Author: Lyndon

Body Massage

Massage is a healing practice that is very beneficial to both body and mind. It is by far the simplest and oldest form of therapy that involves stroking, pressing and kneading the different areas of the body to alleviate pain, tension, and other discomforts. Well, massage comes in different forms. And, one of the most popular and most practiced is the body massage.

The body massage is commonly applied in different techniques and in different strokes. The techniques and strokes vary widely from the most delicate touch with the fingertips to the more focused deep tissue work. These techniques may even vary in speed as well as in pressure, but usually most of the therapists who do body massage start by keeping their hands relaxed. They work slowly with a different kind of rhythm, and gradually build up speed and pressure as the process goes on.

Common Effects of Body Massage

Numerous reports and findings have revealed that a regular body massage has the ability to bring numerous benefits for the clients. In fact, it has been said that although a single body massage will be enjoyable, its effects are cumulative. In the most basic, a regular massage can strengthen and tone the entire mechanism of the body. With this benefit, it’s no wonder that a body massage can help prevent any unnecessary injury and strain that might otherwise occur due to excess tension or stress.

Aside from that, a regular body massage can have a very beneficial effect on the nervous system. It can stimulate or calm the nervous system, but this effect depends greatly upon what is required or needed by the client. Body massage can also do miracles on reducing fatigue. This particular benefit is basically what makes body massage perfect for reenergizing the body, as after a regular session, the client is expected to experience a feeling of replenished energy. And, the best of all, body massage has the strong potential for restoring the generally well-being of the person. It restores the individual not only physically but also mentally and spiritually.

The Basic Strokes

So you’ve learned the benefits or effects of body massage to the mind and body. Now, I think it’s best for you to know the different strokes employed during a massage session. As I’ve said earlier, the strokes in this kind of therapeutic practice may vary differently, so it’s best also that you know how to differentiate a single stroke from the other strokes. Well, here are a few of them:

* Kneading – is a stroke determined by a firm stroke and is commonly applied on a specific area of the body to alleviate muscle tension and enhance circulation.
* Draining – is a light medium stroke that is commonly used in body massage to relax and stretch the muscles. This also improves the blood circulation.
* Gliding – a stroke that is valuable for applying oil to the body. This stroke may vary from feather-light to firm reassuring.
* Hacking – is performed by leaving hands open and palms facing each other. This is often performed as a form of alternating chopping motion up and down the body.
* Pulling – this is a body massage stroke used to pull and stretch the muscles of the trunk and legs. The therapist usually does this with alternating hands in pulling motion, gradually progression up the body.

It is important to note finally that as a general rule for body massage, those strokes must be given firmly in the direction of the heart. It should be followed lightly for the return stroke. In the end of the session, the client may find the technique as one long series of rhythmic strokes.

One pleasant way to deal with daily stress and fatigue is to massage it away. For thousands of years, holistic therapies such as aromatherapy massage have been used as a way to refresh and recharge the senses.

A daily massage with scented oil can help dissolve accumulated stress and toxins. The benefits to be expected from this calming daily ritual include:

– Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings

– Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology

– Calming for the nerves

– Lubrication of the joints

– Increased mental alertness

– Improved elimination of impurities from the body

– Softer, smoother skin

– Increased levels of stamina through the day

– Better, deeper sleep at night.

A favorite scented oil used for aromatherapy massage combines olive oil and orange blossom. Olive oil is well known for its healing properties, both when taken internally and used to lubricate the outer body, while orange blossom oil is a scent that has been used as a stress reliever for years.

Together, olive oil and orange blossom offer luxurious skin conditioning with the added benefit of soothing stress-reduction.

Described as a delicacy for the skin, combinations of these oils such as those found in the Olive Oil and Orange Blossom Collection by Caswell-Massey offer benefits to the mind, body and soul.

The collection includes a body oil in this scent that can be used as a massage oil but can also be used to maintain healthy skin tone on a daily basis.

You can extend the benefits of the aromatherapy by using other products that contain the scents. These products might include a bath and shower gel, a moisturizing bath oil, a cleansing bar, body butter, moisturizing oil that can also be used as a leave-in conditioner, and scented candles. Even applying a scented lip balm can offer a way to de-stress.

A full body massage is a systematic, therapeutic stroking and kneading of your body’s muscles. There are many benefits that can be gained through regular massages including the most basic pay-off which is relaxation. But there are also additional benefits that lots of people aren’t even aware of. Aside from the physical benefits of massage which can greatly help to reduce pain and inflammation in some parts of the body, it is also beneficial for your mental health because it helps reduce stress and anxiety. Those two factors alone can cause many other problems in your body.

Did you know that stress-related disorders are the basis for between 80 and 90 percent of the complaints that people visit their family physicians about? Human touch is a one of the best methods involved in the healing process, but the problem is, it’s not a method commonly practiced in modern medicine. A natural human instinct is to reach out to another person when you’re feeling overwhelmed. And if you’re like most people, you need an outlet for your frustrations, worries and concerns. Having someone to listen to you can be very comforting, but that doesn’t always solve the problem. Actually, one of the complaints heard frequently by massage therapists is that physicians don’t touch their patients any more.

What’s interesting is that years ago, massage was a big part of nursing. Apparently, there used to be a much higher level of personal care with a lot more touch involved – wellness expressed through massage. But now, especially with the recent shortage of nurses, they are for the most part, as busy as the doctors. Modern nurses are performing procedures and writing charts just like the physicians do, in addition to dealing with the patient’s insurance policies and companies. There isn’t, and hasn’t been, much opportunity for nurses give their patients massages for some time. Some believe that massage is crucial to the healing process and not only in a hospital atmosphere either.

Massages in general and specifically full body massages, have become increasingly popular over the years. More and more people are taking advantage of getting a massage on a regular basis. As a result, these lucky individuals live a less stressful life with a major reduction in anxiety levels, which brings about a better, overall sense of well-being. Massage simply enhances your general health – both physically and mentally.

If you haven’t tried a full body massage, it is highly recommended that you do. It’s a great way to get started on a path to healthier living and reaping the all of the benefits that a massage has to offer. After all, you owe it to yourself, don’t you?