Full Body Massage: Psychosomatic Therapy
History records the prevalence of the full body massage as a regular feature of ancient civilizations – Hellenic, Egyptian, Roman, and Asian. Even then, centuries ago, a massage could not be administered by just anyone. Social historians say that the masseur or masseuse had a status somewhere between a physician and a priest in ancient Egypt. This esteem was well deserved, because the massage requires specialized training to be performed properly and correctly.
Massage is a form of psychosomatic treatment. By ‘psychosomatic treatment’ I mean that which affects the body and the mind in consort. A trained masseuse will use her knowledge of physiology to soothe the nerves. This calms the recipient’s mind. The masseuse will also manipulate the muscles and tissues to relieve physical tension. So you benefit bodily and mentally in many wonderful ways. An untrained practitioner focuses only on the physical aspect, the body. Therefore such a massage is only half done, and leaves you vaguely unsatisfied.
Massage is based on a specific psychosomatic treatment that is popularly called ‘touch therapy’. We all know the effect and value of a hearty hug, an emotional embrace, a tender touch, and a kindly kiss. Few know that these ‘touches’ actually help the body to heal itself in an inexplicable but wonderful way. The massage stimulates the blood circulation which is a prime treatment in itself, because a better blood flow improves excretion of toxic substances from the body, improves the supply of oxygen to the muscles and organs, improves the supply of disease-fighting antibodies to sites under virulent attack. Even the skin benefits from a massage. It becomes tauter, even radiant, so much so that people not only look younger they actually feel younger! So who needs Ponce de Leon when you have a good masseuse!
There are many people who go out of their way to stay at a particular hotel or health resort only to avail of the massage services they offer. So it’s time that you shed your apprehensions about massage parlors and take the plunge! You won’t regret it, ever!
A well reputed massage parlor will charge you anything from $50 to $100 for a an hour long session. You’ll be led into a private cabin where you’ll be asked to remove your clothes and then lie prone on the massage table. An assistant will cover you with a sheet, not just for the sake of modesty, but actually as a requirement of the massage therapy, since body warmth must be maintained. Only one part will be uncovered at a time, the one which is being massaged. Using special aromatic oils the masseuse will begin the massage, using a variety of manipulative movements of her hands, the main being strokes or gentle kneading or circular movements.
The masseuse will begin at the feet and then continue up to the hips. You’ll feel the massage magic begin to work. Indescribably pleasant, the massage will release the negative tensions from the soles of your feet, your calves, your thighs, and then your hips. You’ll feel a warmth coursing through your veins, sorry, arteries! A warmth which heals away all those ailments, those cricks in the joints, those sore spots in the hams.
From the hips her hands will move over the back, the arms and shoulders, the neck, and finally the head.
Massaging generates a little heat inside the body which heals the body from the inside. Thus therapeutic heat is generated right at the spot where it is needed. This process of internal healing is wonderfully restorative. There is just one thing you must be careful about: don’t visit any of these shady massage parlors. Ask around before selecting one to give your custom to. Insist on being massaged by a professional masseuse who has undergone a rigorous training and passed a state-approved examination before being licensed to practice in public. This is to make sure that you are not harmed in any way. So, see you at the massage parlor!
Tags: health, Massage, self improvement, therapy