What is Massage..?
Massage is one of the oldest means of healing known to mankind, its earliest recorded description dating around 2700 BC in a Chinese manuscript. The writings of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome contain many references to the therapeutic benefits of massage which were often enjoyed as part of a daily ritual.
Throughout history other enlightened cultures have practised this art and by the 19th century it had become frequently used in Britain by some eminent doctors, a bold and adventurous departure in those repressive years of the Victorian era.
What a long way massage has come since 1894 when the Society of Trained Massuers was formed by a dedicated group of eight women, founders of what we now know as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists.
Today, more than ever, we recognise the true benefits of massage. We need the luxury of time set aside for ourselves to repair the damage caused by the frantic pace of our living. Therapeutic massage helps to repair that damage. It is now taking its rightful place in health care as a means to obtain and maintain a true feeling of well-being that is enhancing people’s lives.
There are very few people in our society today who do not at some time or other, suffer from stress. Its causes are many – marital problems, bereavement, changing jobs, redundancy, moving house, having to meet targets, the need to “perform” and succeed in jobs or relationships, concerns over international affairs, - the list is endless. It affects people in every walk of life and from every strata of society.
The author of several excellent books on massage, Gordon Inkeles says,
"Massage allows people to feel instead of think! It immediately brings relaxation to tensed muscles thereby reversing the tendency of stress to create more stress..”
Thus we are able to escape from this vicious spiral.
The holistic aspect of massage is important in that this healing process encompasses both physical and emotional stress. It encircles the "whole" person, not just the area of the body where stress manifests itself. Burdensome problems are greatly eased by the combination of soothing massage and calming music, which help to provide a new, positive perspective.
Gordon Inkeles describes massage as being“drugless stress control”. So, whatever the level of your stress or tension, it can be relieved by massage, the natural way. No costly psychoanalysis, no drugs! Better for your body! Better for YOU!
Another authority on the subject, Claire Maxwell Hudson, sums it up perfectly - "...life may take it out of you, but massage can put it back..."
So, is massage for YOU?
Many people deprive themselves of this unique experience because they are unable to overcome fears and misconceptions about massage and inhibitions about touch. Having overcome these barriers, many now enjoy the experience – and wish they had discovered it years ago!
