When Swedish doctor Per Henrik Ling develops the Swedish massage at the University of Stockholm in 1812, it took the world quite by storm. Medical practitioners are very much ware of the benefits it can give to the human body. The primary purpose of the massage is to increase the flow of oxygen in the blood and to release toxins from the muscles. “Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable.
Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time” (http://www. mamashealth. com/massage/sweed. asp). Numerous massage techniques have been patterned from Dr. Ling’s system. Over the years, benefits have been greater than initially expected especially in the aspects involving cardiovascular circulation. The Swedish massage technique allows a total blood flow from the innermost component of the muscles in the human body passing through the vascular systems and controlled by the heart.
The development of the Swedish massage has been closely appreciated by its own developing practitioner, Dr. Ling. When he suffered rheumatism in 1790, he saw that daily body work outs restored his normal health. By then, he conceived a system that he will be sharing with the rest of the world. Developing the system that he is popularly known for, Dr. Ling has been able to persuade the Swedish government to assist in the fundamental process of enhancing his therapeutic techniques. Contributors to the growth and acceptance of the massage include an important figure in Dr.
Johan George Mezner, who is credited for much of its efficient methods. “Whatever the case, to quote from the Axelson’s Gymnastiskas Institut website, “Ling’s idea had a large influence on healthcare during the second half of the 19th century. A visitor from America wrote in 1901: “A true Swede believes that exercise cures all. If you visit a Swedish doctor in all probability he will prescribe an exercise program and send you to a massage facility rather than a visit to the pharmacy” (http://www. aromantic. co. uk/swedish-massage.
htm). CONCLUSION Breakthroughs in the field of alternative medicines have contributed a beneficial effect which has been claimed by traditional or conventional medicines alone. It can never be denied that traditional medical methods created the framework for much of what the healthcare system has been all about today. But people cannot neglect the importance acupuncture, herbal medicines and touch therapy in the activities and events surrounding mankind. The modernization process in the field of medicine will continue to go on.
Its progress however, will rely much on the acceptance of the people. Diseases and harmful elements will always threaten the lives of all individuals. But with the presence of therapeutic techniques which are new to the society, keeping health issues should be the least of the world’s concerns. Both alternative and conventional approaches in the medical scene should be integrated and incorporated as a single fighting force where people can draw off solutions to combat the issues of sickness and diseases.
Recognising the need to understand alternative medicine, the experts who met recently in Cairo recommended that an inventory of available medicinal plants be compiled and made available to medical practitioners. The timely concession does not mean that modern medicine is losing heart or totally changing tack. “Less than 5 per cent of patients use CAM, on its own. More than 95 per cent use it integrated with modern medicine,” says Gerard Bodeker, who teaches traditional medicine at Oxford (http://weekly. ahram. org. eg/2002/616/feature. htm).
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