What is it ?
"The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating and even despondent state, becomes after massage, calm, quiet, peaceful and subdued; in fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed."
(Dr Stretch Dowse, Eminent Victorian Physician, 1887)
History Of Massage
The word massage is most likely to have emerged from the Greek word 'Massein', meaning 'to knead' or the Arabic word 'mas'h' meaning 'to press softly'. Massage is the oldest form of physical medicine known to man and can be traced back to the early Chinese medical manuscripts around 400BC. Massage was advocated by Hippocrates who was born in the fifth century and was known as 'the father of medicine'. He wrote;
"The way to health is to have a scented bath and an oiled massage every day"
Massage was widely used and written of in Roman times with history
recording how Julius Ceaesar received massage to relieve neuralgia!
Very little was recorded about massage in Europe between the Roman
times and the early Middle Ages, but by the sixteenth century medicine
slowly started to re-learn what had been lost. Between 1776 and 1839, a
Swedish professor, Peter Ling, created a scientific system of
therapeutic massage known as Swedish massage and established a teaching
institute in Stockholm.
Today, massage therapy is one of the fastest growing forces in the field of health care.
Massage Therapy...
Is a wonderful way to relax and detoxify. Regular treatments can improve blood circulation, strengthen the immune system as well as increase energy levels and sense of well-being.
Is holistic in its approach. it works with the whole person; encompassing ones physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. It considers the whole person in diagnosis and aims to discover and treat the cause as well as the symptom. It is thus an effective way of treating both mind and body:
- Physically, it is designed to improve the blood, muscular and nervous system, to assist the digestive system and to relieve tight, knotted muscles due to poor posture, over-exercise or injury.
- Emotionally and mentally, its calm and soothing effects can help those who are suffering from conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression or bereavement.
- Spiritually, it can support a deeper connection with the self and help to instill a greater sense of peace within.
