After surfing and reading all kinds of blogs I decided to jump on the bandwagon and join the blogging world. I chose "HealthyKneads" as my title because I'm a massage therapist and have been 'kneading' for 18 years.
Hipocrates, the father of medicine, said, “the way to health is to have an aromatic bath and scented massage everyday”, thus advocating that everyone should have a massage everyday for better health. Massage is one of the oldest healing arts: Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.
Hippocrates is also attributed with separating the discipline of medicine from religion, believing and arguing that disease was not a punishment inflicted by the gods but rather the product of environmental factors, diet and living habits. He certainly knew what he was talking about there. God does not punish us with disease, but rather it is created, as Hippocrates said, through environmental factors, diet and living habits. But that is a post for another day.
There are many health benefits to massage. There’s no denying the power of bodywork. Regardless of the adjectives we assign to it (pampering, rejuvenating, therapeutic) or the reasons we seek it out (a luxurious treat, stress relief, pain management), massage therapy can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen.
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. While eliminating anxiety and pressure altogether in this fast-paced world may be idealistic, massage can, without a doubt, help manage stress. This translates into:
- Decreased anxiety
- Enhanced sleep quality
- Greater energy
- Improved concentration
- Increased circulation
- Reduced fatigue
Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage. The emotional balance bodywork provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits.
Remember, massage is one of several useful tools for managing your health, but it doesn't take the place of standard medical treatment and exercise.
I love doing massage and feel that it is my calling. So hopefully I'll be doing massage for many more years to come.
