Why are Massage and Bodywork Therapies so essential to Holistic Health? The oldest form of healing , the use of physical touch to express love, provide comfort and relieve pain is as old as human-kind itself. An instinctive way of showing you care, massage and bodywork have been used in one form or another throughout history. “Rubbing” as it was called, was mentioned in medical texts from the ancient Chinese as far back as 5,000 years ago. The practice was also widely known in 500 BC by the ancient Greeks, and written about by a famous Roman physician, Galen, in the second century AD.
One of the most influential figures in Massage & Bodywork therapies during the nineteenth century was Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish gymnast. Ling’s study of the human body allowed him to develop a system of massage strokes for muscles and exercises for healthy joints. These ‘strokes’ were based on ancient techniques and classified based on their effects. His work formed the basis of what we now refer to as Swedish Massage.
During the 1960’s and 1970’s, Massage and Bodywork therapies became an important part of a holistic approach to health in the united States. Personal growth and Wellness Centers began introducing massage as a means to release emotional issues. This began the trend of using massage to restore balance and overall (holistic) health as opposed to just easing sore muscles. Massage as an essential part of Holistic self-care was later popularized by American Massage Therapist, George Downing, who was an early writer on the subject.
Today, the benefits of massage are well documented and its distinction as the most immediate way to positively affect another’s state of well-being continues. Benefits of massage include relaxing the subject; reducing pain; and lowering anxiety levels, blood pressure, and even slowing brain cell deterioration. Massage also increases circulation, enhances focus, speeds healing and increases energy. Neuro-chemically, massage releases good feeling hormones which boosts mood and energy.
Want to learn more? Healing Hands School of Holistic Health, offers an unrivaled number of classes on both Traditional and modern Massage modalities. These include TuiNa (Acupressure), Ayurvedic Massage, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian), Circulatory, Sports, and Deep Tissue . As a school of Holistic Health, you can also enroll in dozens of Holistic Health classes such as Herbal Studies, Holistic Nutrition, Homeopathy, Therapeutic stretching, and more!
Offering day, evening and weekend classes, Healing Hands Faculty has prepared more than 7,000 graduates for success and can do the same for you! Learn more at www.HealingHandsSchool.com or call us at (949) 305-2722 in Laguna Hills or (760) 746-9364 in Escondido or (858) 505-1100 in San Diego.