Massage

Image courtesy of marin at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Today I’d like to talk a little about Massage.  This wonderful treatment was the beginning of my journey and is, to be honest, my passion.

Massage is considered to be amongst the oldest of all treatments used by man.  Chinese records dating back three thousand 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 programmes and has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, such as low-back pain, arthritis, and bursitis.  Massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.

In the early nineteenth century a Swede, Henreich Ling (1776-1839), developed a scientific system of massage and exercise based on physiology.  We are indebted to Ling for our modern concept of Swedish massage, although many years were to pass before it was generally accepted by the medical profession as a form of treatment, and it was not until 1899 that Sir William Bennett inaugurated a Massage Department at St George’s Hospital, London.

Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the manipulation of soft tissue for therapeutic purposes.  Massage has both a physiological and a psychological effect.  The various movements that massage exerts, either individually or in combination, affect the skin, muscle, and blood vessels, lymphatic, nervous and some of the internal organs, depending on the position and pressure of the movements involved.  In general, the pressure movements result in a speeding up of the body’s physiology, whilst slow, gentle effleurage has a soothing effect, calming the nerves and enabling the client to relax.

When effectively applied, this soothing massage quite often results in sending the client to sleep.

Holistic Massage
Holistic therapy treats the body as a "whole", which means that not only will a massage treatment pamper your physical body but it will also identify internal and external problems and provide an effective method of rebalancing.  Holistic massage is a therapeutic application of touch that is also a supportive, relaxing treatment that encourages the mind to slow down whilst energy is increased.  This treatment also lifts the spirit on an emotional level.

Benefits of Massage
Massage has both a physiological and a psychological effect.  Below is a list of the many benefits which can be achieved.

On a physical level:

Ø  Relaxes tense and overused muscles

Ø  Reduces pain and fatigue

Ø  Stimulating

Ø  Soothing

Ø  Increases blood flow in and out of the area

Ø  Increase lymphatic drainage

Ø  Improves skin conditions

Ø  Removes of waste products

Ø  Increases cellular function

Ø  Warms soft tissue

Ø  Slows heart rate

Ø  Reduces blood pressure

On a psychological level:

Ø  Reduces symptoms of stress

Ø  Relieves symptoms of depression, anxiety

Ø  Totally relaxes the mind

Ø  Invigorate, depending on client’s needs

Ø  Balances

Ø  Regenerates

Ø  Releases the natural endorphins in the brain,  our feel good factor

At Como Holistic Training we offer training this wonderful therapy, which is studied at our Centre over two and half days.  Students will have case studies to complete and revisit us for a final day for assessment and final exam.  

The course fee is £250 and carries 30.5 CPD points.  The prerequisite for this course is Anatomy and Physiology, which we also offer as an on-line distant learning course.

We also offer Introductory Courses, so you can see whether you like it.  Learn to do a back massage - it’s fun and how wonderful to learn to give your family a beautiful relaxing back massage.   The day workshop is just £45.

Have a look at our website - www.comocentreforenlightenment.com - if you can’t find what you’re looking for then email us; we are always happy to help.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog.

Reiki blessings

Gill