Throughout history, humans have employed the art of massage as a means towards greater relaxation and health. The cultures which we regard as the foundations of our civilization including Rome, medieval China and Japan, India, Greece, and even ancient Egypt, all practiced forms of massage. In addition, many cultures which have not traditionally been considered “civilized” have used massage in many different applications.

Today, the benefits of massage and massage therapy are well known, and have in fact been documented in peer reviewed medical research. This means that the best minds in the medical field endorse massage and massage therapy in a number of different situations.

Just what are the situations in which massage therapy may be called for? Let’s take a look at some common occurrences which may lead you to seek massage therapy.

An Injury:

For many, massage therapy is a key component in their road to recovery after sustaining an injury. Whether the injury in question was a pulled muscle or a broken bone, increasing levels of massage as healing takes place can greatly aid the process.

Pain Relief:

Many people suffer from chronic pains, although those pains do not occur due to a past injury. The pains may be in the form of migraine headaches or joint inflammation, incurred through age or environment.

In these cases, the pressure applied through different types of massage can greatly alleviate the amount of suffering a person is feeling. Massage appears to both dull the intensity of pain during treatment and reduce the level of pain when it re-occurs. Sometimes, massage therapy can rid the patient of specific chronic pain altogether.

Stress Relief:

Perhaps the best known massage applications is in the reduction of stress on the individual patient. Massage’s traditional application has been in the form of a relaxant, allowing the pressure of life to drift away amidst pressures placed on the physical form of the patient.

As stress is a factor in the everyday life of every human, stress reduction is the most widespread application of massage therapy. Massage has been proven not only to reduce stress but also to alleviate stress induced symptoms on both the physical and mental levels.

Why Does Massage Therapy Work?

While the benefits of massage have been proven at almost every level that matters to science (the one exception being double blind experiments, as one involving massage is impossible to design), the question of why massage works remains a mystery. Multiple theories exist that suggest why massages are effective in so many circumstances. It may activate an increased blood flow, improve sleep, release endorphins, or any number of other potentially beneficial reactions within the body.

A back massage is a great way to help reduce stress and muscle tension from a family member, friend or loved one. Not everyone is a trained professional when it comes to this though, so it’s important to keep some techniques in mind when giving a massage. You don’t want to hurt the recipient who you’re supposed to be helping out. Use the following advice sparingly, and make sure to always check with the person who is getting the massage if it’s too much for them.

Most people like to get a back massage so let’s talk about how you do it. Have the recipient lay face down on a bed or table that is comfortable. Put a little bit of massage oil lubricant on their back, and rub down their back with both hands. Use a firm, yet gentle approach, then rub your hands back up towards the neck. Use kneading movements near the top of the shoulders, mid back and buttocks area to loosen tight muscles. You can work out knots or troublesome hard areas of the back, neck or shoulders using your thumbs or fingers. Try circular movements on the back which also can be relaxing.

Make sure to go easy when giving someone a massage as you want to help them relieve stress and muscle tension, rather than hurt them. Most massage experts or professionals will tell you to use your feet positioning for more power while applying your hands to the back for a rubdown. Of course many people like to say they give great massages, and while that may be true, nothing will beat the work done by a true massage professional.

In applying holistic healing to your life, you must take a holistic approach in treatment of problematic imbalances. Holistic products are also using when you want a balanced life. The difference between alternative medicine and holistic medicine is that focusing on your physical health is not the main point.

Essential oils play a large role in holistic living. Here we will discuss the many different aspects of essential oils.

An essential oil classified as a carrier oil is an all natural method of aromatherapy. These oils are organic and can be used topically. How you ration the oil depends on your application method of choice.

Let’s look at synergy oil. This oil has 90% essential oil within it and only 10% of carrier oil. Massage oils contain synergy oils in them. Most of these synergy oils are applied very sparingly. Only the massage oil is applied more heavily.

There are different body cleansers that remove waste from your body by use of negative and positive electrical current. You soak your feet in water with an ionizer for about 30 minutes. The water changes color depending on how many toxins are in your body.

With this process, your body rids itself of wastes accumulated due to high stress levels and poor diets. These ions enter into your body and these acids are then neutralized in the process. This is called reverse osmosis.

Using an aromatherapy facial packed with essential oils, use of herbal cleansers, toners, moisturizers help your skin tremendously. Always use products that are all natural.

Here is a list of essential oils and their many uses in dealing with emotions:

• For anger, use Vetiver, Ylang Ylang, Roman Chamomile, Patchouli, Petit grain, Neroli, Orange, Bergamot, and Jasmine.
• For anxiety use Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rose, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Frankincense, Mandarin, Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium, Bergamot, and Cedar wood.
• To boost self confidence use Jasmine, Rosemary, Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Cypress, and Bay.
• To aid in depression use Lemon, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Geranium, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Frankincense, and Grapefruit.
• To fight fatigue and exhaustion use Vetiver, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Rosemary, Lemon, Peppermint, Patchouli, Helichrysum, Ginger, Grapefruit, Cypress, Frankincense, Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, and Clary Sage.
• To conquer fear use Vetiver, Orange, Roman Chamomile, Sandalwood, Neroli, Lemon, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Lemon, Neroli, Sandalwood, and chamomile.
• To help get over grief use Vetiver, Neroli, Sandalwood, Rose, Helichrysum, Frankincense, and Cypress.
• For happiness and peace use Ylang Ylang, Rose, Sandalwood, Orange, Neroli, Lemon, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Frankincense, and Geranium.
• To help with insecurity try Vetiver, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Sandalwood.
• To ease irritability use Sandalwood, Roman Chamomile, Neroli, Lavender and Mandarin.
• To ease loneliness use Rose, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, and Bergamot.

There are so many uses for these essential oils. For each specific problem, you are sure to be able to find an oil which will ease the problem. Inhaling these healthful essential oils helps the body feel good all over. These oils should be a way of life, in maintaining your overall health.