The Healing Hands Massage in Houston About Massage

What is Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, by the touch. In addition to "rubbing," massage therapy, often referred to as bodywork with various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibration, rocking, friction, kneading and compression using primarily the hands, although massage therapists do use other areas of the body, such as the forearms, elbows or feet. All of the techniques are used for the benefit of the musculoskeletal, circulatory-lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. In fact, massage therapy positively influences the overall health and well being of the client.

Physical and Mental Benefits

Relaxes the whole body
Loosens tight muscles
Relieves tired and aching muscles
Increases flexibility and range of motion
Diminishes chronic pain
Calms the nervous system
Lowers blood pressure
Lowers heart rate
Enhances skin tone
Assists in recovery from injuries and illness
Strengthens the immune system
Reduces tension headaches
Reduces mental stress
Improves concentration
Promotes restful sleep
Aids in mental relaxation

Benefits of Massage Therapy

From a physiological or mechanical point of view, massage increases the lubrication between muscle fibers and allows the muscle to move optimally. Muscle fibers are designed to work independently of each other. When muscles dry out, or dehydrate, the fibers stick together and the muscle becomes stiff or ridged. As fluid is reintroduced, the muscle softens and regains its flexibility. As circulation increases between the muscle fibers, nutrients reach the cells and toxins are carried off more efficiently.

Aging is largely a process of dehydration. The less water in the body, the more quickly we age. As we dehydrate, we begin to shrink and as our muscles become smaller, our skin begins to wrinkle. Drinking lots of water and having regular massage is a great way to get rid of wrinkles.

Muscle dehydration is found at every area of disease. This would lead one to believe that good circulation could possibly keep one healthy. The Bible teaches that life is in the blood. If this is true, we need the best circulation we can get. Massage increases circulation, hence, increases oxygen to the cells. It's time to get a massage.

From a psychological point of view, massage creates a sense of being cared for, of being nurtured. Massage helps us become more aware of our bodies and the feelings we value. Human touch connects one person to another and the feelings shared are healing and energizing emotionally. Safe touch is an important part of life. Massage by a responsible professional is a relaxing way to enjoy safe touch.

Massage gives one a feeling of comfort and relaxation like a mini vacation from the pressures of life. A group was given mathematical problems both before and after a series of massages and accuracy increased some 20%. Massage also increases beta waves in this study, which shows that one is more relaxed after a series of massages. This relaxed state lasts longer as the cumulative benefits of more massage at regular intervals are experienced.

Weekly massage will make you look and feel years younger. You owe it to yourself to give massage a try. You will be so very glad you did.

Today, many royal families have massage professionals on their family staff. Treat yourself like royalty; take a mini massage vacation for an hour or two this week. You are worth it!

Massage is the most fundamental of all healing techniques. Massage is so basic to nature that we do it automatically. Let me explain.

You are walking across a room, and you accidentally bump your knee on the edge of a low table. Pain shoots up your leg. Instantaneously you grab your knee and without thinking, you begin to rub it. This is massage.

The point is that massage is the most naturally healing thing you can do. The nurturing touch is simple, instinctual, and more powerful than we can imagine. Some of the many studies on touch show conclusively that it reduces stress, alleviates depression, reduces pain, boosts the immune system, and helps pre-mature babies catch up in their development. Without touch we close down. With touch we love, communicate, and nurture one another. So massage is not just a profession for a special few; it is part of the healing touch we all possess.

Because massage is naturally healing, its therapeutic use dates back as far as mankind. Ancient Greek, Roman, and Oriental medical treatises describe in detail how and when massage should be used. In the Western world it fell out of favor in the Middle Ages as the church regarded the body as sinful. But, by the 1800's, a new interest in massage was started in Sweden, and today there are many popular modalities of therapeutic massage and bodywork.

Massage professionals have spent years observing the benefits of using certain strokes and have developed systematic techniques to relieve the pain and stress of mankind. There are literally dozens of these therapies, each with their own association dedicated to supporting its members and promoting the benefits of their work.