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Gentle massage has many benefits for those with arthritis. Massage therapy can provide pain relief, soothe stiff sore muscles, reduce inflammation and swelling. Massage and gentle stretching help maintain range of motion for your joints.

Massage has been around for thousands of years. It is probably one of man's earliest remedies for pain relief and restoration of the body’s health.

There are over 80 different types of massage therapy and bodywork. Many are variations of each other which have been developed by a practitioner who is trained in one approach, makes modifications, and develops his or her own.

Trigger Point Massage

Ever wonder what can be done to help neck stiffness, carpal tunnel type symptoms, tennis elbow, bursitis, frozen shoulder, back pain and low back stiffness?Find a massage therapist that is skilled with finding and treating trigger points and you just might find immediate relief.

Relaxing Massage Techniques

Massage is rubbing, kneading, tapping or otherwise manipulating the soft body tissue with the hands or with some instrument designed for this purpose. Massage relaxes tense muscles, eases stress, relieves pain and can help you get to sleep.

Top Soothing Massage Devices

Choose from among these relaxing massage and stress relief products to help free yourself of any aches and pains you are experiencing.

What is massage?

Massage is rubbing, kneading, tapping or otherwise manipulating the soft body tissue with the hands or with some instrument designed for this purpose. Massage relaxes tense muscles, eases stress, relieves pain and can help you get to sleep.

Where did massage originate?

Like acupuncture, massage therapy originated in China about two thousand years ago. From there it traveled to India and took on a more sensual image. This is where the Hindu Tantric massage originated. It was used to awaken the kundalini or life force believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine.

Massage therapy traveled on across the land to Ancient Greece where it was used as a remedy for many ailments, especially those related to the athletic sports that were so popular.

Even Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, used massage therapy in his practice.
From Greece on to Rome and to Persia. Now the full body massage became popular to loosen stressed muscles, relax nervous tension and increase the circulation of the blood.

Western Europe, and in particular, Sweden, helped to develop the massage as we know it today. Henrik Ling, a Swedish doctor, is recognized as the Father of Modern Massage. Massage therapy is now known as one of the treatments used in holistic healing.
 

Types of massage

There are several types of massage including the Tantric massage mentioned earlier. For this article however, let's just look at some of the massage methods that can benefit those with disorders such as insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Acupressure -

This is acupuncture performed without the use of needles. Instead, it's administered by using the pressure of the fingertips on the pressure points.

Shiatsu -

This is similar to acupressure, but instead of just the fingertips, the pressure m ay be applied using hands, knees, elbows or feet.

Reflexology -

This is also known as zone therapy and is massage using pressure points in the hands and feet.

Swedish massage -

This is the most popular method of massage used today. It involves long strokes, kneading and tapping of the muscles and soft tissue.

Rolfing -

This is a more painful form of massage as it is aimed at the deeper soft tissues of the joints.

Massage Therapists

Ask your doctor, alternative medical adviser or someone in the local health club where to find a trained massage therapist. Or contact the American Massage Therapy Association to find one in your area. If all else fails, ask someone you love to give you a back rub. You'll be glad you did.
 

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