We've all heard of
massage and many of us have even experienced it, in one form or another. By a masseuse who happened to be an amature, loved one or
professional. If the person knew what they were doing, you came away feeling like a million bucks. But what is
massage, really!
Massage or
massage therapy as it has come to be known in our time, began with the ancient
Egyptians, then the
Greeks and finally the
Romans. Yes these ancient cultures used
massage therapy for both healing and pleasure. The science of
massage therapy had also spread to other early cultures such as India, China and Japan. The last three went further by integrating it to form an integral part of their systems of
medicine and healing.
Massage is the organized form of touch. It is performed by the hands, elbows and forearms gliding over the skin and applying pressure to the underlying muscles by a system of movements. These movements involve stroking, rubbing, pressing and kneading.
Massage is not a panacea, but can greatly aid in the normal functions of the body and restore balance as well.
How Massage WorksMassage works by the body responding to the various touch techniques given to it. These touch techniques causes the body to engage in there normal functions.
Massage itself, acts like a natural stimuli for the body to respond with positive effects in many different ways. Some of these therapeutic effects are, stimulating the circulation of the blood and lymph, loosening of muscular tension, toning and firming the muscles.
When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone. The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles.
Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions.
Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Because the appearance of the skin, is usually a good indicator of a persons inner condition. In reference to muscles,
massage therapy has a good effect on the fibrous tissue surrounding the joints.
The effects of
massage upon the autonomic nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin, signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. When a person is relaxed, abdominal breathing becomes more natural. I can assure you, your abdominal organs appreciate this. It's quite clear that the nervous system plays a crucial role in
massage therapy. It's also responsible for the vascular system, since it controls it. A decrease in efficient drainage and supply of blood, is caused by a reduction of vascular.
Massage works by reducing stress, managing the body's waste products, fostering normal bodily functions, providing a sense of well being and boosting
mental health.
The Logic of MassageThe gradual development of
massage therapy into a full blown art and science can be determined as only logical. When we fall, bruise or sustain any sort of physical injury, we usually tend to touch it. Even if that act produces no form of healing solution, or does it? Touch in itself is very comforting to us. It reassures us, make us feel loved and accepted. Whenever someone is in pain, we tend to want to hug, hold or touch that person in someway. Somehow sensing that the very act of physical contact will contribute to the overall holistic
health of the person. Guess what? You are correct in that assumption.
Studies have shown that, touching among other comforting and intimate contact, does assist in the overall recovery and health of a person. Whether that person is in need of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing or comfort. In looking at the big picture, I see
massage therapy continuing to play an important role in human history for a long time to come. What are you waiting for, join the minions.
We've all heard of
massage and many of us have even experienced it, in one form or another. By a masseuse who happened to be an
amature, loved one or
professional. If the person knew what they were doing, you came away feeling like a million bucks. But what is
massage, really!
Massage or
massage therapy as it has come to be known in our time, began with the ancient
Egyptians, then the
Greeks and finally the
Romans. Yes these ancient cultures used massage therapy for both healing and pleasure. The science of massage therapy had also spread to other early cultures such as India, China and Japan. The last three went further by integrating it to form an integral part of their systems of
medicine and
healing.
Massage is the organized form of touch. It is performed by the hands, elbows and forearms gliding over the skin and applying pressure to the underlying muscles by a system of movements. These movements involve stroking, rubbing, pressing and kneading. Massage is not a panacea, but can greatly aid in the normal functions of the body and restore balance as well.
How Massage WorksMassage works by the body responding to the various touch techniques given to it. These touch techniques causes the body to engage in there normal functions. Massage itself, acts like a natural stimuli for the body to respond with positive effects in many different ways. Some of these therapeutic effects are, stimulating the circulation of the blood and lymph, loosening of muscular tension, toning and firming the muscles.
When fibers stop sliding over each other easily, it's most likely the cause of people not getting enough exercise, too much exercise, physical or mental tension. These factors cause the drop of any increase in muscle tone. The waste products from muscular activity, like carbon dioxide, lactic acid and urea, build up in the muscles.
Massage therapy fosters drainage of those wastes, therefore restoring there normal functions.
Massage therapy also fosters the drainage of lymph, causing better circulation of the blood. Because of this, the skin looks much better than if drainage was difficult. Why bother with the how the skin looks? Because the appearance of the skin, is usually a good indicator of a persons inner condition. In reference to muscles,
massage therapy has a good effect on the fibrous tissue surrounding the joints.
The effects of
massage upon the autonomic nervous system gives birth to the feeling of relaxation. How? By stimulating the sensory nerve endings located within the skin, signals are sent to the brain by the central nervous system. This in turn produces the experience of feeling good. Once again because of this action, a new reaction takes place by causing a significant reduction in the body's stress level. When a person is relaxed, abdominal breathing becomes more natural. I can assure you, your abdominal organs appreciate this. It's quite clear that the nervous system plays a crucial role in massage therapy. It's also responsible for the vascular system, since it controls it. A decrease in efficient drainage and supply of blood, is caused by a reduction of vascular.
Massage works by reducing stress, managing the body's waste products, fostering normal bodily functions, providing a sense of well being and boosting
mental health.
The Logic of MassageThe gradual development of
massage therapy into a full blown art and science can be determined as only logical. When we fall, bruise or sustain any sort of physical injury, we usually tend to touch it. Even if that act produces no form of healing solution, or does it? Touch in itself is very comforting to us. It reassures us, make us feel loved and accepted. Whenever someone is in pain, we tend to want to hug, hold or touch that person in someway. Somehow sensing that the very act of physical contact will contribute to the overall holistic health of the person. Guess what? You are correct in that assumption.
Studies have shown that, touching among other comforting and intimate contact, does assist in the overall recovery and health of a person. Whether that person is in need of physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing or comfort. In looking at the big picture, I see massage therapy continuing to play an important role in human
history for a long time to come. What are you waiting for, join the minions.
Your health is your most valuable asset, and must be protected. Alternative health supplements can help you do this. Made from herbs and other natural components, these supplements have enabled millions of users to rejuvenate their health and quality of life.
In the present fast-paced world, problems like high blood pressure, stress and tension occur at a very early age. As an aftermath of these, one not only faces physical strain but also loss in terms of beauty and performance. Alternative health supplements offer a natural way of keeping all these ailments at bay, in an extremely easy manner. Harnessing the therapeutic qualities of herbs and natural extracts, these supplements come in form of pills, capsules, syrups or powders and offer simple, healthy therapy.
The concept of shedding those extra pounds by simply popping a pill, or looking younger by simply drinking a syrup, has revolutionized the medicinal world. Health-conscious people are buying these supplements in large numbers. With no time to indulge in traditional therapies, these supplements are becoming an ideal option for people yearning for a healthier life style.
Alternative health supplements are available in varying compositions for different applications, age groups and sexes. Though there is evidence that they are harmless, it is still wise to consult a doctor before you take them. Some of the advantages of alternative supplements include their effectiveness, natural ingredients, lack of side effects and ease of use.
These supplements are largely sold over the Internet. Products sold online come with various discount offers and schemes to lure customers. Giving unprecedented impetus to the medicinal world, these supplements are increasingly become a part of everyday life.
Weight loss is one of the big topics-no pun intended-on the late night
television circuit. While flipping through the channels after 11p.m., you are likely to come across several advertisements for w
eight loss pills and
diet supplements, each promising to assist you drop those unwanted pounds and remove stubborn belly fat once and for all.
Let's
face it, if these pills really worked,
America wouldn't be the top overweight country in the
world.
There are types of
alternative medicine, which can help with weight loss, however, and with great results. While no
alternative medicine is a magic solution, practicing these principles can help you become more limber, feel more energetic, and the end result-or side effect if you will, is
weight loss.
Take
yoga for example. The low impact stretching involved with
yoga will help you feel less stressed, and as a result less likely to over eat as a result of depression or anger.
Acupuncture has exact pressure points in the ear which help reduce cravings, and detoxifying teas and
herbs can help you feel healthier, and the side effect would be thinking twice before deciding that you want to "pollute" yourself again with oily and fatty foods. In this regard, alternative medicine is wonderful for loosing
weight.
The majority
alternative medicines for weight loss come in the form of detoxifying teas, energy supplements, and vitamins. The exercise and
diet plans are the basis, as they should be, for safe and effective long-term weight loss. There is no magic potion to lose weight. In fact dropping pounds and keeping them off requires regular daily exercise and a change in eating habits, period.
However, to get you ready for
weight loss, here are some
alternative medicine detoxifying teas and interesting supplements.
Take turmeric, ginger, and lemon-about a half teaspoon each and the juice of half a lemon, and boil it all in 2 cups of water.
Drink every morning as a detoxifier before you start your
diet.
All
diets should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables, and buying a juicer is a great way to make a habit out of eating
healthy. Please see your doctor before starting any kind of diet plan.
Visit your local food co op or
herbalist, they can get you set up with all sorts of
alternative teas and nutrition advice, and can refer you to a good homeopathic doctor who will evaluate you as to what your individual nutrition needs are.
Bovine and shark cartilage are two dietary supplements to hit the
alternative market. Both have been used for years outside of the
United States and
Britain, but now are big business in the
health food stores.
The most popular form of
alternative medicine for weight loss isn't really medicine at all, rather behavior modification through hypnosis. Hypnosis doesn't make you rely on will power, that's one of the reasons it's so popular.
How hypnosis works is that it examines what is subconsciously holding you to the thinking and eating habits that keep you overweight.
Hypnotists believe that if the root cause of the obesity can be alleviated, the patient will
naturally begin to lose weight. It is actually a very efficient form of
alternative medicine, and overall can cost much less than trips to day spas and expensive over the counter
weight loss pills. Through hypnosis you can let go of fears that keep you from eating
healthy, and begin to allow a positive energy flow through you, causing you to want to stick to the new way of
eating and exercising.
Are you dieting your way to bone loss?Are you aware that the diet you follow may be depleting your bones of essential nutrients and increasing your chances of developing osteoporosis? Popular diets may promise quick weight loss, but calcium and other important nutrients are often missing from the menu, which can lead to bone loss.
And women who consistently limit what they eat to avoid gaining weight may undermine the health of their bones, according to a study by ARS researchers in California. (1)
The study looked at the eating behavior of women between the ages of 18 and 50 and found that those classified as "restrained eaters" had significantly lower bone mineral density and bone mineral content (key indicators of overall bone strength and health) than women who said they weren't concerned about what they ate.
"Exercise and eating a well-balanced diet with adequate calcium, are two of the best ways to keep your bones strong and healthy." advise the researchers.
Calcium is not only good for your bones but can help you maintain a healthy, low fat diet too. There has been increasing media coverage about numerous studies showing that a diet rich in calcium helps reduce body fat.
Why is calcium important in weight loss?
Calcium is a fat burner. High-calcium diets seem to favor burning rather than storing fat. Researchers say this is because calcium stored in fat cells plays an important role in fat storage and breakdown.
Calcium changes the efficiency of weight loss . In fact, study after study has shown that the people with the highest calcium intake overall weighed the least, and the people with the lowest calcium intake had the highest percentage of body fat. (2,3,4)
When overall calorie consumption is accounted for, calcium not only helps keep weight in check, but can be associated specifically with decreases in body fat. A low daily calcium intake is associated with greater tendency to gain weight, particularly in women. (5)
Researchers found that adolescent girls who consumed more calcium weighed less and had less body fat than girls who consumed the same amount of calories from other sources. (6)
Previous studies have shown that a higher calcium intake can block body fat production in adults and preschool children (7), but this was one of the first studies to show that it might have the same effect in body-conscious preteen and teenage girls.
But aren't dairy products fattening?
Some dieters consider dairy products to be fattening, but the evidence suggests the opposite is true.
Consumption of calcium-rich dairy foods can actually help to reduce and prevent obesity. Over 20 recent studies show that milk products actually contribute to weight loss.
A new study in obese adults, presented at the First Annual Nutrition Week Conference, showed that increasing calcium intake by the equivalent of two dairy servings per day could reduce the risk of obesity by as much as 70 percent. (8)
The study provided clinching evidence that calcium in low-fat dairy products can help adjust your body's fat-burning machinery and help keep your weight under control.
In another study, obese subjects placed on a high-calcium diet, with yogurt as the calcium source, showed markedly greater fat loss than those on a low-calcium diet. (9)
Numerous studies have shown that dairy calcium is more effective in reducing body fat than other forms of calcium. (10)
Why does diary calcium work so well?
Researchers believe that other nutrients found in milk products act in synergy with calcium to reduce fat more efficiently.
Glycomacropeptides (found in whey proteins derived from milk) in particular, are known to create feelings of satiety and fullness and decrease food intake. (11,12,13)
Foods that are a good source of calcium include cheese, milk, ice cream, baked beans and other dried legumes, dried figs, broccoli, most dark-green leafy vegetables, and soft fish bones like those in canned salmon.
Disclaimer: If you are under 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan. The information here is not provided by medical professionals and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician before beginning any course of treatment.