Massage therapy, healing touch are good medicine for the treatment and prevention of chronic disease

As more and more people are discovering, massage therapy and healing touch therapies are proving to be extremely good medicine for treating those with chronic diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, depression, and even circulatory disorders.

There are several good reasons for this, such as the fact that massage therapy helps move lymph fluid around the body and oxygenate organs and tissues. Plus, there's probably something healthy going on in the fact that human touch is taking place. However, there is a widespread belief, especially among the leaders in Western medicine, that massage therapy can't possibly be considered a medical treatment. Most insurance companies still refuse to pay for massage therapies, and few doctors prescribe it, although the number of doctors recommending it has been increasing over the last few years.
 
I believe that massage therapy is shunned by the medical community primarily because it is considered an unsophisticated treatment -- you don't need a medical degree to give someone an effective massage. There's not a lot of equipment involved in massage therapy, it doesn't have a lot of cool technology, and it doesn't require years of training. And thus, it is looked upon as something that is below Western medicine, both by doctors and by many patients.

But all of this is a distortion -- something doesn't have to be complicated or cool to be effective as a
healing treatment. Massage therapy gets to the fundamentals -- that is, the power of human touch, and the spiritual healing potential of one person's hands touching another person's body along with positive healing intent. These are timeless principles of healing that don't require technology to be effective.

Given that massage therapy and therapeutic touch are so effective in helping patients heal themselves, I find it astounding to observe the lack of physical contact between doctors and their patients in clinics and hospitals across the country. Doctors almost seem scared to touch their patients, and in fact, many doctors don't want to be touched, either. This lack of touch keeps everything at a "safe distance" - it makes their interactions non-personal and sterile. It also allows the doctor to keep patients at a distance, where they can perceive them as patients with patient IDs rather than human beings with souls and spirits and emotions. It is this distance -- this chasm between doctors and patients -- that contributes to the lack of effectiveness in modern medicine.

True healers are willing to get involved with their patients in terms of understanding them, seeing the world from their perspective, and even touching them in a healing way with positive intent. That's why our modern physicians are outstanding technicians, but terrible healers. Personally, I would much rather see a massage therapist than a physician, unless I were suffering from sort of radical, acute injury such as an accident in which case, of course, Western doctors and surgeons are the very best in the world. But when it comes to treating chronic disease and maintaining a high degree of health on a regular basis, massage therapy and healing touch offer an outstanding system of healing that I highly recommend.

Use Home Spa Solutions for Aching, Tired and Smelly Feet

Women in particular tend to wear shoes that contribute to foot problems and back trouble, largely as a result of wearing high heels or badly fitting shoes. Many women walk an estimated 15 kilometers a day in the course of activities such as child-care, house-work and shopping without counting additional exercise such as walking, jogging or running on a treadmill. Even feet shod in the most comfortable of high tech runners or health shoes also get tired and need a little pampering - try these relaxing home made rubs and foot baths to control foot odor and help rejuvenate feet.

Rosemary Foot Rub for Aching Feet

3 tablespoons alcohol
1 1/2 cups dried rosemary leaves
1/2 cup massage oil

Pour the alcohol over the leaves and leave in a bowl to infuse for at least a day. Strain into a jar or other container, discard the leaves. Add the oil and mix well.

Rub into your feet yourself, or put your feet up and ask a friend to massage your feet with the solution. A good idea is to take the solution to a masseur and relax while the job gets professionally handled.

Minty Lemon Foot Bath

Pieces of lemon, chopped up (1 or 2 lemons)
A few drops of lemon essential oil
Half a cup of sea salt
1/4 cup roughly chopped mint leaves

Mix all ingredients into hot water. Wait till it cools to a bearable temperature and soak feet in the foot bath for 15 to 20 minutes. Pat feet dry.

Sandalwood Herbal Foot SPA Bath

5 liters water
2 drops sandalwood essential oil
1/4 cup Epsom salt
Boil water and allow to cool. Add sandalwood oil and epsom salts. Soak feet in this wonderful foot bath for as long as desired.

Foot Bath for Smelly Feet

2 cups water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh or dried thyme
2 tablespoons fresh or dried mint

Allow ingredients to simmer in a pan - pour into a bowl and allow to cool until bearable. Soak feet in the bath and relax.

Frozen Water Bottle Cure for Feet Pain

Freeze a bottle of water, then wrap it in a towel. Take shoes off and roll the bottle with the foot. This is an excellent exercise for fallen arches and exhausted feet.

Foot pain can be a reminder that feet are being neglected. Corns, ingrown toenails, fallen arches, bunions, poor circulation and athlete's foot are a few of the more common reminders besides day-to-day problems such as foot odor. Before the time comes to keep a podiatrist in business, take the time to look after those hard working feet.

Foot Reflexology Massage Relieves Stress and Back Pain

Reflexology is the exerting of pressure on targeted areas of the feet (or hands) using the acupressure points found on a reflexology foot chart. The art is said to have originated in the lands of China, Egypt and India and has its basis in the belief that reflex points on the soles of the feet correspond to the various organs and parts of the body. For example, the inner edge of the foot has points relating to the spine and back, while the eyes, ears and sinuses are represented on the pads of the toes. Reflexologists believe that it is possible to restore health to the body by massaging these points.

Reflexology and Back Pain

Many people complain of back pain that ranges from niggling discomfort to chronic conditions. Mostly, this is not the result of injury or trauma. Less exercise, hard physical work and a generally sedentary lifestyle for many have contributed to the segments of the population who are virtually crippled with back problems. According to the World Health Organization, lower back pain is a leading cause of disability in the world.

The first step in addressing back problems through reflexology is to find a qualified reflexologist who will use specific techniques to exert deep pressure on the foot area corresponding with the specific back problem. This may be painful and several sessions may be required before the condition improves. Sore points are often the most important ones to work on, since they represent places where energy is blocked. A gentle spa type massage is probably not going to help much, pleasant as it may be.

Reflexology and Stress

Stress is sometimes referred to as a "silent killer". Stress is virtually considered as a normal condition in today's society. Road rage, family violence and outbursts can often be put down to stress at work or because of the fast pace of life these days. Reflexologists believe that a balance of mind-body-spirit is fundamental to well-being. Modern lifestyles tend to be more insular; the support once offered by a large, extended family is no longer available to many. The positive effect of therapeutic touch is recognized as being fundamental to a feeling of well-being.

A session with a reflexologist to alleviate stress is a drug-free, non-invasive way of reducing tension. To help the patient to relax, a practitioner may use some kind of aromatherapy massage oil or essential oil as part of the treatment. It is believed to encourage the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good hormones, well documented in their ability to relieve stress.

What to Expect from a Foot Reflexology Session

Reflexology is not a cure-all and may not help when there are serious underlying medical conditions. But it can reduce symptoms and aid in healing by improving lymphatic drainage and circulation, stimulation to the nerve pathways and muscle relaxation. Exercise, such as swimming or walking regularly, can aid in reducing back problems by strengthening back muscles and can also help to alleviate or reduce stress.

Scalp Massages Relax and Stimulate

In many cultures, head massage has been practiced for hundreds of years as a therapy to reduce stress and tension. Massaging the scalp can relieve migraine headache pain and even encourage hair growth by stimulating blood supply to the scalp. It rejuvenates the spirits, improves mental alertness and increases circulation to the face, head, neck and shoulders.

What is Indian Head Massage?

Many people spend hours of each day hunched over a computer screen or sitting in the traffic, risking chronic nerve damage to their necks and shoulders. Poor posture and long working hours without adequate breaks can worsen muscle pain. A head massage usually includes a massage of the neck, back, shoulders and scalp, thus relieving pain and tension in these areas.

The people of India have incorporated head massage as part of a holistic medicine for generations.
Traditionally, an Indian head masseur would begin by balancing one's healing energy in a step called "chakra balancing" in order to encourage positive feelings. He or she would then massage the upper back, shoulders and neck and thereafter progress to massaging the scalp and temples in a gentle, circular motion.

A head massage should take at least 45 minutes to complete. A scalp massage that is too hard can cause a headache or even more tension, so make sure your therapist knows if you want a light, medium or deep massage.

Oils for Head Massage

Traditionally, oils such as bhringaraj, brahmi, or amla oils are used for scalp massage. These oils are derived from plants and herbs that Indians have valued for their medicinal properties for thousands of years.

Coconut oil is also widely used by therapists for head massage and can be left in the hair for awhile to provide a rich conditioning treatment. Sesame oil is a commonly used for Indian head massage because of its mild odor.

Carrier oils such as jojoba or sweet almond can be blended with essential oils of choice. For example, a few drops of ylang ylang blended with a few drops of carrier oil may be used to help one unwind and relax, while peppermint oil will have a more energizing effect. Discuss oil blends with your massage therapist before starting.

Bear in mind that oils applied to the scalp can be difficult to remove from the hair. It may be necessary to wash hair two or three times with a good quality, natural shampoo in order to remove the oil completely. Wash gently, using lukewarm water. Avoid using cold or very hot water directly on oiled hair.

Drink plenty of water to flush the body of toxins after a head massage.