Next in our series on massages, we bring to you the umpteen benefits of this ancient therapy.

Massages to the rescue

Gone are the days when massage was considered a luxury. Over the years, massage therapy has evolved to become a recreation that provides relaxation and rejuvenation.

Massage therapy is an ancient art that has been in use in China and Egypt for healing a variety of ailments. Its benefits are not only limited to treating physical ailments but are also known to soothe the mind.

The revival of this ancient art in recent times establishes its effectiveness in achieving overall wellness.

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An expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) says massage therapy can lower blood pressure, help prevent colds, enhance skin tone and more.

Licensed Massage Therapist Arnold Kelly, who provides massage therapy at the Outpatient Physical Therapy Clinic at the UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center, said massage provides two types of benefits: immediate and cumulative.

“Immediately following massage, you can experience reduced tightness in the muscles, improved blood flow and breathing, plus reduced anxiety and stress,” Arnold explained.

“Over the long-term, the benefits of massage accumulate; massage can increase a person’s range of motion, strengthen the immune system and provide an improved sense of well-being,” Arnold added.

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Going through cancer is one of life’s great difficulties. Many strong people make it out of cancer treatment every single day. They do everything in their power to prepare their bodies for the difficult treatment. They also keep a strong mind, reminding themselves about the things that they still need to do on earth.

Many of these people turn to massage therapy to help them through the cancer treatment process. These individuals are dedicated to keeping a strong mental state throughout the process. Massage treatment will not bring an end to cancer. It can, however, help a person manage the difficult stress of treatment.

Keeping a high quality of life
Massage therapy can help cancer patients maintain a high quality of life according to an article in the National Institutes of Health. This article indicates that massage therapy can substantially improve coping mechanisms in cancer patients. A lot of people give up on living when they get cancer. They forget about all of the good things in life. Massage therapy can help cancer patients maintain the high quality of life that they have been accustomed to.

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It’s time to protect your tresses from winter stresses and flaunt beautiful locks this season!

With winter round the corner, your hair has share of troubles. The cold, dry winter and lack of moisture makes your hair extremely frizzy and tangled.

Actress Anushka shares her best-kept secrets to keep your hair lustrous through the chilly winter.

· Massage your hair: A massage with hot coconut oil works wonders as a conditioner and provides the necessary nourishment and moisture to your scalp and hair. It is recommended that you oil your hair every time you wash your hair (at least thrice a week) to regain the moisture.

· Go natural: The use of chemicals during winter will only add to your troubles as they are very harsh on your hair. It is wiser to go for natural remedies to rejuvenate and deeply condition your hair.  You can prepare a home-made hair mask like a mixture of egg and warm coconut oil, which can give your hair the deep conditioning it requires during this season.

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Pain is a common phenomenon irrespective of age, job, food habits, race, etc. Dr Gowthaman analyses the cause, prevention and management of muscular pain while suggesting a holistic approach with Ayurveda medicines and therapies.

Readers from CHENNAI who would like to get a FREE consultation for ayurvedic pain relief can write in to bawarchieditor@sify.com with the following details:

1. Name
2. Age
3. Address
4. Contact number

We will respond with further details within 2 days of receiving your mail. Hurry! Confirm your appointment now.

Causes
Muscle pain is the commonest, affecting all age groups. Pain is related to aggravation of the functional element of the body that is termed as `Vata Dosha`. According to the ancient medical system pain could be due to accumulation of toxins, which in turn leads to obstruction of circulation resulting in pain.

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director of rVita, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.
This week’s answers:

1. I am recently diagnosed diabetes.please suggest me a diet.i am 37 years old taking medicines morning & evening
Arun prakash
Diet is always personalised. Please consult a diet expert for personalised diet consultation. A holistic approach which heals both body and mind can control Diabetes naturally. More than just medicine, lifestyle change can help. Ayurvedic philosophy aims towards a long and above all healthy life in the sense of a balanced style of living – based on the three pillars of body, mind and soul.

Any course of treatment therefore starts with personalization. This includes not only recording the case history and the current living habits, but also a pulse diagnosis and a physical check-up. In this connection, deciding on the Dosha type according to the Ayurvedic Tri dosha model plays a very important part. After consultation with experts, we have nevertheless decided to list a number of indications and name some disorders that have frequently been alleviated by Ayurvedic treatments.

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From the 5000-year-old Ayurvedic healing tradition of India to being referenced in the writings of Homer, Socrates and Plato, oil massages are not a new idea. Adding warm massage oil to the experience of a massage can be blissfully relaxing and wonderfully comforting, while it rejuvenates your mind and body. Not only does it enhance the relaxing nature of the massage, but it also aids in healing processes. The smooth gliding motion that a massage oil helps to achieve nourishes the skin and helps to dissolve accumulated toxins and stress, which promotes general good health.

How it helps

Tones the muscles along with the whole physiology

Helps to keep the joints flexible

Relieves fatigue, aches and pain in the body

Calms the nerves

Increases circulation

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Love going for that occasional massage appointment in the nearest spa? Well, now there is a reason to increase the frequency of your visit to the massage parlour – it actually boosts your immune system.

Researchers in Cedars-Sinai’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences have found that people who go for massage experience measureable changes in their body’s immune and endocrine response.

Click here to know more

Also see: Self help for massage

Image: Wikimedia Commons