What are the benefits of massage?

Massage - the manipulation of the soft tissue of the body - has been used as a healing therapy for many thousands of years. Records dating back to 2700 B.C. show that in China massage was used to treat paralysis, chills and fever. Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician writing in 400 B.C., recommended that physicians should treat sports and war injuries with massage and rubbing.

The ancient cultures of Japan, Egypt, Rome and Arabia all considered massage to be calming, soothing and relaxing, and also very important as a healing therapy. Now, in the 21st century, there are many different kinds of massage therapies available, each of which offers specific benefits to the mind and body.

Massage is defined as a scientific method of rubbing, kneading and manipulating the body to stimulate circulation and improve the metabolism and the breakdown of adhesion.

In a more therapeutic sense ''massage therapy'' is the sharing of touch, a form of relaxation and a soothing way of removing aches and pains through massaging the muscles of our body. Most people carry some form of tension in the body through physical or mental stress.

Massage is one of the oldest methods of healing and for the treatment of illnesses, aches and pains. Observations of animals in the history of human society shows that physical contact has great value in promoting a better well being and general health.

The sense of touch is nature''s way of communication with our body. As a child we are picked up by our parents and people who care for us. They hugged, kissed and cuddled us. What happens when we grow up? Somehow it seems we lose this body contact. Some of us would consider it lucky to get a peck on the cheek by our loved ones. Did we forget that it as comforting? Why don''t we do that more often? Have we lost our sense of awareness of what it means to have body contact to keep the communication "sense of touch" going between us?

Apart from taking away your stress and helping you relax, having a massage treatment will improve your circulation, helps to remove toxins in your body and strengthen your immune system. Most people enjoy it because it soothes way the tension in your body.

Physiological Benefits:

-Blood, Respiration & Metabolism

• Stimulates blood circulation and eliminates body toxins by assisting the lymphatic system drainage.
• Increases the internal flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissue.
• Lowers blood pressure and reduces heart rate.
• Slows and regulates respiration, promoting deeper and easier breathing.
• Stimulates immune system and strengthens resistance to disease

-Muscles

• Relieves accumulated tension and restores flexibility to tight, sore muscles and improves muscle tone.
• Relieves cramps and muscle spasms and reduces pain and swellings by stimulating the release of endorphins (the body''s natural painkiller) into the brain and nervous system.
• Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments by preventing and reducing excessive scar tissue.
• Stretches connective tissue and increases tissue metabolism.

-Joints & Bones

• Increases joint mobility and range of motion.
• Lengthen compressed joints.
• Improves posture by enhancing one''s own awareness of the body.

-Skin

• Improves skin tone by removing dead cells and improving circulation.
• Regenerates tissue, including burns, wounds and wrinkles.

Psychological Benefits:

• Reduces mental stress and promotes better sleep.
• Induces mental relaxation and calms temper.
• Fosters peace of mind.
• Provides a relaxed state of mental alertness.
• Improves concentration.
• Enhance capacity for calm thinking and creativity.
• Improves ability to monitor stress and respond appropriately.
• Enables a person to make peace between their ambitions and limitations.

Emotional Benefits:

• Reduces anxiety.
• Provides a soothing and comforting alternative to verbal therapeutic techniques, such as counselling.
• Generates confidence and feeling of well being.
• Enhances self-image and self-worth.
• Satisfies the need for caring and nourishing touch.
• Reduces sense of isolation.
• Increases awareness of mind-body connections

So if health, fitness and sensual relaxation is what you desire, contact me for the Tennent Technique.