Origins
Massage as a part of Chinese medical treatment goes back about 4,000 years. Written massage textbooks began to appear as early as the fourth century b.c., along with the earliest Chinese medical texts. Massage appears to have developed alongside both therapeutic exercise (qigong) and acupuncture, as it depends on the same understanding of the meridians and the flow of qi in the human body. The type of massage known as qi healing, or curing with external qi, was developed by master teachers of qigong.
Chinese massage therapy provides pain relief from sore and injured muscles. The techniques improve blood flow to areas, which facilitates health and gets rid of lactic acid buildup. The techniques also help produce a calm and relaxing mood. It is a great way for people to rejuvenate and soothe themselves psychologically from stress. Regular massage sessions boost immunity and prevent the body from developing degenerative diseases, which usually involve the muscles, internal organs and bones. According to a study published in the "Archives of Disease in Childhood" in 2012, patients showed significant improvements in their conditions after application of such techniques.
Boosting blood flow and circulation to different pressure points in the body will facilitate healing and hasten recovery. People can revitalize their bodies by going for a 30- to 60-minute massage once or twice a month. A September 2010 study in the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" showed that massage therapy enhances muscle repair and recovery. People who are suffering from problems like hypertension, diabetes, muscular diseases and infection can also speed recovery through Chinese massage techniques. Some approaches can be beneficial for lung problems and heart conditions.
Benefits
Chinese massage is not intended to be an experience of pampering or relaxation. It is a form of deep tissue therapy that conveys the following benefits: speeding the healing of injuries and clearing bruises stimulating blood circulation and regulating the nervous system removing scar tissue easing emotional distress curing some conditions affecting the internal organs increasing flexibility in the joints and improving posture relieving chronic pain maintaining wellness and functioning as a form of preventive care improving athletic performance strengthening the body's resistance to disease. Other benefits include the fact that some forms of Chinese massage do not require extensive training and can be used at home.
