Massage Therapy: Luxury or Necessity?

As a Shiatsu Therapist I hold a deep belief that physical touch is one of the most important forms of communication there is.

Massage removes stress and tension that builds up in the skin on a daily basis.
By removing this tension, blood flow is increased; tendons, ligaments and muscle become more flexible and thus the risk of muscular and skeletal injury is reduced. In addition when relaxed we feel a deep sense of well being even if it's at the subconscious level.

Tension, if not removed, begins to descend deeper into the body. It can restrict blood flow and breathing which in turn can accelerate the onset of fatigue. If insufficient oxygen and nutrients reach cells and tissue we tire quicker and the normal cycle of repair and replacement becomes diminished. If allowed to continue for extended periods of time serious illness both mental and physical can set it.

That is not to say the only way to reduce stress and tension is massage. There are many ways of achieving this from regular excurse to meditation. However, massage, generally works best when received from some one else and that is the key to its significance.

I was taught that the simplest form of healing is to hold hands. In doing so you create a bridge between two beings, a physical link that lets the receiver know they are alive, that someone cares and that we are not alone. This in itself can help us get though even the most difficult of experiences. The difficulty is not reduced but the ability to face it can be increased making it more manageable.

There are so many ways in which we can acquire stress in our modern world not least the feeling that we have no time, we are too busy. The constant rush creates a great deal of friction and tension builds up until we eventually we are forced to stop.

By indulging in regular massage we can help reduce our over all stress levels allowing us to function more effectively. Therefore although I wouldn't say that massage is an absolute necessity, to view it exclusively as a luxury would also be incorrect as in truth it can be both.

For those who need it, it is necessary

For those who don't it is a luxury

At the end of the day if we all took time out for a bit of luxury on a regular basis we would see how beneficial massage is and come to view it as necessary as regular dental, health and sight checks.

Learn more about this author, Andy Hall.
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