NATURAL THERAPIES FOR INSOMNIA: MASSAGE

Massage is another helpful and enjoyable way of dealing with the stresses associated with insomnia, particularly for people who find it difficult to relax. To lie on a couch having your body caringly tended to can ease away all kinds of muscular and mental tensions. Touch and relaxation are healing in themselves; in addition, massage stimulates the circulation of blood and lymph, boosting the flow of oxygen and essential nutrients in the blood and also helping the body to free itself of waste toxins. This can be particularly beneficial for problems like rheumatism and arthritis.

It’s interesting how massage has taken off over the last decade in Britain, since the British are not famous for appreciating the power of touch. Some men, in particular, seem to find it hard to understand that touch can be intimate and healing without having to lead to a sexual clinch, and in some areas massage is only slowly losing its erotic associations. Yet it is one of the most ancient and most natural forms of therapy, practised since ancient times in the East, and adopted by Ancient Greek physicians as a valid aspect of medicine. It is now beginning to come into its own in the West, and is regarded as a valid therapy by both natural practitioners and hospital nurses.

Everyone can benefit from massage, from the very young to the very old. Baby massage is becoming quite popular; gently stroking your baby all over is not only soothing but will help him or her to grow up with a good sense of self-acceptance. Old people can benefit greatly from touch, and are often starved of it — a lack that can certainly contribute to insomnia. In addition, massage with a good oil helps to keep their skin strong and supple.

There are various methods of massage; probably the best-known is Swedish Massage which uses a variety of techniques to relieve stress, encourage circulation, take the tension out of tight muscles and break down fat. Becoming popular today is Intuitive Massage, which is less rigidly structured and also takes into account the body’s energy system.

A professional massage can take an hour or longer, and is a very pleasant experience. These days massage therapists often use aromatherapy oils in their massage oils.

Self-help

Many people find that giving a massage is a soothing as receiving one; more than one massage therapist has told me that focusing their attention on the other person is like a form of meditation. Couples attending massage courses find that it brings them closer; non-sexual touch can have a loving quality that can feed back into your sex life. And for couples going through a bad patch, emotionally or sexually, learning massage together can sometimes break through barriers that talking can’t.

Anyone can give a massage to their child, partner or relative, particularly concentrating on the neck and shoulders; but if you are untrained, keep your touch gentle — particularly if you massage someone’s head. It’s even nicer if you use a pleasantly scented aromatherapy oil. If you want to take it further, look out for evening classes or weekend courses. You can learn a great deal from the thorough and well-illustrated Book of Massage (details below) which gives instructions for intuitive massage, Shiatsu and reflexology, with sections on massaging babies and old people, and on the energy system and centres.

Massaging the feet

This can also be extraordinarily soothing, mentally and physically; among other benefits it draws tension away from the head, helping to calm an over-active mind. If you have a partner who is willing to massage your feet, try it after getting into bed; you may well find yourself drifting off to sleep.

Foot massage is also a very good way to get a fractious baby to settle down — just gently stroke the feet for a few minutes after a bath. Of course, with babies, you can do this at any time of day.

Massaging yourself

Self-massage is obviously not as satisfactory as having someone doing it for you, but it can still be quite soothing. Starting with your head, go down whatever bits of you you can reach, gently pressing and releasing with your palms and fingers. Then use your hands to lightly brush yourself down, smoothing out the energy field around you.

Simply massaging your hands and fingers can also release quite a lot of tension. Try it: you may find yourself yawning.

*81\169\2*

Anti-Depressants/Sleeping Aid