Masaza, why is it so widely practiced?

In a fast paced world as ours, that is going global by the second, with increased job opportunities and a lot of fierce competition for the top position, people hardly find time for themselves to relax and unwind in a proper healthy way. Masaza (massage) is a therapy involving manipulation of soft tissue with anatomical, physiological and psychological purposes. Masaza basically involves applying pressure on the body, this can be achieved by structured, unstructured, stationary or in motion, vibration, or other movements carried out by hand or with mechanical help.

Most of the tissues targeted in masaza are muscles, tendons, skin, ligaments and bone joints. In some cases, lymphatic vessels or organs of the gastrointestinal system are also included. Numerous methods have been evolved since the first recorded masaza in c.493 BC this evidence has been provided through the bible. Masaza by olive oil was common among wives of the wealthy back then, of course then it was only used for beauty treatments. Masaza therapy offered by professionals, include a massage table on which the client can lay comfortably, a massage chair or a simple mat on the floor, depending on the individual administrating the masaza. The client may be partly or fully undressed, with parts of the body covered by a towel or sheet.

Nowadays, with the advancement in medical technology and new methods of treating aliments, most of the doctors advise their patients a masaza therapy to cure illnesses like migraine and many other physiotherapy related diseases. Medical masaza includes the decongestive therapy which may be used for health problems related to swelling of lymph nodes, and might also help in the treatment of breast cancer. Another masaza therapy used in the medical field is the Carotid sinus massage. This masaza is effective in differentiating between the supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which is a rapid rhythm of the heart that originates in the atria or in the electrical loop involving the AV node, and the ventricular tachycardia which is a fast heart beat rhythm originated in the ventricles of the heart and is much deadlier than the SVT.

Even though this treatment is quite effective it pales in comparison to other medicinal treatments. Specially designed tables and chairs are used for masaza therapies. Most of the massage tables commonly used in commercial masaza centers have a heavy padded surface, to make the client comfortable while lying face down. The shape of the table resembles a horse shoe, so that the client can breathe easily during masaza sessions, this feature may also be portable, adjusting according to the massage requirements. The surface of the table is made of an easily cleaned material, because of the constant use of oil on it. A bolster may also be used when correcting the position of the body. Masaza chairs are portable as compared to tables and the client does not have to remove clothes to get a massage. For this reason, this chair massage is offered in outdoor festivals and shopping malls.