Health Articles

This well-famed alternative and complementary type of medicine known as reflexologist was already being established way back then. Indeed it had made its line of antiquity. It was performed in various countries before with the same belief that the process can induce a healing power. It could be stipulated that this is repeatedly practiced for more than a thousand of years. There are also people who have leaded the way, developed and erected a firm groundwork for the alternative science of reflexology as we have acknowledged in the present day.

Time line of reflexology

Have you ever wondered where the alternative science of reflexology even started? Have you yet asked how it was discovered and how it was laid into practice? Have you queried how it was popularized?

An evidence of its root is being stipulated in the discovery of the Egyptian tomb way back 2300 B.C. During those times, reflexology is being practiced in the way of massaging, stimulating, touching and applying pressure on the feet. This practice was seen through an image in a physician’s tomb. The evidences were seen and proven real in the inscriptions located in the physician’s tomb. It was purely hieroglyphics that when decoded is says, “Do not hurt me”. And the retort of the medical practitioner was, “I shall act so you praise me.”

Chinese men has also been practicing this maneuver even before. They believe that there are blockages in the human body that impedes the free flow of energy that gives vigor to life. Their remedy is reflexology.

In recent times, researches and studies concerning the scientific foundation of reflexology started in the 1990’s mutually in Europe together with Russia. The famous Ivan Pavlov was granted with a Nobel award due to his discovery on the science behind reflex remedy. He discovered that any pressure or stimulus on a certain body area can influence the vigor of another. He further contended that there is a common connection between the function of the brain and organs internally. Pavlov’s discovery gave birth to another theory of a great weight on science. It is said that there are messages being radiated from the brain towards the body organs that could lead to a dysfunction or impediment in the vigor and health of an individual.

How “Reflexology” Came to Existence?

• Another theorist, Vladimir Bekterev coined in the term reflexology way back in 1917. This is to improve the practice through the experimentation of different reflex reactions. He contested the fact that there are energy fields in the human body that are being radiated thereby creating specific positive responses on the health when the pressure points are stimulated.
• In the United States of America, the fame of reflexology is owed to Eunice Ingham. She is a good psychotherapist in the period of 1950s. Due to the fact that they were devoid of formal schooling and licensing to be able to perform this complementary alternative medicine, queries have been boiled up asking the issue of whether or not reflexology is a legitimate and scientifically approved method of healing.

In these modern days, reflexologist could be found to render massage and acupressure services. They are employed in spas, wellness and health care centers as well as hospitals and small clinics. Indeed, with reflexology, one can achieve full relaxation with an addition of a bunch of health benefits to improve your vigor and strength.

Do you have a terrible ache between your shoulder blades? Many people suffer from upper back pain. Thin muscles in your back called rhomboids run from your spine to your scapula or shoulder blades. These muscles help hold your scapula to your back and help you keep your back straight.

In our bodies, we have opposing muscles. Opposing muscle act against each other working together to help keep your body aligned. The opposing muscles to your rhomboids are your pectoral muscles. Your pectoral muscles are strong, thick muscles that have a tendency to become short and tight pulling your shoulders forward, rounding your upper back and stretching out your rhomboids. When your rhomboids are stretched tightly the fibers restrict blood flow causing upper back pain.

In order to massage yourself to get rid of this pain try massaging your pectoral muscles. Pectoral muscles are located in the your chest. The muscle you’ll be able to focus on is the pectoralis major. The pectoralis major runs across the chest starting at the clavicle or collarbone and running down the sternum. Then it runs across the chest and attaches to the upper arm. Loosening this tight muscle will allow your rhomboids to become un-stretched and return to their original state allowing blood to flow freely in the muscle.

• Start by using your opposite hand to massage your chest just under your clavicle. Use the pads of your fingers to make small firm circular strokes. Do this three times starting from the outer edge of the clavicle and massaging all the way across to your sternum.

• Now starting at your sternum use the pads of your fingers to massage across the pectoralis major. Start at the sternum and glide across to the attachment point in the upper arm using firm pressure. You can simply glide across the muscle or make small circles. If you are a woman you shouldn’t use firm pressure to massage breast tissue. Instead of going all the way across the chest massage from the sternum and stop at about one to two inches from the sternum where breast tissue begins. Do this about three times down the length of the sternum.

• Now that you’ve loosened up that area let’s move on to the attachment point. If you put your opposite hand in your armpit close to your ribcage you can feel where the pectoralis major runs from your chest to your upper arm. Grab that area of muscle, squeeze it between your thumb and fingers while pulling it slightly. Don’t put your hand way up in your armpit and massage because this area is quite sensitive and has a lot of important nerves that are close to the surface.

Repeat this massage on the opposite side.

• Once you’ve completed the massage stretch your chest muscles out by placing your arms at right angles on a door frame and leaning forward for a nice even stretch.

Keeping your muscles balanced will help eliminate your upper back pain for good.

Many people think that going to get a massage is a great luxury. Maybe it’s because getting one often requires we take time out of our busy schedules. However, you and your spouse learn how to give great body massages, then getting a massage will be as easy as taking turns or showing some extra care and affection.

Let’s focus on the back and shoulders. Follow these steps.

• Make the person lie on their stomach.
• Heat the oil with a small essential oil burner then wait for it to cool a little before using. If you don’t have a burner, though, just put some oil on your pal and rub your hands together.
• Start by spreading the oil all over the person’s back and shoulders. This preps them for the massage. When you do this, apply a little pressure with your hands.
• Place one hand on either shoulder. Gently rub the shoulder using your thumb and fingers, like you’re squeezing the shoulders. Do this for five minutes.
• Keep your left hand on the person’s left shoulder. Place your right hand at the bottom of the right side of the person’s back and slowly knead the person’s back in an outward but upward motion. Be sure to slowly move up the back as you do this. Then to the same with the left side. Do this for five minutes on either side.
• Do a final rub down of the entire back by taking both hands, placing them on the lower back and rubbing upwards while applying pressure with your palms or knuckles.
• End the massage by giving the upper arms a few quick squeezes.

At the end of the steps, the person should feel calm, relaxed, and much better. A back rub is one of the best ways to relieve stress after a long day at work or after strenuous manual labor. Just remember that you shouldn’t give a person a massage every day. Not only will it spoil them, but you will find that your fingers and hands will get tired often because you aren’t a professional and haven’t trained.

Knowing how to give great body massages is an incredibly useful trick to have up your sleeve. You never know when you will need it to help de-stress your spouse, or when you simply need to help soothe and relieve the pain of a friend or family member.

How Massage Therapy Can Help You в Massage Massage therapy has been around for many years in many countries around the world. While some have been quick to embrace it others have just started to understand and accept the benefits that are associated with therapy. Many people find therapy very beneficial in handling conditions such as chronic muscle and joint pain, chronic fatigue, anxiety, allergies, digestive disorders and headaches as well as numerous other medical conditions. These days you will notice, not just people with medical conditions are taking the time to stop and get a massage those who are avid sportsmen and women often use the treatment to help relax and strengthen the muscles. It’s also great to get a massage if you’re just looking for some relaxation. There are various types of clinical massage techniques available to patients these days.

Each country, province or state have requirements for therapist in the area taught to be able to function in a variety of settings such as doctors offices, spas, health clubs, cruise ships today, but just a few of the many places they can be found.

If you have never received a massage before, you may be wondering what to expect. The first time you arrived at an appointment. You will be taken into a room that has a cushioned table with sheets and a blanket on it. The room usually is decorated in soft tones and many rooms will consist of radios or music players that play soft music to encourage relaxation. If you wish not to have music playing just like to therapist know. Most appointments are between 30 and 60 minutes in length. The first time you meet your therapist, he or she will want to get to know a bit about your background such as any health problems you may have and they want to discuss what your expectations session such as pain relief, relaxation etc. At this time. You will probably also discuss how to take care of yourself after you have received your treatment since it will be important to ensure you get plenty of water and rest in order to get the fullest benefit from session After you finish with the questionnaire for therapist will instruct you to lie down on the table and remove your clothing and drape yourself with the sheets provided while he or she is out of the room.

Most massages work best if they are done with direct contact with the skin however, you are only required to remove the clothing that you are comfortable with. Some people are not comfortable with removing any of the clothes, while others are comfortable with removing most or all of their clothing. After a few minutes, your therapist will return to knock on the door to ensure you’re prepared for him or her into the room. Depending on which type of technique, you have opted to receive your session will likely begin with the therapist using oil or lotion to work your muscles. If you feel the pressure you are receiving is too much or not enough it is important to speak out so that the therapist will know what best suits your needs. Just like there are different requirements and techniques available from different massage therapists. If you receive the treatment and you’re not comfortable with it or your therapist keep in mind that no two people have the same technique even if they come from the same course. So consider looking around for new therapist before you call it quits because you might just not have right to found the right person for you yet.