We have an instinctive
reaction to rub or hold the affected area
to ease the pain. Early man probably soon
learned that, while rubbing painful areas
of his body, certain plants could be applied
which would help to ease the pain and
promote healing. This basic technique
has been developed through the ages into
massage we know it today. Massage is the
systematic manipulation of the soft body
tissues for therapeutic purposes. Massage
in its most basic form has been around
as long as man, however today there are
many highly specialized forms of massage
all derived from these basic techniques.
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Touch is one of the
oldest known medical treatments known
in the world. Touch therapy is described
in the Ayer-Veda, the earliest known medical
text from India (around 1800 B.C.), along
with diet and exercise as primary healing
practices of the time. Hippocrates, in
400 B.C., described medicine as the
art of rubbing.
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THE WORD MASSAGE is
from the Greek to knead, to strike to
press, to condense, and according to Graham "Massage: Reference Handbook of the
Medical Sciences", includes "friction,
kneading, manipulating, rolling, and percussion
of the external tissues of the body in
a variety of ways, either with a curative,
palliative, or hygienic object in view."
Friction, rolling, a form of deep kneading,
and percussion, are produced by the action
of many of the mechanical vibratodes.
"Mechanical Vibration", M. L.
H. Arnold Snow, M.D. 1912.
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Massage has an ancient
healing history that spans many diverse
cultures. It can soothe the nervous system,
reduce blood pressure, relax muscles,
diminish swelling, and stimulate the flow
of blood and lymphatic fluid. Ayurvedic
author and practitioner Vasant Lad recommends
an oil massage of the head and body, morning
and night, to boost your happiness quotient,
improve circulation and sleep quality,
calm the mind, and prevent headaches.
Because what touches your skin becomes
a part of your body, using good quality
oils with natural ingredients and essential
oil scents increases the positive effects
exponentially. Experiment with various
oils for various needs. Each blend of
oil uniquely affects the way in which
you experience touch and the sensation
of movement on your skin.
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MORE DETAIL BODY OIL |
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