What is massage therapy? |

Massage therapy is a term that encompasses several therapeutic techniques, whose objective is to improve health and prevent some bodily imbalances. Through the act of touching regions of a person’s body, performing strong or subtle movements, it is possible to work on the physical and mental aspects of each one. The practice, based on relaxing, aesthetic or therapeutic massage techniques inspired by the East and West, is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Benefits

Massage therapy provides relief from stress, pain and tension, muscle relaxation, release of toxins from the bloodstream, increased flexibility and improved blood circulation, in addition to a general feeling of well-being.

Contraindications

It is not recommended to apply massage therapy on bruises or abrasions on the skin, as well as on any type of unknown tumor; it must work as a complement to medical treatments, in order to accelerate the effectiveness of this type of practice. For this reason, it is not recommended to abandon any treatment without consulting a doctor.

How to apply in everyday life?

It is up to the massage therapist to assess the needs of each one and choose the best method for the application. Unlike common massage, which uses the same application technique for all patients, in massage therapy people are subjected to a series of different techniques, according to their needs.

The main techniques that can be applied are:

Relaxing massage (Ayurvedic or Chinese) Hot stone massage Shiatsu Foot, hand, facial or cranial reflexology Shantala

It is possible to find professionals specialized in massage therapy in spas, clinics and sports and rehabilitation centers.

Origin

The practice of massages has been present in humanity since the oldest civilizations. For thousands of years, people have used some method related to massage therapy. In China, 3000 BC, the first records of massage techniques appeared. As early as 500 BC it was advised that people do gymnastics to speed up some treatments. In Rome, it was found that Emperor Julius Caesar used massage therapy to relieve his headaches. In the year 600 the Japanese created shiatsu, while in the century. XI, pediatric massage was developed.

From then on, a series of techniques were incorporated into the study of Massage Therapy, until, in 1850, the USA kicked off research on therapeutic massage. Thus, in 1895 Freud tested the properties of the technique in patients who had hysteria, and in World War I, a Swedish massage technique was used to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. Finally, in the 1930s, several clinics began to adopt the therapy as a complement to medical treatments.

Curiosities

Massage therapy can be applied together with other techniques, such as Chromotherapy or Aromatherapy. Colors and aromas strengthen the body’s chakras, accelerating the feeling of well-being and bringing more energy to the body. When combined with touch, these methods contribute to emotional improvement, in the treatment of problems such as insomnia and depression. In the physical aspect, it is possible to treat migraines and muscle pain.

Our experts

– Carolina Arêas, graduated in Journalism, specialized in Bach flower remedies through Healing Herbs, in England. Afterwards, she deepened the study of practices such as Reiki level II and massage therapy, with a focus on Ayurvedic massage.

– Luciano Flehr has been working as a therapist since 2003, certified by the Intenational BodyTalk Association (IBA). He is a massage therapist trained in Chinese Medicine, Reiki, Auriculotherapy and Reset.

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