A Brief History of Massage
Massage is considered to be among the oldest of all treatments used by man. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years documented its use. The ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians used forms of massage for some ailments and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today, massage is an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs and has proven beneficial to many chronic conditions such as low back pain, arthritis and bursitis. Massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living.

Can Massage Therapy Benefit Me?
Massage provides relief to people from all walks of life-the weekend or competitive athlete, the home gardener, the overstressed executive struggling to keep pace in today's economy. Secretaries, laborers, waitresses-anyone can feel a need for massage at some point in time. The older population, as well, will benefit from massage, as it enhances flexibility and circulation. The bedridden can also be helped in this regard. There are some conditions where massage is not recommended, however. Your practitioner should ask for information regarding any specific health conditions from which you may be suffering in order to determine if massage, bodywork or somatic therapies are contraindicated. In some cases, the practitioner may need your doctor's permission before providing services.

Taking Care of Yourself
Care of your body should be at the top of your priority list. You will feel and look better if you take the necessary steps regarding health and nutrition in this age of increased longevity. Stress relief alone can improve your vitality and state of mind. Massage, bodywork and somatic therapies could play an important role in your life.

Massage for Pain & Emotional Problems
With many chronic ailments, massage can relieve the pain and help heal. As with physical problems, emotional problems may also be stimulated into self-healing with massage. In many cases, this helps eliminate the need to take harmful chemical drugs, which will unnecessarily burden the liver, kidneys and other vital organs.