Health Listings

Aromatherapy and massage therapy listings

Massage is the targetted manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or a number of related terms. Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure. This can be structured or unstructured, static or dynamic. It may be applied manually or with mechanical aids.

The targetted tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet.

Writings on massage have been found in many ancient civilizations including Rome, Greece, India, Japan, China, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Hippocrates wrote in 460 BC that "The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing". The Ancient Chinese book called Huangdi Neijing by the Yellow Emperor recommended "massage of skin and flesh". One of the bas reliefs decorating the temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, dated circa 1150, depicts a demon performing an abortion upon a woman through pressure to the pregnant abdomen. This is believed to be the oldest known visual representation of abortion. In Romania some illnesses were treated by a massage in which the client was trodden on by a tame bear.

There are a great many variations of massage, including commonly known techniques such as Swedish Massage, Thai Massage and Shiatsu Message, as well as less mainstream techniques such as Myofascial release massage which is related to Osteopathy. With some forms of massage, such as aromatherapy, the primary goal is to promote overall wellbeing and relaxation.

The listings below are of independent practitioners.