Perspectives on MassageIn ancient Greece, mornings began with a body care session involving bathing, exercising and vigorous rubdowns with oil. These rubdowns were designed to awaken the nerves, stimulate the circulation, free the action of the joints and keep the skin supple and elastic all day long. They were also used to increase endurance, promote vitality and control fatigue. While the theory and practice are a little more refined these days, in essence they have not changed and more and more people are rediscovering the benefits of massage. Massage can be defined as the manipulation of the soft tissue by means of rubbing, kneading, pressing and percussion techniques, designed to have a beneficial effect not only on the physical, but also on the psychological aspects of a person. Massage is, therefore, by definition, therapeutic. It enhances the circulation of the blood and lymph, thus encouraging the transportation of nutrients in the blood and the elimination of lactic acid and other wastes; it soothes the nervous system; and it helps to mobilise the joints and the skeletal system by diminishing tension in the muscle tissue and by breaking up adhesions in the connective tissue.As well as these obvious physical benefits, massage is therapeutic because it feels good. A skilful massage practitioner recognises the connection between physical relaxation and mental tranquility and actively works towards promoting a feeling of wholesomeness by the release of physical tensions. Massage is a direct physical contact between two human beings, a communication through the medium of touch, bringing pleasure and comfort. With effective massage a person is given the opportunity to relax completely and to receive some very physical pampering. So there is care involved, nurturing, an emotional feeding. The tactile sense is the original sense, the first sense developed by the most ancient, single celled creatures on earth. That tradition has been passed down to us today in the form of skin. The skin is the second most complex organ of the body. Any square inch of skin contains hundreds of sense receptors, fifteen feet of blood vessels and seventy two feet of nerves.
So on the one hand there is a system, a scientific technique which can be taught and learned. And on the other hand there is a direct experience in human contact which by-passes the intellect and goes directly to the feelings. We must remember that within all the techniques of massage we are primarily dealing with the sense of touch and human contact. The paradox of learning massage technique, and the inherent danger, is that your spontaneity, your contact with the sense of touch and your contact with whom you are touching, can all be lost under a mountain of rules and ideas. So learn to protect your spontaneity. There are many ways of approaching massage and an endless variety and combination of strokes. What you are learning is just one very specific approach and sequence which happens to work well and can be applied to a wide range of people and situations. But remember it is not the only method. Rather you should view it as a foundation for further development. Once you become thoroughly familiar with using your hands you will have the basis and confidence to make up your own strokes and sequences and to undertake further explorations in the flow and ebb of feelings.
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