Continuing with my article on various therapies in naturopathy, today I am writing about Massage Therapy.
Massage Therapy
Massage is also a modality of naturopathy and is quite essential for maintaining good health. Massage involves acting and manipulating the body pressure-structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving-tension, motion or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, and feet. There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. It aims at improving blood circulation and strengthening bodily organs. In the winter season, sunbath after massaging the whole body is a well-known practice of preserving health and strength. It bestows the combined benefits of massage and sun rays therapy. In disease conditions, necessary therapeutic effects can be obtained through specific techniques of massage. It is a substitute for exercise for those who can non do the same. Various oils are used as lubricants like mustard oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil, aroma oils, etc which also have therapeutic effects.
There are seven fundamental modes of manipulation in massage and these are Touch, effleurage (stroking), friction (rubbing), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), vibration (shaking or trembling), and joint movement. Movements vary according to disease condition and parts applied.
Other forms of massage helpful in most ailments are Vibratory massage, Powder massage, Water massage, and Dry massage. Powder of neem leaves, rose petals and are also used as lubricants for massage.
Physiological Effects of Massage
Reflex effects are as follows;
- Vasodilation of arteries.
- Stimulation aids in digestion.
- Increase or decrease in muscle tone.
- Increase activity of the organs in the abdominal cavity.
- Triggers the relaxation response.
- Soothing or stimulating effect on muscle.
- Stimulates the heart, and increases the strength and rate of contraction.
- Increases efficiency of the immune system.
Mechanical effects (response resulting from directly applied manual pressure) are as follows:
- Increased venous return.
- Increased lymphatic flow, and lymphatic discharge.
- Circulatory efficiency.
- Loosening of mucous (respiratory system).
- Breakdown of fibrosis/adhesions.
- Stretch to shortened muscles/loosens muscle fibers.
- Increased muscle temperature.
- Stretches scar tissue.
- Decreased muscle tone/increased muscle tone.
- Restoration of proper joint mechanics/biomechanics.
- Elimination of muscle imbalances.
- Strengthen weakened muscle.
Benefits of Massage
General massage, dealing with all parts of the body, is highly beneficial in many ways. It tones up the nervous system, influences respiration, and quickens the elimination of toxic waste material from the body through various eliminative organs such as lungs, skin, kidneys, and bowels. It also boosts blood circulation and metabolic processes. A massage removes facial wrinkles, helps to fill out hollow cheeks and neck, and eases stiffness, sore muscle, and numbness. Medical research has shown that the benefits of massage include pain relief, reduced trait anxiety, and depression, and temporarily reduced blood pressure, heart rate, etc.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
12th December 2022.