Massage Therapy & Reflexology Provide “Human Touch” in a Stressful World

Learn How You Can Improve Your Internal and Mental Health Through Massage Therapy!

Life comes at you fast, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Stress – even good stress – can wear you down. Take the edge off your edge. Increase susceptibility to colds and flu. Take a mini-vacation to melt away stress and tension with massage and reflexology. Both are forms of bodywork – techniques that work the body for health and fitness.

Ancient Greeks used massage as much as exercise in training for the Olympics. Born in ancient India, Tibet, and China, reflexology uses specific techniques on the feet, hands, and even ears to balance the body and improve health.

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Therapeutic massage (not masseuse, please) and reflexology are gaining acceptance as legitimate and healthful ways to relieve stress, manage depression, recover from exercise or accidents, (or a too-heavy back pack!), and even manage some diseases. Youth to seniors report improvement with arthritis, diabetes, circulatory and breathing problems. Deeper and more restful sleep follows massage and reflexology. That’s because they reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increase blood flow. Endorphins (the body’s natural painkiller) release into the bloodstream, which helps relieve joint and body stiffness. Bodywork also improves the immune system.

Americans live so much in our heads that we disconnect from the world around us. Kind and thoughtful human touch from a pat on the back to a hug grounds us, makes us feel part of something greater than ourselves. Human touch can melt feelings of isolation, sadness. It speeds healing physical injuries to broken hearts.

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Human touch is so fundamental, that babies need touch to grow and develop properly as shown by Tiffany Fields at the University of Miami School of Medicine (www.miami.edu/touch-research). And this human need to connect with others continues throughout our lives.

Americans keep their distance compared to Europeans and other cultures. We cuddle pets instead of each other. Still, we can pat someone on the back, shake hands more often, or just ask to give a hug of appreciation (for no special reason at all! Or, just because I’ve missed you!).

Thanks to modern communication, these once mystical ancient arts are now practiced by licensed and certified therapists in communities across North America. Need a therapist?

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Licensure is voluntary in some states and locals. Check around to get a licensed or certified massage therapist or reflexologist. These credentials mean the person has met educational and skill requirements, and attends classes to keep up with changing times.

Besides all the medical benefits, massage and reflexology are caring ways to connect with other human beings. Many stores sell simple massagers for the back and feet. Yet, most people report that the human touch is best. Some report that up to 30% of the experience is the healing energy in the human hands.

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So, how can you learn some simple techniques? Therapists and instructors speak and teach before classes, groups, and even parties. Some hospitals and colleges offer short, specialty classes. The techniques are easy to do for oneself (ease a headache or aching feet!) or a friend or parent (a nice back rub is so relaxing).

Article written by: Paula S. Stone, MA, NCMTB, LMT, CMR

Paula S. Stone is a nationally certified massage therapist, certified reflexologist, teacher, author, and speaker. She can be reached at www.thestoneinstitute.org

Copyright Notice (c) 2006, Soft Touch Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

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