Understanding Massage

Massage is a way of aiding the body and mind to relax and rejuvenate the body in it’s entirety. To achieve this, the massage practitioner works with the muscles and soft tissues and with other bodies systems.

The concept of the connection between the body, mind and emotion can be viewed in several ways. For example, think of a pleasant situation - warm emotions are evoked as the body relaxes into the image. Whereas, if driving the car an accident looks imminent, the body tenses, the mind races looking for an escape route.

Emotions such as fear and anxiety are foremost in the mind at this point. These are extreme examples, but on a daily basis our mind subtly alters our physical state.

Through massage our awareness of our body’s state is heightened and we can learn to recognize the developing signs of dis-ease and thereby take the opportunity to deal with this.

Under the daily stress of living the muscular system’s usual response is to “tighten up”, this in turn affects our skeleton by pulling it out of alignment. These muscles often remain contracted, reducing the work potential until finally we need to see a chiropractor,physiotherapist, or massage therapist for treatment.

The overriding result of tension is a vicious circle of pain and restricted blood flow, which in turn leads to more pain and eventually spasm.

You can break this cycle with massage and relaxation techniques.

The use of superficial stroking and effleurage help to deaden the pain and release tension. Circulation is stimulated through kneading, therefore aiding the removal of metabolic waste.

Massage is a way of helping to prevent this stress response, by inducing a state of relaxation, which eases tension out of the body assisting with the relaxation of contracted muscles on a regular basis. It is a tool of health promotion as well as assisting in regaining optimal health. This state of body alignment allows all the other body systems to function optimally.