| Massage therapy has been practiced for | | | | therapies. Massage therapists are using |
| thousands of years. There are tomb | | | | touch and therapeutic massage with |
| paintings from the Egyptians that show | | | | aromatherapy and reflexology. |
| people being massaged. Massage counts | | | | Hot stone massage is another form of |
| among one of the oldest and simplest | | | | therapeutic therapy and is useful for |
| forms of medical care. A book written | | | | promoting deep muscle and tissue |
| 2700 years before the birth of Christ | | | | relaxation, ease stress, calm the mind, |
| recommended breathing exercises and | | | | improve circulation, and relieve pain. |
| massage of the flesh and skin. Massage | | | | There are certain physical conditions |
| was use by both the Greek and Romans as | | | | treated by hot stone massage. They are |
| a way to relieve pain. It was said that | | | | back pain, muscle aches and pains, |
| Julius Caesar had daily massages to | | | | insomnia, depression, arthritis, and |
| relieve symptoms of neuralgia. | | | | fibromylagia. Hot stone massage may also |
| Hippocrates wrote, "Rubbing can bind a | | | | help with circulatory problems. Hot |
| joint that is too loose, and loosen a | | | | stones are place on specific sites on |
| joint that is too rigid." | | | | the client's body to help open the |
| Shiatsu massage, also known as | | | | "energy pathways." Hot stones may also |
| acupressure is sometimes confused with | | | | be used to release tension in the |
| acupuncture. Both are based on the | | | | muscles before a deep tissue massage is |
| Chinese meridian system, but there are | | | | administered. |
| no needles involved in shiatsu massage. | | | | Massage therapy has been given a bad |
| The therapist applies pressure with | | | | name because of the reputation that |
| thumbs, fingers, and palms to specific | | | | "massage parlors" have received. That |
| parts of the body. The spots are | | | | image is being replaced as more people |
| determined during a physical assessment | | | | understand the difference between a |
| by the massage therapist. Then, various | | | | massage parlor and a true massage - the |
| parts of the body are tapped, squeezed, | | | | benefits and the value of therapeutic |
| rubbed, and have pressure applied to | | | | massage. Massage is now being used in |
| unblock energy are increase the flow of | | | | hospital intensive care units, for |
| energy. | | | | newborn babies and children, as well as |
| Shiatsu massage will benefit you in the | | | | patients with AIDS and cancer. Most |
| following ways: | | | | American hospitals and hospices offer |
| Releases toxins from the body | | | | some form of massage therapy to benefit |
| Deep tissue and muscle relaxation | | | | their patients. Massage is often offered |
| Increased flexibility | | | | in pain clinics, drug treatment centers, |
| Reduces blood pressure | | | | and other health centers. |
| Reduces stress | | | | Another form of therapeutic touch is the |
| Prevents disease | | | | healing touch. A touch can mean love and |
| Reduces mental anxieties | | | | caring and is a basic instinct we are |
| Increases physical and mental awareness | | | | born with. You can practice healing |
| The massage therapist knows which part | | | | touch by holding hands, hands on |
| of the body to massage and manipulate | | | | healing, nurturing with your hands, and |
| with the fingers to allow stress | | | | by healing touch. Remember that reaching |
| reduction, ease mental anxieties, and | | | | out to touch someone is an action that |
| all the benefits listed above. | | | | shows others that you love and care for |
| Massage has been incorporated with other | | | | them. |
| forms of holistic and complementary | | | | |