Care of the body and relaxation of the mind through massage is an ancient art, with its value proven over centuries for dispelling the cares and tensions of daily life. The earliest mention of massage appears in a Chinese medical book dating from about 2700 B.C.

It was widely appreciated in Roman times where it was incorporated into a daily routine for keeping the body fit and healthy. In recent times, the study of massage has become more scientific, with the different movements studied for their effects on vascular,lymphatic and muscular systems of the body.

In 1813, the Royal Central Institute was established in Stockholm,Sweden and from the Institute came most of the systems of general massage known as Swedish.

The difference between holistic massage and conventional massage is that the former integrates newer ideas of holistic health with long established techniques of massage.
Holistic Massage creates the circumstances which allow the healing process to begin.


Benefits of Holistic Massage

• Muscular tensions will be reduced and toxins in muscles can be disposed of much quicker.



• Massage prepares the muscular system for both activity and rest.



• Massage relieves stresses within the digestive system. Peristalsis will be stimulated.



• The nervous system will be soothed, tired nerves will be helped to rest.



• The blood circulation will be stimulated and thus the supply of each cell within the body with nutrients will improve.



• Massage stimulates the Lymphatic circulation and thus improves the immune system.



• Tensions in the chest, shoulders and abdomen will be eliminated so that the respiratory system and its functioning will improve.



• Respiratory massage helps with emotional adjustments. Unexpressed emotions are often contained in hypertonic muscles.



• Especially shoulder and neck muscles are a reservoir of dysfunctional tension. Massage dissipates tension and frees muscles.



• Relaxation of the body will induce a relaxation of the mind, i.e. toxins and stress hormones in the blood will be reduced and even mental processes will therefore undergo a healing process.



• Massage generally improves the body's energy level. The patient will feel not only calmer and relaxed but will also have more energy.



• Other conditions that respond well to massage are backache, high blood pressure, insomnia, arthritis, migraine, asthma, constipation, poor posture, depression, cellulite. In fact, it can speed up healing of nearly any illness as stress has been shown to slow down the healing process.