The origins of massage date back thousands of years, it really is the oldest therapy in the world. The use of scented oils to heal, relax and calm the body dates as far back as the civilizations of ancient Greece and Egypt, and today different forms of massage have become popular in the treatment of everything from hair loss and skin problems to anxiety and tension. No does massage necessarily mean spending lots of time and money on professional treatments. Everybody can learn the basics of different massage techniques, after all, in China, Japan, and India massage has been recognized as a home therapy for centuries, that members of a family practice one another to stay fit and healthy, as well as to treat minor aches, pains, and illnesses. Anyone can master the skills of massage and practice it amongst friends and family. Scalp massage alone stimulates blood flow and is great for hair and for migraine relief – HairGuard gives a comprehensive guide on how to do the scalp massage.
The very simplest massage method comes from China and is based on the guiding rules of acupuncture, except that you use your fingers instead of needles. Acupressure (or shiatsu as it is called in Japan) works by stimulating the body’s reflex points – there are over 800 dotted around the body – and so improving the flow of energy and circulation in specific parts of the body, as well as eliminating muscular tension. The feet have a particularly dense collection of reflex points which connect to every area in the rest of the body, and therefore, the soles, sides, tops and toes of the feet should always get a lot of attention in any acupressure treatment. By looking at a person’s facial expression while you are massaging their feet, you can tell a lot about what is wrong with them, as each point on the foot corresponds to an organ or area of the body.
The face is also is covered in different points, which you can treat more specifically to banish colds, headaches, sore eyes and itchiness. The hands contain many important critical reflex zones such as the hoku point that controls pain relief. Dentists and doctors who use acupuncture always stimulate this point to prevent a patient feeling discomfort and pressing this area often give fast and total relief for migraines.