If you’re not feeling well then the first thing you do is take any medication you have at home; followed by a trip to your doctor. However, modern society is slowly awakening to the fact that modern medicines are not the only way to heal your body. There are many alternatives that can work in isolation or conjunction with your prescription medications.
Massage as medicine may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider alternative therapies; but it is something you should be considering. In fact, massage can do more than help treat the symptoms of disease; it can actually help to prevent some issues from occurring. It has been linked with reduction of pain after exercise, back pain, better life quality for cancer sufferers and people with depression. It can even help those with HIV or full blown AIDS.
Massage Therapy
There are actually many different types of techniques used in massage therapy. You can even look at having it in the comfort of your own home by looking at a Massage Chair Compare site to find the most suitable one for you.
The basis of these therapies actually originates in ancient Egypt. The principle is to gently manipulate the soft tissue and muscle in your body. In doing so this releases tension and serotonin; the neurotransmitter that makes you feel better and happier.
It is important to choose the right type of massage therapy for your desired results:
- Swedish massage kneads in circular movements with long strokes.
- Sports massage focuses on deep tissues along with elements of Swedish massage; unsurprisingly it’s popular with athletes.
- Aromatherapy uses essential oils to stimulate the body and encourage well being.
- Trigger point therapy or reflexology utilizes the theory that there are trigger points throughout the body. Pressing on the right one can alleviate issues in your body.
All of these have a place in making you feel better and more able to cope with every day issues.
Scientific Research
There have been many different studies into the effectiveness of different massages on specific medical issues or general well being. Unfortunately the results are conflicting making it possible to say that massage has no effect on your well being.
But, the issue is actually that there are so many different techniques and diseases that it is virtually impossible to identify and test the right massage therapy for each disease. What researchers do agree on is that massage therapy can help to alleviate pain and provide your body with a better opportunity to fight the disease or inflammation.
That in itself is enough to try a massage or two. However, if you’re uncertain you must remember that you need to use a properly trained masseuse or try out one of the many great massage chairs on the market.
These can be researched and the benefits established, a cheap masseuse cannot and may cause more harm than good. Done properly there are few, if any, risks. It’s worth doing your research first.