the better. Many therapy sessions start off with some chatting between client and therapist, which slows down to the point that all conversation ceases.
- Once the massage has been completed, take a few minutes to just lie on the bed and 'drink in' the feeling of being totally relaxed.
For more information about massage therapy please visit www.peterhulley.co.za. Email Peter Hulley
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) or call him on 072 340 1665.
Disclaimer: Harmonious Living is written for and read by a community of individuals with strong and independent opinions. While the publishers of Harmonious Living are dedicated to providing a forum in which views can be openly expressed, those views do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
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This is the powerful story of the author's struggle with Multiple Sclerosis and how a healer's unusual prescription of mindful altruism - to 'give away 29 gifts in 29 days' - ignited her energy, her happiness, and invited more abundance into her life.
