Massage Therapy Schools - Why and for Whom

''If I'd known I was going to live this long. I'd have taken better care of myself'' -- Eubie Blake at the age of 100

Such a work driven society we live in today, it's very easy to be led into a monotonous routine. Bed to desk, desk to dinner table then back to bed! The few luxuries that we afford ourselves are the few minutes of conversation during breaks, the cigarette and the occasional outing. Rarely do any of these contribute constructively to our ever degenerating bodies. Even athletic individuals concentrate more on the wear and tear (jogging, exercising), relying on the regenerative functions of the body to reign supreme. That just might work for us till a certain age, but what then?

Incremental bulge of the belly, stiffness of both body and mind, pressure on joints and the ever imposing ''age-factor'' make us all the more prone to physical and (the correlated or otherwise) mental stress vis-a-vis back pains, headaches, anxiety, depression, blood pressure, insomnia, injuries, reduced blood flow to the muscles (including cavernous dysfunction), PMS pains and what not! Blue collar or white collar, athletes or stay at home parents; we all are dependent on our bodies to keep us in action. Society has come to that junction where primary medical facilities are just not keeping pace anymore! Where do we turn to then?

Massage therapy just might be the answer to our prayers. Being a naturally sensual treatment, it is most definitely enjoyable. More important is the fact that its various forms are able to treat the majority of the body. Imagine having the skill to offer relief from pain and discomfort in muscles and joints, which in turn results in a feeling of well being, not just physical but mental as well. Now imagine being at the receiving end of such a skill!

''The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and

do what you'd rather not.''- Mark Twain

Not anymore Mr. Twain, not anymore.

For Athletes

An athlete's body takes quite a beating at times, requiring even more intensive rehabilitative treatment. Almost all types of massage therapies work wonders by reducing tension in the muscles, lactic acid build up (that may cause pain and inflammation) and en

hancing blood flow (for better muscle growth=power, stamina and speed!)1. Therapeutic massage is sometimes preferred over pain medications!2 It is especially useful for individuals recovering from an injury of sorts.