Massage is a technique of hand movements developed in the East of Africa and Chinese and Indian areas, which has a positive influence on the muscles of the body. The origin of massage dates back to the 3rd millennium BC. The German word Massage has its etymological root from different languages, among others Greek “massein” translated knead and French “masser” translated massage. A massage is hand movements such as squeezing and stretching on certain muscle areas that promote blood circulation to create a sense of well-being. Meanwhile, other applications have emerged in the medical field.
Functions, effects and objectives
The benefits of massage are: promoting blood circulation, muscle relaxation, pain relief and psychological relaxation. The main function of massage is to increase blood flow in the targeted area of the body through mechanical stimulation. This increased blood circulation during a massage has various effects. A massage used in sports has the goal to influence the relaxation in the muscles through the higher blood circulation. Both before and after a strong stress, the risk of injury can be reduced with a massage and the subsequent regeneration can be promoted. Massage also has a positive effect on scars and wound healing. Scars do not stick together as quickly and remain more supple, and in the case of sore tissue, better blood circulation promotes faster healing. It has been found that massages, through a positive stimulation of nerve parts, transmit stimulation to internal organs and improve their condition. But for a massage there are not only physical, but also psychological effects that can be achieved. Stress reduction and mental relaxation are proven effects of massage.
Forms and types
Due to the many uses and cultural areas of massage, an infinite number of different forms of massage have been formed over the millennia. Roughly, these forms of massage can be divided into two upper categories. The direct massage, in which the affected area is treated, such as a sore muscle, and the reflective massage, in which external parts of the body are massaged representative of internal organs. The best known representatives of the second variant are acupressure and massage of reflex zones on the foot and hand. Swedish or classical massage, Thai massage, Ayurvedic massage and lymphatic drainage are the most common representatives of direct massage.
Massage in therapy and treatment
In the medical field, both classical massage and lymphatic drainage are used as the most common form of therapy. Somewhat more controversial and more likely to be included in the homeopathic field, is the reflex massage. Tension in the muscles and problems with joints or the spine can be improved with special massage techniques. The different hand movements of massage target different levels of the body. Stroking tends to stimulate blood circulation in the upper layers of the skin, kneading stimulates the muscles, and the vibrating technique stimulates deeper regions. Lymphatic drainage is used above all for congestion in the tissues. After surgical interventions, the extremities can be particularly affected by edema and swelling. However, swelling caused by orthopedic injuries can also be treated with lymphatic drainage. Instead of stimulating blood flow, lymphatic drainage promotes flow in the lymphatic vessels and provides relief. The therapeutic applications of reflective massage are almost unlimited. From pain therapy, to sleep disorders, to dysfunction of individual organs, this type of massage can have a supportive effect.
