Massage

Massage is the manipulating of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough", cf. Greek verb μάσσω (massō) "to handle, touch, to work with the hands, to knead dough". In distinction the ancient Greek word for massage was anatripsis, and the Latin was frictio.

Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well aslymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet. There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.

In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage subject may be fully clothed or unclothed. In the case of the latter, the parts of the body that are not being massaged are usually covered with towels or sheets, but this can depend on the preference of the therapists and the type of work being performed. 

9 Reasons you need a massage

More than an indulgent splurge, a good massage can help treat everything from anxiety and arthritis to insomnia and injury rehabilitation.


Booking a massage may seem decadent, but there are real health benefits to be gained beneath the hands of an experienced professional.


1. Massage can reduce anxiety, depression and stress
Massage therapy is a wonderful way to reduce anxiety and stress. "It stimulates the body's natural endorphins, which help to relieve nervous tension," says Whynacht.


And if stress has given way to a more serious case of the blues, seeing a massage therapist -- in addition to consulting with your medical doctor --could make a positive difference.


"Massage can help the body raise neurochemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which aid in reducing depression," Whynacht explains.


2. Massage can help you sleep better
Raising serotonin levels via massage therapy can also help people who suffer from sleep disorders, although the more immediate effects may be even simpler.


"Massage relaxes your body and your mind, which [is something] many people with insomnia need help with," says Whynacht. She goes on to explain that many clients report improved sleep after a massage, while many also find themselves involuntarily dozing off during their treatment.


3. Massage can weaken pain and frequency of headaches and migraines
"Many headaches, even migraines, are often the results of muscle tension," explains Whynacht.


However, while you might assume that the tension is in your head because that's where you feel pain, it can actually be caused by soreness somewhere else in your body. The terms you'll hear a therapist use are "referral pain," which is where you're feeling it, and "trigger point," which is the area that's causing the pain.


"Massage therapy can improve circulation to stiff, sore muscles, relaxing them and stopping the referral of muscle pain to the head," says Whynacht.


4. Massage can boost your immune system
In addition to getting plenty of fluid and rest when you're under the weather, clear a little time in your calendar for a massage.


"Massage therapy promotes the movement of lymphatic fluid in our bodies," says Whynacht. "This fluid removes toxins and waste, which is quite helpful when trying to fight an infection."


The benefits can last beyond a speedy recovery, too. "This is a natural way to help strengthen your immune system."


5. Massage can ease joint pain
Whynacht says that massage therapy can help ease most joint pains by increasing the range of motion and relieving compensating muscle pain.


"[It can] make a huge difference," she says. "Whether the joint pain is chronic or if you are recovering from an injury."


6. Massage can speed healing after surgery or injuries
"Massage therapy can stimulate weak muscles that have been affected by an injury," explains Whynacht. "It increases range of motion, improves blood circulation and reduces pain."


She also says that massage can decrease inflammation, promote lymphatic drainage and help reduce scar tissue formation -- all things that do your body good post trauma or injury. Whynacht goes on to note that massage therapy is especially helpful for carpal tunnel syndrome and both muscle and tendon sprains.


7. Massage helps with asthma and emphysema
Respiratory problems can decrease mobility in your rib cage, overtax your breathing muscles and strain neck muscles, all of which can be helped by massage.


Whynacht also cites diaphragmatic breathing, which is promoted by therapists, as beneficial. "[It] can improve lung function," she explains.


8. Massage provides arthritis relief
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, in which joints become swollen, massage can help decrease inflammation. And with osteoarthritis, where the cartilage on the ends of bones wears away, massage therapy can help promote better overall posture. That, in turn, can prevent excessive or uneven pressure on your joints.


Whynacht adds, however, that massage therapy may not be a good idea for anyone suffering from severe osteoporosis. If that is the case, you should consult your doctor before receiving treatment.


9. Massage can relieve pregnancy aches and pains
Looking for a gift for a friend who is expecting? Give her the gift of a little relief.


"Massage therapy during pregnancy can help reduce low back pain and decrease fluid retention," says Whynacht. And if you're going to be heading into the delivery room yourself, bring a massage therapist along. According to Whynacht, massage during labour can help eliminate muscle spasms.

Most common massage style and often requested

The most familiar with clients. Swedish Massage often called Classic European Massage is generally done with the aid of oils and incorporates long, smooth, slow strokes creating a very relaxing experience. Kneading, friction, compression,
percussion, vibration, and stroking are all used in Swedish Massage. Muscles are worked until totally relaxed.

Swedish Massage is one of the most well-known and widely practiced massage / bodywork techniques. This vigorous system of treatment provides generalized relaxation, increased cell nutrition and improved circulation, which may reduce swelling and speed healing from injury, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and enhance the client's overall state of health.

A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL MASSEURS SERVICES IN THE INTERNET

Now a days, internet is much wide spread all over the world. Any kind of business small or big. Easy to surf and check of what you want or you need. So really everything is easier. thanks to the high technology which keep us more convenient. I do my business marketing (massage) through the internet. When I came to Saudi Arabia, I also use my expertize as a massage therapist. At first, I don't know how to approach people or someone else with my added profession. In Saudi Arabia, a lot of things that you should know. There are a lot of things that you should know when your coming to this place. Knows the do and don't. With regards to this profession, you have to be very careful as you might be mis-understood. This is a religious place that some of the things we do in the Philippines is illegal to their knowledge. So one of the things is the massage. Here in Saudi Arabia, if you're a masseur, you can't applied what we are. There are some few things that you should know. the masseur can only accept male and the masseuse can only do for female, but in the other gulf area like Bharain, Dubai and other neighboring place, we can do this. But here, it is impossible. Maybe you can do this kind of work if the female is not a Saudi National. But it depends as well. In massage business, there are many type of massage perform by a masseur. even some delicate job is not easy to introduce to them unless if the person is aware and knows about the real massage. Anyhow, to make short I started doing my business learning how to use the internet. To make short, I did it myself. It takes for me a while learning some few things in introducing my additional profession but atleast I have a good feedback. But even though I do my business through the internet, still you don't have any assurance as some people as well, they're looking for something else. I think you understand already (if not, just give me a buzz and I will explain to you later). I do also this profession almost a year before I joined to work with another company. As I said, I have to work hard as I have two kids to feed and thanks to GOD, with my profession, I got my own place as well (I bought a house and lot package but still I'm paying as well). Now a days, even though you're earning much but sometimes, you have also to watch how you spent your money. Anyhow, it helps me a lot by earning from my permanent job plus I do a part time massage. I decided to joined another company as I have my goal to reach... Being a masseur, you must be patient and friendly. Here in Saudi Arabia, you must face the consequences as for the truth, this kind of job if you're freelancer is quite risky. I'm not sayng it's dangerous but make sure you have the right people or client you're working with as some other individual, they might thought that you're doing something else. Here also in Saudi Arabia, some other individual are doing this things but something else what really they're performing. I heard some rumors that some are cought and they're are doing some illegal stuff. My advise to the others who are doing same things is that just be very careful as they're might some other individual who are spying and if you do some other things which is against the country's belief,l you might be put into danger. Just a friendly advise that you should take care of your business as well as yourself. Even though my business is through the internet, I must sure that I'm safe. For me, I have enough customers to attend. Just keep in your mind that we're stranger here on this strange land and anything can happen to us in anytime. For me, I have always passion being a masseur and love it. Being a masseur, is not easy specially we're on this kind of place. Everything is to be careful of what you've done.

As I said, to check myself as a member of international masseur, please check the profile link at : http://www.findamasseur.com/go.cfm?ID=1446
or click the icon picture and you will be guided there.

INTRODUCTION

Massage is an Art form that has been around for centuries. Massage was used in the times of old to heal people physically and spiritually. Body work has various modalities of healing people at so many different levels. The human body has the natural ability to heal itself. Through the power of touch the body receives the tools it needs for healing advantage.

With the benefits like increased blood circulation, decreased muscle tension, and deep relaxation, the body has room to systematically begin relieving overall tension. Massage is truly a gift that should be taken advantage of and enjoyed to its fullest.

Being a Massage/Reflexology Therapist has dramatically change my life. I have been a massage/reflexology therapist for over two years and have discovered the secret to well-being. The secret includes being hydrated, exercising, receiving massage and simply loving your body. You have to consistently take care of your body if you want your body to take care of you. Your body is your temple so take care of it.