Charlie Chaplin 'The Cure' 1917

Charlie Chaplin was born on this day in 1889.  Charlie was an English actor known for his comedy during the silent film era.
A particular favourite of mine is ‘The Cure’ first shown on April 16th 1917.  It is a short comedy only 31 minutes.  Charlie plays and alcoholic who checks into a health spa to dry out but takes a trunk of alcohol in with him.  During the clip I have put below Charlie interprets a massage as a wrestling match.  Not surprising looking at this clip that massage was not particularly popular in 1917.
It was in 1917 in London at St Thomas Hospital that James Mennell first did physical treatment by manipulation movement and massage.  Massage was also being used for rehabilitation of soldiers during World War 1.  Massage was used mainly for medical purposes and was continued to be used by nurses till the 1940’s.  Gradually the advancement of medical science and the use of electrotherapy and drugs saw massage become just a luxury afforded by few with the first spas opening in the USA and nurses no longer being taught massage.
Massage today is very different to that of 1917, after a surge of re-interest in the 1960’s and 70’s people became interested in alternative health and fitness.  Training courses were set up by City and Guilds and other schools to train therapist.  The health and fitness boom resulted in massage becoming a respectable form of alternative and complementary medicine.  People became interested in maintaining wellness.  Massage has continued to grow in popularity with therapist now practicing many techniques that have their roots deep in the ancient history of massage.
We have come a long way since Charlie Chaplin experienced his massage in 1917.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSbIbxXQVUs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL0DBABDE3591404EE

Enjoy the clip, the massage section is about 5 minutes into the clip.

" A day without laughter is a day wasted"  Charlie Chaplin 

The benefits of a full body massage

A lot of my clients have a back massage, probably because they feel their back ache and have a massage to relieve the pain.  However if they stayed for the extra half hour and had a full body massage they would gain so many benefits.
I specialise in massage for relaxation and stress relief; I am a fully qualified Mindfulness, meditation and relaxation instructor as well as a massage therapist so my massage treats you emotionally as well as physically.
Today we are all rushing and under pressure to get things done, it has been said that the tension and stress can be the root cause to many illnesses so we need to find ways to alleviate the stress and tension from our lives. The more we stress about worries in our lives the more our muscles tense and it becomes difficult to relax.  An hour massage can help relieve the build up of tension in your body as well as relax your mind.

A full body massage can begin with breathing techniques to quieten a chattering mind before an hour of top to toe massage.  Towels are used for draping so only the area being worked on is uncovered.  Your body is treated to long relaxing strokes, kneading and wringing to help your body begin to heal its self.

Here are just some of the benefits to having a regular full body massage;
• Increased Circulation
• Relaxation of mind and body
• Boost immune and lymph system
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improved range of movement
• Improved sleep
If you are already receiving a back massage why not take that extra step and upgrade to a full body massage and feel the benefits.