A Brief History of Massage
Massage is considered to be among the oldest of all treatments by
man. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years documented its use. The ancient
Hindus, Persians and Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments,
and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction
for joint and circulatory problems. Today, massage is an accepted part
of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial to many
chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis and bursitis. Massage
helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.
Massage provides relief to people from all walks of life wether weekend
or competitive athlete, the home gardener, the over stressed executive struggling
to keep pace in today's economy. Secretaries, laborers, waitresses - anyone
can feel a need for massage at some point in time. The older population,
as well, will benefit from massage, as it enhances flexibility and circulation.
The bedridden can also be helped in this regard. There are some conditions
where massage is not recommended. Your practitioner should ask for information
regarding any specific health conditions from which you may be suffering
in order to determine if massage, body work or somatic therapies are contraindicated.
In some cases, the practitioner may need your doctor's permission before
providing services.
With many chronic ailments, massage can relieve the pain and help heal.
As with physical problems, emotional problems may also be stimulated into
self-healing with massage. In many cases, this helps eliminate the need
to take harmful chemical drugs, which will unnecessarily burden the liver,
kidneys, and other vital organs.
Your massage, bodywork or somatic therapy services should be provided
by a professional who has received proper training. Don't hesitate to ask
practitioners about their background, training and experience. Referrals
from friends can usually be relied upon.
Care of your body should be at the top of your priority list. You will
feel and look better if you take the necessary steps regarding health and
nutrition in this age of increased longevity and state of mind. Massage,
bodywork and somatic therapies could play an important role in your life.
Most people feel very relaxed after a massage. Some experience freedom
from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity.
After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience
increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which
can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during
a massage, it is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage.
Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain,
improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical
fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue,
improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also
known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and
create an overall sense of well-being.
There are medical conditions and medications that would make a massage
or bodywork inadvisable. That is why we have you fill out a medical questionnaire
prior to starting your massage, and whenever your medical condition changes,
it is imperative that you tell your therapist. A few contraindications
would be blood clots, anti-coagulants, fever, and open sores. Varicose
veins should not be worked. If pregnant, notify your therapist even if
you are not sure you are pregnant, as technique needs to be modified. Approval
from your doctor may have to be obtained for specific problems, such as
fractures.
The massage or bodywork session will take place in a warm, comfortable,
quiet room. Your choice of soft music will be played to help you relax.
You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
Your session will be conducted by a trained professional who has received
proper training, often in a variety of techniques and is licensed by the
Ohio State Medical Board. Although no two massages are exactly alike, you
may request a certain technique. And if you do not care for your therapist,
please feel free to choose another therapist in our group until you find
one that does your massage the way you prefer it. When you do find a therapist
that you like, it is best if you stay with that person, as the more they
work on you the better they get to know and understand your body, your
likes and dislikes.
Most massage and bodywork techniques are performed with the client undressed
and properly covered. However, you may decide what amount of clothing you
prefer to wear for your own comfort, such as underclothes, bermuda shorts,
etc. You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable.
Only the area being worked on will be exposed and that will be recovered
when finished.
The therapist will leave the room for approximately five minutes while
you undress, cover yourself with a clean flannel sheet, and relax/wind
down on the table listening to soothing music of your choice.
You will discuss with the therapist whether you want a relaxational
massage or need work in a specific area which would be therapeutic massage.
If you are having problems, it is recommended that you have a full one
hour massage for your first massage, so that the therapist can evaluate
your problem to the fullest degree. Many times when you have a specific
pain that is bothering you, the actual cause of the pain may be coming
from another area. We usually start with the face, scalp, neck, shoulders,
do both arms, both legs and feet then turn you over. Then we proceed to the back of your head, neck, back, backs of arms, across top
of the hips and both legs into the feet. You will not be touched on or
near your genital or nipple area (male or female). If at any time during
the massage, you feel chilled, please ask for another cover, as this is
a normal reaction for the body to feel cooler as you progress through the
massage. Also, if at any time the therapist is working too deep or not deep
enough, please let your therapist know. A massage should not be painful
to be effective. There are also many different fragrances, including essential
oils, for you to choose from to be placed in the oil or cream prepared
for use on your body. If the therapist is not applying enough oil, causing
too much friction, please tell the therapist. PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR
THERAPIST IF YOU ARE NOT PLEASED WITH ANY ASPECT OF YOUR MASSAGE. WE STRIVE
TO MEET YOUR SATISFACTION. The average full-body massage lasts one hour.
A half hour session only allows time for a partial massage, your choice
of area. Many people prefer a 60 or 90 minute session for optimal relaxation.
Also you do get a full 60 or 90 minute session as we do not include getting
on & off the table as part of your session, like a lot of places do.
Follow-up therapeutic work may be as little as 15 or 30 minute sessions.
During the massage most people just close their eyes and completely relax.
A few people like to talk during their session, which is fine, but you may
not receive the full benefit of your massage, as continuous talking does
not allow your body to let go. Feel free to ask your therapist a question
regarding your massage or a particular technique at any time during the
massage. The therapist will do all of the work, whether it is lifting an
arm, leg, or getting under your back...you just lay there, relax and enjoy.
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