Rubbing areas that hurt is a natural human response. Other mammals have the same reaction. Massage is based on the same idea: Rubbing and manipulating muscles helps reduce pain and aids healing.
Massage is found to be helpful both physically and emotionally. The rubbing soothes sore muscles and releases tension in the body and mind.
Massage therapy has been found to be helpful in the treatment of:
- Back pain
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Migraine headache
- Carpal tunnel symptoms
- Side effects of cancer and cancer therapy
Massaging muscles and soft tissue stimulates the nerves. It also increases blood flow and relieves stress in the muscles. Over the centuries, many massage techniques have developed including:
- Swedish massage. This massage technique involves the use of long, smooth strokes. The strokes knead and compress the muscles with deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping.
- Shiatsu. This Japanese form of massaging is a form of acupressure. It involves putting pressure on certain key points of the body.
- Thai massage. This massage technique also involves the use of yoga and certain Chinese traditional medicine methods.
Massages are usually given in a quiet room, with soothing background music. A person usually lies down on a massage table or in a massage chair. Massage uses a group of manual techniques, made up of both fixed and moveable pressure.
