Massage IS Medicine!

Massage is the oldest natural medicine in the world!

What exactly is massage?

Massage therapy is the art/science/practice of rubbing or kneading or compressing  parts of the body to help with circulation and reduce muscle stress and mental stress.  This is usually and most beneficially done manually (by hand.)  Massage can also be accomplished with pressure from other parts like the feet or forearm.

The whole point is:  Your muscles and other soft tissues (rather than bony tissues) ALL benefit from being manipulated by massage. 🙂

In countries like Poland, for instance, massage therapy is a medical modality (or practice.)  Only recently is the idea of having relaxation massage–simply for the benefits of massage rather than for pain relief only–catching on in Poland.  And that is thanks to my dear friend, Piotr.

And in the USA, more and more people are turning to massage therapists as a way to experience pain relief.

So what ARE the benefits of massage?

For starters here are just a few:

• It boosts your immune system.  Research (honest to goodness real medical research) shows that immune system markers in the blood increase after a massage.
• Prematurely born babies who are massaged (little tiny two fingered massages) gain almost 50% more weight and go home from the hospital 6-7 days earlier than non-massaged preemies.
• Tight muscles are “released” or relaxed and muscles that are not toned become more toned.
• Massage reduces pain and muscle tension and stiffness.
• It reduces anxiety and stress and creates a feeling of well-being.
• It lowers high blood pressure.
• It FEELS good. 🙂

Your skin has these wonderful things called touch receptors.  They send messages directly to your brain.

When you receive a massage, the messages are good.

All good.