Day in, day out, we use our hands. There isn't anything we aren't willing to do that needs to be done to keep the household running. Put away dishes, hammer in a nail, buckle the child in the car seat. Plant the garden, slice the vegetables. Our hands don't get a break. We type, despite the pain of repetitive motion. Sure, lotion will keep our skin from drying out, but what of our muscles, joints? A hand massage can feel good on hands, and cure a plethora of other internal complains.
Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue. Hand massage is done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being, as well as feeling really great on the hands. If you are looking to modern medicine to cure your issues, maybe you are looking in the wrong place. The art of massage dates way back, back to over 3000 years. It has been documented by the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians. They all applied forms of massage for many ailments. Hippocrates even wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. A hand massage can relieve headaches, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, stomach problems and many, many others
Massage therapy became popular in the US in the 1800's and grew in popularity until the 1930's when the development of modern medicine discounted its benefits, and use dwindled. It made a re-appearance in the 1970's when nurses began to use it to alleviate pain in patients. In the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta massage was deemed a core medical service, which gave it great credibility. If it can be used in the Olympics, don't you want it?
There are many words in many languages that give us the word massage. I love studying different languages. It's especially exciting when all cultures have the same word and customs. The word comes from the Latin word "frictio", as well as from the French word meaning "friction or kneading", and the Arabic word "massa" meaning to touch, feel or handle. A hand massage can be done at your local spa, as one itself, or part of a massage package.
The hand, just like the feet, have specific pressure points that affect different parts of the body. Your local masseuse will be able to show you a map of the hands and tell you the pressure points and what's affected by each specific one. Both the palm and back of the hand, as well as the finger tips have different pressure points. Different techniques also affect different parts. Each pressure point is numbered and targets each specific area. For example, point #31 when rubbed will help with a weak bladder, whereas point #22 when twisted will relieve constipation. Rubbing the side of the middle finger tip will relieve fatigue. Pressing and rubbing point #30 will relieve dizziness. Whatever ails you, a hand massage may cure it. Try it at your local spa.
