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[M299]Massage For Stress Relief

by Stephanie Macintosh, Ste

While the practice of therapeutic massage has been used for centuries in the east, it is a relatively recent phenomenon here in the west. While the wonders of modern medicine have left many awestruck, more and more people are looking towards complimentary therapies and non-invasive treatments for their ailments. Massage therapy has never been as popular as it is today in America.

A number of studies have shown that massage therapy is a highly effective stress reduction technique. An earlier study, conducted by the University of Miami Medical School and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, suggested that children receiving 30 minutes of therapeutic massage daily were less depressed and anxious than they were at the time of their admittance.

This particular study also observed marked differences in the health and behavior of the children in the test group, over the children in the control group. The nurses taking part in the study also noted that the children were more cooperative, and were able to achieve a higher level of sleep quality. On the biological level, the children in the control group exhibited lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their saliva and in their urine. It quickly became evident to researchers that massage can play a significant role in stress reduction.

It is highly encouraging that both the medical establishment and the general public are starting to realize the impact that stress can have on an individual's health and well being. Some physicians and researchers have suggested that stress is responsible for over 75% of all disease in the western world, including skin disorders, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive ailments, muscle pain, and depression. By employing the age-old techniques of massage therapy, there exists the distinct possibility of overcoming these terrible afflictions.

The eminent Victorian physician, Dr. Stretch Dowse, noted the following back in 1887: "The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating and, even despondent state, becomes after massage, calm, quiet, peaceful and subdued; in fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed." While modern medicine is full of promise in certain areas, it is not wise to ignore the knowledge and insights of the past. Massage therapy has helped countless people cope with the stress of modern life. It could help you, too.

After studying the art of meditation and relaxation for the past 20 years I have come to the conclusion that there is a meditation technique that will work for everyone, despite the fact that many people have given up on learning to meditate because they were unable to sit still or shut their mind off.

The secret is to keep looking for a the meditation technique that works for you. Let's look at little closer at the two different kinds of meditations I spoke of earlier.

Meditation as a Stress Relief Exercise

Passive meditation techniques are those that require nothing more than for you to sit down, close your eyes and either listen to a recorded visualization or use your mind to focus on something that is supposed to help your mind relax and slow down.

Active meditation techniques are for people who really find it hard to relax and unwind from the day. They work best for people whose minds are very active and who find sitting still for more than a few minutes about as easy as watching grass grow.

Before we talk more about active meditations let's look at some of the reasons why meditation is so good for you.

Natural Stress Relief Through Meditation

Meditation is scientifically proven to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, change brain wave functions and reduce stress and tension in your body. It is a convenient, practical and relaxing way to take time-out from your usual hectic and demanding routines.

The purpose of meditation is to slow down your brainwaves. As this happens your body starts to relax. This is exactly the same process that occurs when you fall asleep. The deeper you sleep, the slower your brainwaves. This is what allows your body to detoxify from the day's activities wake up feeling refreshed and recharged.

You can also get the same benefit from a 20 minute meditation. Meditation is a natural way to slow down your brainwaves and trick your body into believing it has had a good nights sleep even though it hasn't. The result of 20 minutes of a deep meditative state is exactly the same as when you wake up in the morning ? refreshed and recharged.

To Your Great Health and Life

Article Source : Massage Service

About Author

Both Stephanie Macintosh & Michael Atma are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Stephanie Macintosh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Massage. . Stephanie Macintosh's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.

Michael Atma has sinced written about articles on various topics from Stress Management, Sleep Disorders and Anxiety. Michael Atma had helped thousands of people to enjoy the benefits of that meditation brings. Michael has created the ultimate resource wh. Michael Atma's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.