History records the prevalence of the full body massage as a regular feature of ancient civilizations – Hellenic, Egyptian, Roman, and Asian. Even then, centuries ago, a massage could not be administered by just anyone. Social historians say that the masseur or masseuse had a status somewhere between a physician and a priest in ancient Egypt. This esteem was well deserved, because the massage requires specialized training to be performed properly and correctly.
There are a number of benefits that a full body massage gives you.
Massage as a therapeutic technique springs from the concept of ‘touch therapy’. This concept says that humans benefit tremendously form being touched. Babies who receive a lot of fondling in the days immediately following their birth are well and healthy. Damaged muscle fibers heal quicker when they are massaged properly. The blood circulation is stimulated by a massage, leading to overall better health and cell development. The lymphatic system, which is closely associated with the circulatory system, is also stimulated. This in turn enhances our immune system. The usual effect of a massage is an invigoratingly restorative one, which means that you get rested in such a wonderful way that you feel fresh and full of pep and energy!
Never had one before? Try it for a wonderful experience!
A well reputed massage parlor will charge you anything from $50 to $100 for a an hour long session. You’ll be led into a private cabin where you’ll be asked to remove your clothes and then lie prone on the massage table. An assistant will cover you with a sheet, not just for the sake of modesty, but actually as a requirement of the massage therapy, since body warmth must be maintained. Only one part will be uncovered at a time, the one which is being massaged. Using special aromatic oils the masseuse will begin the massage, using a variety of manipulative movements of her hands, the main being strokes or gentle kneading or circular movements.
The masseuse will begin at the feet and then continue up to the hips. You’ll feel the massage magic begin to work. Indescribably pleasant, the massage will release the negative tensions from the soles of your feet, your calves, your thighs, and then your hips. You’ll feel a warmth coursing through your veins, sorry, arteries! A warmth which heals away all those ailments, those cricks in the joints, those sore spots in the hams.
Finished with the hips, the massage will proceed upwards over the back, the shoulders, your arms and hands, then get back to the neck and finally finish at your head.
You will feel a wonderful, gentle glow that is completely restorative. Just remember that massage as a therapy must be performed only by trained, licensed massage therapists, who have undergone a rigorous training in physiology. The strokes they use, the pressure to be applied, all this is part of their intense professional syllabus. They must pass a state-approved examination which includes a written portion as well as a practical portion before they are certified as professional massage therapists and licensed for public practice. All this is done to ensure that the recipient of the massage is not harmed in any way. So what are you waiting for?
