Massage therapy is thousands of years old, and it is thought the name originally came from the Arabic word ‘mash’ meaning to press gently, or from the Greek word ‘Massein’ which means to knead. Massage can help promote a sense of wellness and relaxation, lower stress and anxiety levels, and of course it is very good for dealing with aches and pains. A recent study found even a short massage can help boost energy levels.
A massage therapist will use their hands, fingertips, arms or elbows to manipulate muscles, tissues and joints, targeting any injured muscles or areas retaining stress. Sometimes additional props are used, such as hot stones to help induce further relaxation. Massage therapy is often used to compliment traditional medicine, and certain techniques such as acupressure can help improve a variety of conditions including depression and osteoporosis.