Massage Therapy at Lowanna Therapies
Massage Therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes. The moves include rhythmic stroking (effleurage), kneading (petrissage) and repeated tapping (tapotement).
Massage Therapy is used to relieve muscular spasm and pain, improve blood circulation and reduce swelling due to accumulation of fluid in the tissues. Massage is often used to alleviate stress and aid relaxation, to relieve pain and to facilitate healing from injury.
Touch is used to locate areas of stiffness, pain or tension and then various techniques involving pressure, friction or stretching of the skin are used to promote circulation and release tension.
Per-Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swedish medical-gymnastic practitioner, was born in the south of Sweden in 1776 and is often credited with developing the techniques of Swedish Massage, or Classical Massage Therapy, as it is also known.
There have been developments on Ling's work and while he used movement to cure ill health, the five classic techniques of Massage Therapy are said to be credited to a Dutch physician, Dr. Johan George Mezger, even though Ling is more commonly called the "father of Swedish Massage".
With a variety of hands-on methods, a skilled massage therapist not only stretches and loosens muscle and connective tissue, but also improves blood flow and the movement of lymph throughout the body. The therapist's hands facilitate the removal of metabolic waste products resulting from exercise or inactivity, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach the cells and tissues.
In addition, massage can stimulate the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers into the brain and nervous system.
The release of muscular tension also helps to unblock and balance the overall flow of life energy throughout the body (known in different cultures as vital force, bio-energy, chi, prana, ki, etc). All of this benefits the body's general health and well being.
Massage Therapy is not suitable however on broken, damaged, bruised, swollen or infected skin, burns, open cuts or wounds, over varicose or inflamed veins or when someone has deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a fever.
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