Most people say they experience a wonderful 'sense of wellbeing' after receiving a good massage.
But that's not the whole story. Working as a Massage Therapist and teacher with parents and children, including children with disabilities, I often hear people say they also experience a 'sense of wellbeing' after giving a massage. Massage can help to ease stress and tension in both the giver and the receiver.
Touch through massage can help parents communicate with their children in a positive way. Teaching older siblings how to massage a new baby at home can help them to feel more involved when there's a change in family routines.
At other times touch can speak when words fail. Giving a friend or a relative a massage who is in hospital, or in-care can make you both feel much better.
If a client has never received a massage, then I will usually recommend that they experience at least one massage before they begin. It's the only way to know how good it can feel for the other person, or your child and it helps to develop your unique sense of touch.
My practice includes one to one Massage Therapy at home, teaching baby massage and running workshops for community groups. I also give talks about my experience as a volunteer Massage Therapist working overseas with children, young adults and disability.
