BackMassage Therapy & Qigong Exercise for Longevity
Article submitted by Donna Roberts. Donna Roberts is a licensed massage therapist and she can be reached at 239-287-1655.
Massage as a healing tool has been around since human existence. When you bump yourself, or feel pain, the natural reaction is to rub the area. Essentially you are increasing the blood flow to the area. This helps to heal the tissues, relax restrictions from tight muscles, and stimulates endorphins (our body's natural pain killers).
As we age our body begins to dehydrate. As fluid is reduced the fascia (coating surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments), gets sticky and the muscles become stiff and rigid. Massage increases circulation which lubricates between muscle fibers and allows the muscle to move more optimally. As fluid is re-introduced, the tight muscle softens and regains its flexibility. When circulation increases between the muscle fibers, nutrients re-enter the cells and toxins are carried off more efficiently.
Exercise keeps our muscles toned and lubricated. As we become less active our muscles, tendons, ligaments, shorten changing our posture leaving the body out of balance. This leads to muscle tension, pain, and potential injury. Massage and exercise on a regular basis helps to re-align the posture bringing the body back into balance. This allows you to breathe better providing the flow of oxygen throughout your body to aid with wellness, healing, and increased energy.
Those of you who feel stress and anxiety, regular massage reduce these feelings leaving you with a relaxed serene feeling. As we all know, stress and anxiety lead to many health problems. Pre- surgery massage also helps to reduce your stress and anxiety along with relaxing muscle tension. Post surgery massage relaxes tight muscles, increasing flexability and range of motion. It increases blood flow to the area and most importantly helps to eliminate scar tissue. Post surgery massage on a regular basis will help your healing process. Your massage therapist can communicate with your doctor and physical therapist to ensure optimal healing.
Massage can make a big difference in your healing process after an auto accident. Again your therapist will communicate with your doctors. Many insurances cover massage with a doctor's prescription. Some massage therapists will directly bill your insurance.
In conclusion there are many benefits of receiving Massage and bodywork on a regular basis. A few key points are; Promotes the flow of blood, lymph, and oxygen, Helps to eliminate toxins stored in your muscles, Facilitates tissue healing, Relieves pain, muscle soreness, tension, spasm, and stiffness, Increases range of motion and mobility, Lowers blood pressure, Improves Posture and Balance, Reduces pain and formation of scar tissue following injury or surgery, Enhances immune system, Provides relief for auto-immune problems, Relieves headaches, and Enhances relaxation which reduces stress and anxiety.
Qigong exercise has many of the same benefits as massage. What is qigong exercise? Qigong has been used in China for thousands of years. Qi means energy or "blood flow", gong means work. As you practice qigong exercise you will experience the wonderful feeling of your qi energy pulsate from your fingertips, palms and throughout your body. Qigong exercise uses controlled slow deep breathing which brings oxygen in our body for healing. As you practice this breathing, a series of exercises are performed in a very slow controlled relaxed manner. Emphasis is placed on alignment and rotating from the waist. These rotating movements massage internal organs and help resolve many digestive problems. The exercises aid in body alignment, strength and endurance. It helps with balance, co-ordination and bone density. As you float your arms through this energy you learn to feel the qi internally and externally. Qigong exercise is very relaxing and will help you feel more energy, more focused, and peaceful..