Healthy Fitness Zone

Archive for the ‘Massage’ Category

Oh god, MY back! How often we hear it in work place and at home. Body undergoes wear and tear like any other machinery in the world, and the problems have been addressed through massage technique which is in existence since 1800 BC as evinced by books like Ayur-veda. Therapeutic massage bifurcated into different styles like the Indian head massage both for health and cosmetic reasons. .Orthopedic massage is new addition to the world of massage techniques. Orthopedics is a branch of medical science that deals with preventing disorders involving locomotors structures like skeleton, joints, muscles, fascia, ligaments and cartilage. This has become more famous and is extensively used in the field of sports and entertainment and practitioners are now a day’s integral part of professional sports and dance teams. .

Orthopedic massage is targeted towards providing relaxation solution to musculoskeletal disorders. Studies indicate the musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are on a rampant in United States are mostly due to work related activities which are repetitive in nature. Repetitive stress injuries generally affect locomotor system, hence they are considered as orthopedic conditions. Orthopedic massage relieves pain and injuries in locomotor soft tissues naturally. It also acts as a corrective procedure. An orthopedic massage session starts with a orthopedic assessment; correlating your tissues physiology with the injury and finally selecting a suitable protocol for treatment. If you are an active sports person or a person with some hectic chair jobs then a session with professionals undertaking orthopedic massage periodically would be of some great help in living a healthy pain free life.

One of the most flourishing industries in the world is cosmetic industry. Women want to have a glowing and beautiful skin. Not only women, even men want it, which explains why a good looking girl is often portrayed with pink cheeks?  Skin is an important part of a human body which performs numerous functions. They have sensory receptors which make us sensitive to pressure, pain and temperature. They regulate heat of the human body, by regulating blood flow to the skin. Adipose tissue in the skin act as an insulator and keratin acts a water resistant. Sebaceous glands in the skin generate sebum which keeps it moist and soft. The market is flooded with a large number of products promising healthy skin but there can’t be anything better than the natural means of maintain healthy skin.

Massage is a natural technique used not only to relax your muscles but also to improve your skin health. Massage increases the blood flow to your skin there by metabolic wastes is removed due to the additional supply of oxygen and nutrients. Increased metabolism accelerates mitosis and thus new cells are produced in the surface of the skin. Massage also helps to shed off dead cells on the surface of the skin. It also causes dilation of the surface blood capillaries thereby improving the shine of the skin. Massaging stimulates sebum secretion and thus makes it soft and moist. A good massage session at least once in a month would help you to have a glowing and healthy skin.

Most of us believe massage is a pleasurable activity but we should also understand the benefits reaped out of a good session of massage. The technique have evolved into a science and bifurcated into a variety of disciplines in the modern age. Evidence of massage has been found in artifacts and cave paintings of the ancient ages suggesting usages of it for healing and beautifying purposes. Chinese have been practicing it since 3000 BC, ancient Chinese books contains massage techniques for improvement of health and well-being. Techniques like acupressure and acupuncture are methods evolved from massage. A similar pressure technique exists in Japan and is known as tsubo and later changed into shiatsu. Ayur-veda or art of life was practiced by Hindus during 1800BC which explained how rubbing and shampooing help reducing fatigue and help well being. The massaging practice spread into the European countries. It is believed that Greeks conducted rituals, and gymnastic sporting events for physical fitness and massage was used before these events for improved performance of athletes and after events to alleviate muscle fatigue.

Swedish Remedial Gymnastics is considered to be the mother of modern massage technique. The technique used, had movements involving vibration, friction, rolling’ and slapping and are part and parcel of the present day massage techniques. Later on massage was used for treating diseases and disorders in the light of anatomy and physiology. Since then it has become an effective therapeutic treatment technique.  Germans have used it extensively during the First World War and trained a number of people and used massage as treatment, under the guidance of doctors. The use of massage as a Remedial Exercise to treat medical conditions gradually declined due to electrotherapy. Thereafter, they were no more a part of physiotherapy. It became little used as a therapeutic treatment in hospitals. Though demand for massage still exist in clinics but as a complementary medicine. So go on and book your own session of therapeutic massage for a hygienic well being.