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THE ORIGINS & HISTORY OF MASSAGE
Massage is not a technique derived from one culture but from many. People the world over have used touch as a form of communication, comfort and defence throughout history.
The earliest use of massage stems back to 3000 BC, in China. Further evidence of earlier use has been documented by the Greeks and Romans, as well as in India.
The ancient Chinese called their technique ‘amma’ and used specific movements on particular points of the body. It was used for the promotion and restoration of health as well as for relaxation.
The Japanese also used the amma technique with similar pressure points which they called ‘tsubo’. Shiatsu, the application of pressure to certain points of the body in order to improve circulation, neural efficiency and general health, uses similar points and is a direct descendant of this ancient Japanese massage practice.
In India, massage has always been used as part of traditional, Ayurvedic, medicine.
In Roman times, massage was used for treating stiff and sore muscles and joints, curing disease, strengthening the constitution and improving circulation. Gladiators were given massage before and after their bouts of fighting. A physician named Galen, who was Greek but worked for the Roman Emperor, wrote many medical books stressing the use of massage for health purposes.
The above information is referenced from: Tucker, Louise, 2001. An Introductory Guide to Massage. London: EMS Publishing (With kind permission from EMS Publishing www.emspublishing.co.uk)
NATURAL BALANCE THERAPIES
My training is based on the modern massage techniques developed in the nineteenth century, by a Swedish Physiologist. These Swedish techniques are also used in other therapies such as physiotherapy, stress management and aromatherapy.
My aim is to provide massage therapies which encompass the whole person, working towards helping with specific requirements as well as to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the massaged areas, warm them, and decrease pain.
TYPES OF MASSAGE
"There are over 80 types of massage therapy and in all of them, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body, often varying pressure and movement.
Practitioners mostly use their hands and fingers, but may use their forearms, elbows, or feet. Typically, the intent is to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the massaged areas, warm them, and decrease pain." Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - CNHC
Despite being used for many years, massage is only now building a body of clinical evidence to support its use in the healthcare arena. Guidelines recently published by the National Institute for Clinical Evidence (NICE) recommends that patients with persistent, non-specific low back pain have access to a choice of different treatments, including massage. The NICE guidelines state “The effect of massage on patients with chronic low back pain lasted at least a year after the end of treatment.”
As with all our treatments, we offer a full consultation to ensure that each massage is right for you.
*Savingy P, et al (May 2009). Low Back Pain: early management of persistent non-specific low back pain. London: National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care and Royal College of General Practitioners. Available from the NICE website at: www.nice.org.uk
"I booked a session with Carole and I am now a very different person, mentally and physically."
To book a professional massage for yourself, or a friend, call Carole on telephone number 020 8941 7646 or 07747 047052.