WHAT IS IN A MASSAGE?

If there was a button for ‘like’ or ‘hate’ here on this particular article I would  swear that I would record a lot of ‘hits’ on the ‘hate’ button especially from all those who run beauty saloons and spas not leaving out my regular beauty parlour as well because of the alternative that would be mentioned here.

The other day, I was in dire need of a massage for my feet as they were killing me badly in a way so very unlike Luther Vandross killing me softly, my feet were doing the very opposite,. Obviously as a result of stress or fatigue from long standing, walking or whatever. For a long while now, I haven’t had a good foot or body massage.

Sometime ago, after a session at the gym, one of the ladies there said to an instructor “please I need a massage” and my ears went ‘grrrrrng’ standing up like a magic word had been said.

Fair enough, I would own up here and say in that statement, there truly was a magic word and it was none other than ‘massage’. Oh how I love that word!

For me and many others especially hard working women like ‘yours sincerely’, we love not just a quick rub but good pampering every now and then which includes a proper massage of the entire body by a professional at the spas or good ‘Ijaw’ woman’s place which is always by far cheaper and more intensive as the 'Ijaw' women may even leave you completely 'broken'  from all the body pains given the expertise by their blessed hands. How they do it, that I really do not know. Such talents are rare gifts and inspite of all their strong hands, we all really love massages.

Why is that? What is wrong with just rubbing your feet or somebody giving your shoulder or back a quick back rub or if it hurts so badly, take painkillers? Many are more likely to ask. But hey! Let me stop you before you even get such questions popping out. There is nothing as good as a great massage after a hard day’s job. Can I get a witness?

One of the good news is that you can get a good massage even without visiting the spas. There loads of local women who go to homes and offices to give these massages these day for a fee and be assured that these fees are a whole lot less than what obtains in many ‘overly hyped’ saloons and spas.

Even at that, care should still be taken when embarking this ‘massaging’ journey as some of such massages meant for relaxation and healing of body pains and other health issues could lead to more complications if not properly explained.

For example, massage, apart from giving relief from minor regular body pains whilst producing feelings of care and comfort in some cases, studies have demonstrated that massage is also beneficial for persons suffering from stress related insomnia, anxiety, soft tissue strains or injuries, digestive disorders, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, headaches, joint pains amongst others.

Nevertheless, some other studies have also highlighted some risks involved as well as massage may not be beneficial to people who have some medical history which include people who may be suffering from thrombosis, severe osteoporosis, bleeding disorders or even on blood thinning medication, having fractures or burns as well as healing wounds.

This therefore means that massage as ‘sweet’ or magical it sounds to the ears, it should not be taking as a complete replacement for having regular medical checkup and attention as sometimes even people are posed with more serious health issues from having undergone too much pressure from massaging, hence  serious caution should be taken when it comes to massage.