The True Benefits of Massage Therapy

The True Benefits of Remedial Massage Therapy

By Editors at The Massage Source

Have you ever thought what a treat and luxury it would be to get a massage? You’re not alone. Only 18% of Americans had a massage last year. That means 1 in 5 people had one massage all year. Most people understand that massage therapy has proven health benefits, so why aren’t we taking advantage of this pleasurable and beneficial form of therapy?

Massage can save you money.

Times have been admittedly tough and, historically, when the economy is down, we give up our luxury items first. If you consider massage therapy a luxury, then it’s something you’re probably avoiding, no matter how much you wish you could have one. Well, think again. Massage therapy has benefits that could actually save you money in the long run by helping you avoid chiropractors, medical visits, medications, and even mental health therapy.

Massage can improve your outlook on life.

With a down economy and the daily pressures we experience, stress, anxiety and depression have adversely affected many of us. We can do many things to combat these negative feelings, invest in expensive counseling, or we can turn to massage therapy. Through a massage, we can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, which will raise our moods and, at the same time, help lower our blood pressure. Massage is also known to increase serotonin and dopamine levels, both of which reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.

Massage can reduce your pain.

Pain is something too many of us have accepted and learned to live with and work around. That is just plain sad and unnecessary. In many ways, massage therapy can reduce or eliminate pain. You see, our bodies react to pain by constricting muscles around injury areas. This tension is meant to decrease the injury to the area by protecting it, but it actually increases pain and inflammation. And it can become chronic. Massage can release this tension and allow better blood flow, so that areas of pain have a better chance of healing. In addition, massage therapy can increase range of motion and flexibility, which leads to better healing ability and relief from pain.

Massage can relieve your migraines.

Pain relief through massage is not limited to injuries to the body. Massage therapy has been proven to provide natural relief from migraine headaches. Regular massages for periods as short as 30 minutes reduce both the number of migraines a person experiences and the severity of migraine episodes. Massage therapy also decreases the stress, anxiety, and anger that accompany migraines.

Massage can help you sleep better and boost your immune system.

Lack of sleep or inability to fall to sleep is a major complaint for many people. Massage therapy can re-teach our bodies to naturally fall asleep by activating the delta waves that lead to deep sleep. In addition, massage therapy can help us avoid sickness by boosting our immune systems. This is not just by reducing stress; massage actually increases our white blood cells, which act as our little warriors to fight against disease and illness.

Massage can make you beautiful.

With the increase in blood flow that massage therapy provides, our hair and complexion become more radiant, and our skin plumped. Massage also boosts our lymphatic activity, which flushes toxins and allows nutrients to be better absorbed – leading to a healthier, more radiant, overall appearance.

Massage can tame your hormones.

Massage therapy has been proven to reduce or eliminate symptoms of PMS, such as bloating and severe mood swings. Massage therapy is also noted to reduce the severity of the symptoms of menopause.

The truth is: Massage therapy is not just a rich man’s luxury. It’s an investment in your health and well-being. Give yourself permission to enjoy massage therapy on a regular basis. You’ll enjoy not just the experience of the moment, but also the added health benefits that make you feel better, both mentally and physically.




http://www.themassagesource.com/articles/2013/02/the-true-benefits-of-massage-therapy/

Awakening the Body with Massage

Awakening the body with Massage

Kundalini Yoga Lecture - Yogi Bhajan Part 5

Awakening the Body with Massage

Clearing Tears and Sorrows

The body can hold old traumas. So some massage techniques are to release those old patterns. The patterns are held in place by a distribution of energy in the meridians and muscles. That pattern recreates the emotion repeatedly. It is not like a quantity of emotion is stored. So you can clear a little emotion or huge amounts quickly if you simply break the old pattern and initial a new one.

This quick massage helps the student release old sorrows, tears and grief form past relationships. By keeping the old patterns of thoughts and feelings they might seem to resist their own healing efforts. This opens the heart center to a feeling of newness and fresh possibilities.

It should be done smoothly switching quickly form one set of points to the next.

1. Student lies on the back. Bend one knee up with the foot on the ground near the buttock. The healer presses the area just inside the hip joint that is raised up a bit (called the ASIS). It should feel sore to the student. At the same time use the other hand to press the main point just below the ankle bone on the inside of the foot. Rub that point with your thumb, strongly. (Kidney 3 meridian point). 15-30 seconds on one side, then switch to the other for the same time.

2. Standing at the feet of the student, their legs relaxed down, massage the points just up, anterior, to the ankle bone on the outside of the foot (Gall Bladder 40 meridian point).Rotate both at the same time with moderate pressure. ½ minute.

3. Grab both feet in front of the ankle bones, thumbs on the inside, fingers on the outside of the foot. Move the hands up and down in a squeezing motion to massage the points (Gall Bladder 40 and Spleen 5 meridian points in that area). Massage strongly for 15- 3o seconds.

4. Use the knuckle of your index finger to press the point between the big toe and the second toe, on top of the foot, about an inch back from the crack between the toes (Liver 3 meridian point). Massage each foot one at a time for 15-20 seconds each. It is often sore be careful to adjust the pressure level.

5. Grasp both feet , one hand apiece. Reach around the toes and top of the foot. Alternately squeeze one foot as you lift it upward a bit. Then do the other foot. It should feel like a steady, rhythmical milking motion. Continue ½ to 3 minutes. This finishes the release and brings a new foundation to the feelings.