User:KOMF/Wiki4Cam Backups/Massage

Massage is muscle and soft tissue manipulation usually by hand but can be by water jets, to improve the circulation, relax the muscles, reduce the stress, relieve stiffness and soothing the body. It may involve the whole body, face, neck or back as required. The word "massage" may come from the French which means "friction of kneading," or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough". Massage is considered the oldest form of medical therapy practiced on the human body, dating as far back as 2,700 B.C. There are traces that ancient Eastern Chinese cultures practiced massage to heal ailments from labor pain to paralysis. In Ayurveda therapeutic massage has been performed using oils and spices, which possess healing properties. In the history, evidences show that the great Julius Caesar and other Greek and Roman heroes underwent daily massages to treat nerve pain. Massage helps in mental relaxation, releasing of tight muscles, emotional comfort and stress management, increased body awareness, improved circulation, and improved lymphatic drainage for release of toxins.