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healingways
acceptance. When, in 1884, skepti-
The Evolution of Massage
cal British physicians alleged that its
practitioners were stealing patients,
Hands-On Healing Power Gains Momentum
the Incorporated Society of Trained
Masseuses formed to legitimize their
approach. They set about creating regu-
by lee walker
lations and establishing a clear practice
model for physical rehabilitation; today
the organization exists as the Chartered
Society of Physiotherapy. Many of the
techniques used by its members still re-
flect treatment practices invented prior
to the society’s inception.
Since the 1970s, renewed interest
in hands-on methods of manipulat-
ing muscles and other soft tissues has
propelled the therapeutic use of touch
into its latest upward growth spiral,
freeing it from the gravitational pull
of another bout of opposition from
mainstream medicine in the early
1930s. Now on an accelerated course,
massage again has the opportunity to
assume a celebrated place in the an-
nals of medicine, just as it did in 1936,
when Dr. Thomas Lathrop Stedman
included it as a “scientific method”
among therapeutics in his Practical
T
he ancient heal-
sage, now the leading
Medical Dictionary.
ing practice of
Ancient Greeks
form of bodywork
Heather Koubek-Jameson, owner
massage therapy
in the United States,
of Yemaya Massage & Wellness Center
is playing an impor-
and Romans were
according to the
in New City, shares, “There are so
tant role today in the
keen on massage.
American Massage
many benefits of massage, starting with
emerging golden age
Association.
increased circulation which promotes
of complementary
Greek gymnasiums
Kneading, tap-
faster healing; maintains or increases
and alternative medi-
included massage
ping and stroking,
our range of motion; promotes more
cine (CAM). Surpris-
the common ances-
supple muscle tone; and reduces risk of
ingly, it remains com-
rooms, and the
tors of the 100-plus
injury. Then there are the psychologi-
paratively underrepre-
practice of massage
techniques used
cal benefits which start with massage
sented in U.S. medi-
by today’s massage
activating the parasympathetic nervous
cal school curricula,
appeared in every
therapists, have
system which is responsible for trig-
while Massage Today
country that
survived two evolu-
gering the brains response to relax and
reports that “Insur-
tionary spirals, but
de-stress. Massage can turn off our
ance reimbursement
was part of the
acceptance of mas-
“fight or flight” response system, which
for massage therapy is
Roman Empire.
sage as a prominent
many of us function on day to day, and
at an all-time high.”
healing tool has not
which debilitates both mind and body
From the time
followed an uninter-
function when utilized for long periods
that Hippocrates, the father of modern
rupted ascent.
of time.”
medicine, introduced the idea that a
Starting in 1800 B.C., when East
Bethany Mutone, who co-owns
physician should be experienced in
Indian ayurvedic massage techniques
Monroe’s Stillpond Massage Therapy
rubbing, massage therapy has moved
were used to maintain mental health
with her husband, Ronnie, explains that
in and out of the traditional medical
and prevent disease, the development
“massage brings about an awareness
models of various cultures. Current
of related healing modalities, such as
of the body that we don’t often have in
practitioners attribute its staying power
Reiki, acupressure, Shiatsu, Canadian
our everyday life. Athletes can recover
to continued awareness of the inherent
deep muscle massage, lomilomi and
more quickly from workouts and com-
healing and therapeutic value of mas-
Swedish massage, generally gained in
petitions because a massage will rid the
 Rockland & Orange Counties www.naturalawakeningsro.com
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