Massage Therapy z4a4o

Contents

Introduction 1 The History of Massage

Ancient massage Ancient Greek massage Roman massage Massage in Days of yore The 1800s to 1900s 20th century massage Massage today

2 Purpose and Benefits of Massage Therapy

Purposes of Massage Therapy Benefits How Massage Therapy works Positive applications

3 Education and Training

How to choose a course specializing workshops Practical vs theory Business skills Accreditation and licensing

4 Basic Types: Eastern versus Western; Traditional versus Modern Eclectic

Western massage therapy Eastern massage therapy mixed

5 Common Types of Massage Therapy

Swedish Massage Trigger Point Massage Deep Tissue Massage Therapy Sports Massage

Shiatsu

6 Other Types of Massage Therapy: Eastern

acupressure

7 Other Types of Massage Therapy: Western

rolfing Medical massage reflexology

8 Terminology Conclusion Articles

DYSFUNCTIONS RESPONDING TO CLINICAL MASSAGE FACIAL MASSAGE MASSAGE THERAPY AS COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE MASSAGE THERAPY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

MASSAGE FOR YOUNG CHILREN MASSASGE THERAPY VS. CHIROPRACTICTIC THERAPY MASSSAGE THERAPY PREGNANCY MASSAGE REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE RISKS OF MASSAGE THERAPY SELF MASSAGE DEVICES SELF MASSAGE THE BALINESE MASSAGE THERAPY THE CHAIR MASSAGE THE DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE THE FOOT MASSAGE THE HAND AND ARM MASSAGE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY THE HOT STONE MASSAGE THE INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE THE KOREAN MARTIAL THERAPY THE SHIATSU MASSAGE THE SPORTS MASSAGE THE SWEDISH MASSAGE THE ZEN MASSAGE

About the Author Legal

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Introduction

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Massage is rapidly growing in popularity. In the past 10 years, the need for qualified massage therapists has increased substantially. It is no longer the sole prevue of massage parlors or wealthy spas. You now can find massage as part of an integrated medical system of treatment. You can see it in ICUs for babies, children and elderly people. Massage is part of out care and in-house therapy as well as medical management for people with HIV-AIDS and cancer.

Massage now forms a small but significant part of many different types of health care facilities. Hospices, health care centers, and various types of medical and therapeutic clinics include some form of massage as part of a recognized form of treatment. In the sporting arena, massage is also a prominent fixture, making its appearance at the Olympics. Massage is also an accepted part of athletic training at all levels of sport.

Yet, what exactly is massage? There is actually no simple single definition. In fact the term has varied somewhat over time. In 1886, for example, Thomas’s Medical Dictionary of 1886 simply stated:

"Massage, from the Greek, meaning to knead.

Signifying the act of shampooing."

A few years later, the definition became a little more involved. In A Text-book of Mechano-Therapy (1904), Doctor Axel V. Grafstrom declared,

"By massage, we understand a series of ive movements on the patient’s body, performed by the operator for the purpose of aiding nature to restore health. These ive movements are friction, kneading, percussion, stretching, pressure, vibration, and stroking."

The definition for much of the 20th century continued in this fashion. A standard dictionary from the 1970s defines massage as a

“manual or mechanic manipulation of parts of the body as through rubbing, kneading, slapping or the like, used to promote circulation, relax muscles, etc.”

Online, the Encarta Dictionary defines massage as

“a treatment that involves rubbing or kneading the muscles, either for medical or therapeutic purposes or simply as an aid to relaxation.”

There are other ways to characterize it. Some separate massage according to method or type. Some see it as traditional others look at it as modern. There are Western and Oriental or Asian versions.

In fact, massage has many types. It is not a solitary definitive action or typology. Yet, you can provide some basic parameters and, therefore, set forth a basic definition. Essentially, massage is the use of touch given by one person to

another. Using manual techniques based on an ancient and/or modern system of treatment, the practitioner kneads, rubs, strokes, and compresses or otherwise manipulates the flesh. At its most common, massage induces pleasure. This is true of sensual or sexual massage. At its most powerful, massage is a tool for removal or reduction of stress as well as for pain relief, injury rehabilitation, health improvement, increased awareness and/or athletic preparedness or recovery.

Although still in some instances a “naughty” skill or art, massage has become what it was once in the antique past – a medical, emotional and psychological treatment. When you abandon the pure pleasures of the flesh in implementing massage, you are entering the realm of massage therapy. Massage therapy is a specific application of massage. Its purpose is to help the client recover from illness or injury or, as in the case of sports massage therapy, act as a preventative measure.

As a curative, therapeutic, enabling or preventative form of medical treatment, massage therapy may act alone or become part of a system of treatment. It may complement other traditional or alternative therapies. In doing so, it becomes part of a larger and often intricate approach to healing referred to as CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine).

The following pages will guide you through the field of Massage Therapy. It will examine the purposes, benefits, training, types and terminology. It will consider the various approaches and techniques they use. From aromatherapy massage to Trigger Point Massage, this e-book will consider and discuss massage therapy and all its aspects.

1 The History of Massage

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The history of massage goes back into the ancient past. There are references of it among the records – written and oral, of many different civilizations.

Ancient massage

The Chinese, the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians and the Hindus all provide indications of a form of massage in place as adjutant to or an integral part of medical treatment. Egyptian tomb paintings depict people receiving a massage. Around 3000 BC the Chinese had made it part of a general fitness and health program.

The most well-known of these references to the use of massage during this period is the Huang Ti Nei Ching Su Wen or The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine (ca. 2,700 B.C.). It notes: "When the body is frequently startled and frightened, the circulation in the veins and arteries ceases, and disease arises from numbness and the lack of sensation. In order to cure this one uses massage and medicines prepared from the lees of wine." The book recommends the following approach:

“breathing exercises, massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands and feet" as the appropriate treatment for -complete paralysis, chills, and fever."

In 1800 B.C. Hindu writings indicated massage was part of as system of treatment involving such things as weight loss, combating fatigue and aiding sleep. The Hindus writings indicate massage was also a tool in relaxation. We know more, however, about the use of massage therapy in Classical Greece.

Ancient Greek massage

The Greek word for massage was anatripsis. The Greeks recognized massage in helping battle problems of fatigue and muscle pain among soldiers. They found it to ease the pain and release tension during training. They also applied to athletes both pre and post tournaments. Herodicus was the first Greek physician to implement massage as a medical treatment. He claimed it helped to prolong life. In his practice, Herodicus used massage together with herbs and oils. His student, the “Father of Medicine,” Hippocrates (460 – 380 B.C.), claimed massage improved the function of ts and increased muscle tone. He felt the best way to massage a person was towards the heart.

Hippocrates mentioned massage several times in his writings. His most quoted references are found in “On surgery” and “On articulations.” In the former, he states “Anatripsis [massage or rubbing] can relax, brace, incarnate, attenuate: hard anatripsis braces, soft anatripsis relaxes while much anatripsis attenuates and moderate rubbing thickens. (17). In the latter he writes: “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing (anatripsis), for things which have the same name have not always the same effects. For rubbing a t that is too loose, and loosen a t that is too rigid.” (9).

Roman massage

Carrying on from the Greek implementation of massage were the Romans. Their word for massage was frictus translated as “a rubbing”. Both Julius Caesar and Pliny were the recipients of massage therapy. Julius Caesar required massage to relieve neuralgia and headaches. Pliny sought relief for his asthma. Aulus Cornelius Celsus (ca 25BC – ca 50 A.D.), a Roman physician, utilized massage in his own practice. His works De Medicina, denote the significance of massage. Of the 8 volume set, several volumes spend time discussing the use, methods and typology of massage or rubbing. He claimed it healed paralysis. He also noted its use in helping with headaches. Galen, court physician to two Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius and Septimus Severus, another also discussed the uses and importance of rubbing in his medical publications.

Massage in Days of yore

The following centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire were not kind to massage therapy or many other types of medical procedures. The Dark Ages or Medieval times saw little advancement made in these areas. Furthermore, the application of massage required hands actually touching flesh. This was too worldly and too sensual for the religious minded and ruled world of the period. The only exception to this approach was found in the Middle East and other nonEuropean countries.

Of particular note in the development of massage in its medical sense was the man known in Europe as Avicenna (980-1037). This Persian physician, Ali alHusayn Abd Allah Ibn Sinna was a prolific author of both medical subjects and philosophy. He also wrote books of poetry and theology. Avicenna noted the object or purpose of massage was “to disperse the effete matters found in the muscles and not expelled by exercise.”

In the Renaissance, massage began to become more acceptable. This was specifically true among the royal households of the time. By the 16th century, Ambroise Paré (1510 – 1590), a French barber-surgeon, was using it as part of his medical practice. He became the official surgeon to 4 Valois kings: Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. His work in this and other medical fields provided credibility to the art and science of massage.

Massage continued to sputter through the 16th and into the following century. Little, however, was undertaken to advance it in form or theory. In the 1700s, it made its greatest advancement, one that was to affect the formation of modern massage therapy. In this era, two men stand out prominently. They are Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839) and John Grosvenor (1742-1823).

The 1800s to 1900s

Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish born doctor, educator and poet, established a gymnastics training program utilizing massage as a key component. The school he founded in 1813 was the Royal Gymnastics Central Institute in Stockholm. The method was medical gymnastics known as the Swedish Movement Cure. Ling borrowed much of his techniques of massage from the Turks. There are also aspects of Chinese, Egyptian, Greek and Roman techniques. His new creation became known first as the Swedish Movement System or Swedish Gymnastic Movement System. It later gained the misnomer of Swedish Massage.

At the same time Ling began work on his inclusion of massage as part of a healthy life style, Grosvenor wrote and spoke about the use of massage as part of medical treatment. He felt the application of massage therapy produced positive healing affects in specific medical problems. He saw it relieving the difficulties of stiff ts and muscles. He said it was effective in such conditions as gout and rheumatism.

In the 19th century, a Dutchman and doctor, Johan Georg Mezger of Holland (1839-1909) created the final steps to the system developed by Ling. He provided the French names used in what is now Swedish Massage. Ling did not have specific terminology to describe the techniques he used. Mezger did. He applied French names to the specific strokes. As a result, of the efforts of him and his students, Swedish Massage (Classic Massage in Sweden) has the following terminology: effleurage, petrissage, friction and tapotement.

In the United States, two brothers, both physicians, introduced the practice of massage. They were George Henry Taylor (1821-1826) and Charles Fayette Taylor (1826-1899). Dr. S. Weir Mitchell in Philadelphia and Dr. Douglas

Graham of Boston also provide . Graham published several articles on of the topic. He also published one of the earliest books on the topic in 1884.Recent Developments in Massage came out in 1893.

During the late 1800s and into the 1900s, further advancements ensured the survival of massage as a respectable medical treatment. John Harvey Kellogg (1852-1943) of Battle Creek Sanitarium used massage and hydrotherapy in his treatment. He published a treatise: The Art of Massage in 1895. A year earlier, several women founded the Society of Trained Masseuses in Britain. It provided standards for study and the prerequisites for massage education.

20th century massage

Further developments and works on the subject of massage therapy followed. Sigmund Freud implemented massage in his treatment of hysteria. Sir William Bennett established a department of massage at St. George’s Hospital in London, England in 1899. St. Thomas’s Hospital in London was to retain a massage department until 1934.

In the early 20th century, massage therapy became part of a variety of treatments. Sir Robert Jones, Director of Special Military Surgery Hospital in London, encouraged the use of massage. He felt it helped to alleviate pain assisted in improving circulation, reduced incidences of edema and promoted the healthy sustenance of tissues. By the end of WWI, Kurre W. Ostrom had published his book on Swedish Massage (1918).

Various types of systems of massage began to emerge during the early to mid 20th century. Jiro Murai developed the Japanese form of Massage called Jin shin jyutsu and Mary Lino Burmeister introduced it to the American public in the 1960s. Janet Travel began to explore Trigger Point Massage in the 1950s, publishing her manual with David Simons in 1983. Ida Pauline Rolf (18961979) published in 1963 her book on Structural Integration (SI), creating and promoting the massage method called Rolfing. Francis Tappan (1915-1999) published her work along with the pair of Gertrude Beard and Elizabeth Wood. Their work, the celebrated book, Massage: Principles and Techniques has become a classic textbook since its publication in 1964.

Massage today

Today, massage therapy is clearly distinguished from simple massage. Sensual and sexual massage still retain a high profile in the mind of the public, but it is no longer assumed a massage treatment is something covert. Massage therapy is truly coming into the respectability it deserves. It is returning to the position of esteem it once held.

2 Purpose and Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy is a valid way of improving your life. It is beneficial for you in so many different ways. It is a method that knows no gender, age or race. Touch is an essential part of all our lives. No matter who we are we can benefit from the powers of positive touching or therapeutic massage.

Massage Therapy can influence the health of people of all ages in a positive fashion. Babies and seniors can benefit from massage therapy. The sense of touch is more than a sensation. It is greater than a mere laying-on of hands or casual stroke. Massage therapy is a means of maintaining and improving your health.

Massage therapy, depending upon the type, is either directed towards a specific injury or body part, e.g. sports massage, or is more general in its scope. The purpose can also vary according to the practitioner and the client. It may be a matter of maintenance or an issue of rehabilitation. Yet, overall, the purpose of Massage Therapy remains the same – to promote and maintain a healthy body balance.

Purposes of Massage Therapy

The following are specific and basic purposes of Massage Therapy. They cover a variety of functions and intents:

Relax the body e.g. tight muscles and tense ts, Remove stress and anxiety from your mind Stimulate circulation of blood and lymph to help improve various physical operations of the body Help the immune system function at its best Abet recovery or rehabilitation time of ill or debilitated patients Improve overall health Reduce and/or relieve pain –chronic and otherwise Remove stress Create or reinstate homeostasis (optimum health)

Benefits

Massage Therapy produces a number of different benefits for the body and the person who inhabits it. These are not New Age babblings. Research provides for several of the claims. ittedly more scientific studies need to be undertaken to provide further data, but to date, university research and studies made by the National Institutes of Health provide some validity to the following:

Regular massage can increase weight gain among infants exposed to the HIVAids virus. Patients after abdominal surgery have a quicker recovery time if they receive regular massage. People suffering from hypertension show a decrease in their blood pressure after Massage Therapy sessions. Sufferers of migraine headaches have a decrease in pain with a massage treatment system in place.

Increasingly research studies are beginning to other benefits attributed to Massage Therapy. These include the following:

Improves digestion Reduces or lowers blood pressure Releases pain killing chemicals – endorphins Balances hormone action

Improves blood circulation Increases lymph flow Abets muscle relaxation Increases the range of motion for muscles and increases the flexibility of ts by lessening tension and stiffness Reduces instances of t and musculature swelling Helps muscles and ts, sprains and injuries heal faster Reduces the chance and extent of scar tissue formation Mitigates stress and anxiety Reduces pregnancy tenderness and discomfort Introduces essential oils into the skin Reduces dependency on medicine by providing an alternative pain management system

How Massage Therapy works

The massaging of the surface skin, muscles or affected part has several diffuse and related impacts upon the functions of the overall body systems. By applying therapeutic massage techniques, the practitioner increases circulation away from a specific inflamed or affected area. This, in turn, decreases the strain and tension on the affected parts. The result is a decrease in pain.

At the same time, rubbing the affected part or parts assists in draining the excessive or excess fluid built-up in the system or area. This also reduces the tension on the body part. The muscle or t, therefore, also regains some of the lost mobility. While Massage Therapy cannot claim to actually increase muscle strength, it does stimulate the weak and atrophied muscles and ts. This, in turn helps to improve circulation and improves the range of movement.

By rubbing the skin, the practitioner also helps to release endorphins. Endorphins are the feel good, pain killing chemicals in the body. As massage releases the endorphins, the patient feels a decrease in pain. As a result, he or she can relax. They can get more sleep. Bodies heal best when the patient is relaxed and inactive. By inducing endorphins to act, massage therapy increases the ability of the body to heal itself.

Overall, massage affects the autonomic nervous system by soothing the nerve endings of the skin. In doing so it helps to calm down the entire body. It also affects the lymphatic system. Lymph surrounds every cell in your body. Lymph is responsible for supplying nourishment. Lymph system also carries away waste products. When lymph returns to the heart, it brings with it the waste products, viruses and bacteria from the cells through the lymphatic vessels. The system contains filters or lymph nodes. These purify the contents so they can then return clean to the heart to start the process over again. Massage makes

sure there are no knots or blockages to the process. Massage also stimulates the production and flow of lymph.

Many illnesses are emotional or result from stress. Heart disease is one medical problem, for example, directly linked to stress. Massage Therapy soothes the body and the mind. In doing so, it relaxes the person. It thus reduces stress and removes or decreases the feelings of anxiety, worry and even depression.

Positive applications

There are many instances when you can use Massage Therapy as part of an overall Complementary and Alternative Treatment (CAM) system. These include the following:

Reduced peripheral circulation Lymphatic congestion Muscle spasms Tension e.g. headaches Anxious states of mind Flaccid musculature Back ache

Some practitioners also claim the following problems or medical issues benefit, either directly or indirectly, from Massage Therapy.

Allergies Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid arthritis Asthma Bronchitis

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Depression Digestive and gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea and constipation Insomnia Myofascial pain

Before you decide whether to treat your illness, check with both a reputable and licensed Massage Therapist and your doctor. Make massage part of a compatible CAM system.

3 Education and Training

If you wish to become a qualified massage therapist, you will need to go to school. There is, at the present time, no set path to pursue the career. Unfortunately, training requirements and educational qualifications vary from country to country throughout the world. In fact, the specifications for a massage therapist may even vary within a country. In England, Canada and the United States, for example, differences continue to exist between provinces and states. It is up to the potential massage practitioner to ensure he or she receives the best possible education in the field.

There is no lack of good schools on massage therapy. There are many different college courses and training programs. The curriculum for each and the focus will vary. You may attend a course providing general information on a variety of massage techniques. You could also go to a college or school which concentrates on or promotes a specific type of massage therapy e.g. Swedish, Sports or Trigger-Point.

How to choose a course

In general, be sure to choose a course which offers you an extensive look at topics covering anatomy, kinesiology and physiology. This will provide you with a solid grounding in basic body mechanics, physical makeup and motor development. You will need to thoroughly understand how the body works if you want to be effective in your career choice. Make sure you prepare yourself well in advance by taking courses in such sciences as biology during your high school years.

Besides courses in physiology and related topics, your selected massage school should offer a curriculum preparing you for the different types of techniques used in massage therapy. These should include a look at both Western and Asian methods. A basic overview of the types of massage should contain Swedish Massage and Traditional Chinese Massage. The two provide an excellent and comprehensive overview of the history and techniques of massage therapy you will require in your chosen field.

specializing

You may also wish to specialize. There are a variety of massage therapy schools that focus only on specific type of massage therapy. While you will still learn the basics, the major focal point will be a particular type of massage therapy or a technique. You may want to concentrate on Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki or Aromatherapy Massage. Your interest may lie in Trigger-Point, Swedish Massage or Sports Massage. It is probably a good idea to take a general overview before you commit yourself to one specific type. This will ensure you do not spend time in a course your ultimately decide is wrong for you and your intent. If you are unsure as to your preference, enroll in a general course.

workshops

Another way to eliminate what you like from what you have no interest in is to attend workshops. Many local colleges, on-going education programs and community centers offer special interest courses. These frequently include instruction in massage. Attend one or more of these to see if you have the personality, talent and intent for becoming a massage therapist.

Practical vs theory

During the selection process, consider the number of practical versus theory practice offered by the schools. In the long run, it is the implementation of what you learn that will determine what type of massage therapist you will become. Therefore, it is essential to see whether your school has a focus.

Does it concentrate on the theoretical aspect or the practical? Do you have sufficient sessions in applying what you learn? Is there an apprentice-type program where you can see and put what you learn into action?

Business skills

When you determine your course of post secondary education, look to see if the school offers courses in operating in the world of business. Such a curriculum will allow you to explore the options open to a massage therapist. These may include working in an office environment, alongside a chiropractor, out of your home or in your own office or shop. To help you make your decision, the ideal school will include financial courses. A reputable massage therapy school will provide you with information on such things as operating costs, location, financial options and how to prepare a business plan. A good massage school will also not ignore the topic of ethics both in business and with your clients. You need to be aware of these issues if you wish to be successful and the best possible massage therapist for your clients.

Massage schools may also help you obtain gainful employment. They can provide you with guidance in selecting employment. Some schools offer job placement services for their graduates. They also continue to their alumni with specific services to help them continue their learning. This may include post-graduate courses or workshops.

Accreditation and licensing

Choose your school with care. Check to see if the courses you are taking are not only pertinent but are accredited. Since some states require licenses to operate, be sure you select a school meeting with their approval. Be aware, your education is ongoing. In some places, maintaining a valid license involves continually update your education and improving your skill through annual attendance at courses and workshops.

Be sure your school prepares you for the taking of any exams following your graduation. Some countries require you take a specific examination before you are able to operate in their jurisdiction. In the United States, you may be required to take the Certified Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). In Europe and the United Kingdom, there are different licensing organizations and exams. The licensing requirements may actually vary in different cities. This may lead to confusion. The Irish Massage Therapists Association (IMTA), for example is trying to establish a national examination.

4 Basic Types: Eastern versus Western; Traditional versus Modern Eclectic

Massage therapy initially separates into two basic types: Eastern and Western. The latter form is also referred to as Chinese, Japanese or Asian. While the two formats have commonalities, there are also differences. This is not simply a question of origin. It is a matter of philosophy. Western Massage traditionally treats the body as a physical entity. It bases its approach on western ideals and understanding of medicine. Eastern or Asian Massage looks at the body as part of a whole. It considers the physical, emotional and mental aspects of a human being as one interdependent entity.

Within the frame work of Eastern and Western Massage, you find two basic subdivisions. These are traditional and modern eclectic. Traditional massage therapy conforms to the original concepts. They remain staunchly Eastern or Western in their outlook and approach to treatment. Modern, eclectic massage therapy diverges. It can be Western Massage techniques utilizing Eastern philosophy. It could also be Eastern techniques with a more Western approach to medical concepts. Modern eclectic massage therapy essentially offers a variation on the original theme.

Western massage therapy

The original version of Western Massage Therapy is, without a doubt, Swedish Massage. In fact in Sweden and among many practitioners, Swedish Massage is known as Classic Massage. It is a massage therapy based entirely on a physical or medical approach. It is the physical body that is of importance. A massage therapist of this and other traditional forms of Western Massage, focus on the anatomy as defined by Western medical research. These massage therapists work within a tradition that uses the current concepts of the scientific understanding and findings on the physical entity we call the body.

Traditional forms of Western Massage include

Sports Massage Medical Massage and Deep Tissue Massage.

Approaches with slight variations are

Esalen Massage Hellerwork Myofascial Release Rolfing and

Trigger Point Massage or Myotherapy.

The massage therapists of these types of massage focus only on the physical repair and maintenance of the body. In Rolfing, for example, a massage therapist works with the muscles and the layers of fascia (connective tissues) to reorganize or restructure or realign the body. Esalen Massage essentially draws on Swedish Massage with rocking movements and deep tissue massage strokes to help restore the functionality of the body.

Eastern massage therapy

The standard form of Eastern Massage Therapy is Chinese or Asian Massage Therapy. This can take many forms. The most standard is acupressure. Its approach is strictly based on the philosophical and medical concepts from the East. It perceives the healing of a body to be realized only with the involvement of the life force. This is the Chi or Qi, in Chinese, and the Ki in Japanese.

In Traditional Chinese or Japanese Massage Therapy, the practitioner works with the energy or life force to heal the body. It is all about balancing the energy within the body. It is also about creating and maintaining a physical, mental and emotional balance. In the traditional form of Asian massage therapy, the therapist is striving to restore a balance among all aspects of the body. Moreover, he or she accomplishes this using a system based on a concept of meridians or pathways.

A blockage of any of the 12 meridians or 8 channels, according to Acupressure theory, will cause many adverse effects such as disease and emotional trauma. By placing pressure on specific points, the practitioner clears the channels. This allows free flow of energy, balance is restored and health improves. Other traditional versions of Western or Asian massage therapy include

Amma (Japan) Tuina or Tui Na (China) and Thai Massage.

All these forms of Asian massage rely on the philosophical and medical

approaches of the East. Tuina, for example, works with specific acupressure points to stimulate the ts and muscles. Techniques are traditional Chinese brushing, kneading, rolling and pressing.

mixed

Both Asian and Western massage practitioners follow their own concept of physiology. There are, however, eclectic combinations. While some may base their origins in the past, they are revivals or recreations not the original. Falling into this mixed category are

Shiatsu Reiki Aromatherapy Massage and Reflexology.

While some, such as Shiatsu and Reiki, base their approach on traditional Oriental massage therapy or medicine, they combine more modern approaches or update the practices. Aromatherapy Massage, for example, combines the use of aromatic oils with various massage techniques.

Yet, Eastern and Western, as well as all the subdivisions, all have the same goal – a healthy, happy human. How they achieve it is different. The techniques vary. The philosophy may be radically distinctive. Yet, the goal of making a person feel and act whole again remains true for all forms of massage therapy. In the following chapters you will learn more about these distinct types of massage therapy. You will discover how they differ and how they are the same. It begins with a look at the most popular types of Massage Therapy: Swedish Massage, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage and Shiatsu.

5 Common Types of Massage Therapy

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According to the American Massage Therapy Association, there are five types of massage that are currently the most popular. These are Swedish Massage, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage and Shiatsu. All but Shiatsu represent a Western tradition of massage treatments. All rely on specific techniques and intents to produce the best results possible in their clients.

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage or Classic Massage is the oldest of the western traditions. It dates back to the early attempts by Per Henrik Ling (1176-1839) to introduce a method of massage into sports education. In doing so, he integrated a number of different existent Eastern healing techniques into a Western system of anatomy, physiology and blood circulation. Further development by Johan Georg Mezger of Holland (1839-1909) produced the current classical or traditional system of Swedish Massage. Mezger is particularly noted for the naming of the different strokes applied in Swedish Massage. These are Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction and Tapotement.

Effluerage (touching lightly) is a smooth gliding stroke.

Petrissage (kneading) is a kneading of the flesh. Friction (rubbing) is the deep, circular movements to the soft tissue. Tapotement (tapping) is the application of cupped hands, the fingers or the edge of the hand in short, alternating taps on the body. In addition to these 4 original strokes, the massage therapist can use vibration (shaking).

In theory, Swedish Massage helps the body to relax while it improves circulation and increases the range of motion or movement of the muscles and ts. A practitioner uses this type of massage therapy to help an individual recover from stress and to prevent the onset of injury and stress-related illness. By relaxing the client, Swedish Massage reduces stress. This helps decrease stress-related illnesses. By improving the circulation, Swedish Massage decreases swelling

around the injury and enhances lymphatic system production. As a result, healing speeds up and the reduction of swelling increases mobility of the affected parts.

Swedish Massage is the traditional form of Western Massage. Since its origins, and with the increase of massage in popularity, massage practitioners have created variations. These include three on the most-popular list. The offsprings of Swedish Massage include

Trigger Point Massage Sports Massage and Deep Tissue Massage.

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger Point Massage is the creation of Janet Travell M.D. (1901-1997). A former White House physician, she explored and, with David Simons, is responsible for the Bible on this variation of massage therapy. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual came out in 1983. It contains the basic techniques, purpose and philosophy behind Trigger Point Massage. In essence, Trigger Point Massage believes the primary causal factor of pain and dysfunction is small, tender congested knots in the muscles. These are the “Trigger Points.” Highly localized spots, they are responsible for pain some 75% of the time.

Trigger points are responsible for a variety of pain, usually throbbing and dull aches. These include headaches, neck and jaw pain, lower back pain and t pain. Trigger points may indicate carpal tunnel syndrome. Earaches, dizziness, nausea, heartburn, colic in babies and sinus pain or congestion can all be the result of trigger points. The defining symptom of a trigger point is something called referred pain. The trigger point is an indication of the problem which may not, itself, originate at the trigger point. Relieving tension and stress from the trigger point will, however, start the healing process and break the cycle of painspasm-pain.

Trigger Point Massage Therapy recognizes three different types or regions of trigger points. There are central trigger points, satellite trigger points and attachment trigger points. You may have an active or a latent trigger point. All effect the healthy functioning of the body. Pressure on the correct trigger point will relieve the pain and hasten the healing of the body. The method utilized by the practitioner is similar to Asian Acupressure. Deep sustained finger pressure is applied to the trigger points to release them. As with Swedish Massage, Trigger Point has also spawned variations and adaptations. Two specific versions are neuromuscular therapy and Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy.

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy is a direct descendent of Swedish Massage. In some instances, Deep Tissue Massage is a technique and not a specific type of therapy. In fact, it is utilized in various different kinds of massage therapy. In Deep Tissue Massage, a practitioner can utilize a number of techniques to free the body from pain. It specifically targets the body’s system of myofascial connective tissue. Here, the therapist may find adhesions.

Adhesions are tight, rigid, bands of tissue. They are usually present on ligaments, tendons and muscles. In doing so, the adhesions block blood and lymph circulation. This causes pain, limited movement and often inflammation. The therapist using Deep Tissue Massage, relies on slow strokes and finger pressure on these tight areas or adhesions. The approach requires depth in the pressure applied.

Like Sports Massage, Deep Massage is specific in its intent and focus. A practitioner will work to realign connective tissue and muscles at the deeper layers. In doing so, the therapist can address such health issues as low back problems, chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and restricted or limited movement of the muscles and ts.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is also a variation of Swedish Massage. It includes some aspects of Trigger Point Therapy. Sports Massage is a method of treating athletes. It is usually injury or athlete specific in its application. Sports Massage emerged as a means to address the needs of athletes. This includes equine athletes.

The techniques of Sports Massage include

Effleurage Petrissage and Frictions. In addition, there is compression and cross-fiber massage.

Sports Massage Therapists may also utilize Deep Tissue Friction (DTF). DTF was introduced by an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. James Cryiax. It is similar to the friction used in Swedish Massage but goes deeper. It is usually applicable in situations of tendon damage and where there are micro-tears and problems to the ts and tendons.

Sports Massage also differs from Swedish Massage in another way. While the intent of both is to heal, Sports Massage is very specific in its intent and application. It is for athletes. Its popularity in sports has seen its inclusion in all major sporting events. These include the Olympic Games. Accordingly, Sports Massage is divided into 3 areas of application: Maintenance, Event and rehabilitation.

Maintenance massage ensures the athlete can train harder and lessens the chance of injury. Event massage is divided into 3 components: pre, inter and post. The former is a short-stimulating massage to invigorate the blood and relax the muscles needed to get the job done. The inter event checks for any signs of damage and helps condition of the next event. The post event may be a 1 to 2 hour massage intended to normalize the tissue of the athlete’s body.

The most common type of sports massage, however, is rehabilitative. Its purpose is to ensure the athlete is restored to complete physical health as quickly as possible. It works on the affected areas to increase circulation, cut down on healing time and to restore balance to the musculo-skeletal system.

Sports Massage Therapy offers athletes of all ages and ranges benefits. It will reduce the possibility of injury, increase range-of-motion and even the elasticity of muscles and decrease recovery time when illness strikes. The end result of a regime of sports massage therapy is improved performance on the field.

Shiatsu

Unlike the other 4 types of popular massage, Shiatsu looks to the East for its origins and traditions. Shiatsu is Japanese. It is often called a form of Chinese Acupressure. Its name, in fact, means “finger Pressure.” While considering some aspects of modern Asian medicine, it is principally traditional in its approach to human physiology. Moreover, it does focus on the overall concept of the interconnection of all parts of the human being: body, mind, spirit, emotion. The mind and body are an indivisible whole.

The technique of Shiatsu relies on knowing the interplay between the Yin and the Yang. A practitioner also has to be aware of the importance of the interconnection between the life force or Ki and the body. The Ki flows through the meridians or channels. Along these channels there are Tsubo or Acupoints. If the Ki continues to flow without blockages an excess or a deficiency, then the body is healthy and balanced. If there is an excess (Jitsu) or lack of Ki (Kyo), there are pains, illnesses, and other health issues.

A Shiatsu practitioner is a giver. He or she applies pressure on the acupressure points to balance the body energy and to promote good health. One technique is called tonification. It is a slow and gradual pressure. Applied to the Kyo Meridians, it helps increase the energy of the Kyo meridians. Another variation induces relaxation of the Jitsu. The basic techniques or strokes of Shiatsu to accomplish this are palm pressure, thumb pressure, finger pressure and elbow pressure. Yin is soft touch and lingering pressure while Yang touch is invigorating and revitalizing.

The benefits of Shiatsu include bringing relief from the symptoms. It helps to ease chronic pain. A Shiatsu Massage Therapy treatment can stimulate the hormone system improving digestion and reproductive systems. Its major intent,

however, is to restore balance of the ki to insure the body is healthy.

While these are the most popular types of Massage Therapy, they are not the only ones. There are a wide variety of types. These include both Eastern and Western traditional massage and more modern and eclectic versions. Both East and West have contributed to the growing demand for CAM.

6 Other Types of Massage Therapy: Eastern

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Asian or Eastern Massage Therapy is not restricted to the popular few listed in Chapter Five. There are many different types of Oriental, Asian or Eastern Massage Therapy. This includes both traditional forms and modern variations. As noted previously, within the general divisions are modern variations and hybrids. Some forms of massage therapy are new creations based on ancient traditions. Others are further developments of existing forms of massage therapy. In some East meets West with an interesting twist on traditional concepts.

The standard form of Eastern Massage Therapy is called Chinese Massage Therapy (CMT). In essence this is a term embracing all forms of massage therapy falling into the category of traditional Chinese practices. CMT can refer to Acupressure, Amma or Tui Na. In some instances the term used is not CMT but Energy Work or Asian Massage Therapy. The latter is a more suitable term than CMT. It seems more appropriate to use Asian Massage Therapy (AMT) when you include types of massage from Japan and Thailand.

Yet no matter what you call it, Eastern Massage Therapy bases its practice on principles of medicine predating Western concepts. As a result, the approach is very disparate from most Western practices. It bases its concept on the belief in a life force traveling along specific body channels (12 meridians and 8 other channels). If there is a disturbance in the flow of Chi/Qi (Ki) and a blockage, build-up or loss occurs, the person falls mentally, physically or emotionally ill. It is then up to the practitioner to find the problem and restore the balance of the Chi. This is accomplished by pressing, kneading, pinching, squeezing and percussing along the acupoints along the channels or the extraordinary acupoints

not on the channels. The practitioner does this to restore the balance of the Ki/Qi – the life or energy force. This is one reason why some refer to the practice of Eastern Massage Therapy as Energy Work.

The other prominent feature of all styles of Eastern Massage Therapy is the philosophical approach. This is a holistic treatment. It does not focus solely on the body. Its intent is to treat the whole person. It addresses the body-mind-soul aspects. All traditional forms do so, while modern variations may focus on one particular aspect.

acupressure

The most common form of AMT is Acupressure. It appears under many guises and with different variations in both traditional and modern types of AMT. Tui Na (Chinese) and Amma (Japanese) are traditional forms of acupressure. Both types predate the more popular Shiatsu. The techniques, however, are essentially the same. Amma or Anma combines pressure point techniques with stroking measures similar to those of Swedish Massage. It directs its healing properties towards the meridians and channels the energy along these points. Amma utilizes the theory of the five elements as part of the process. Amma is probably based on the ancient practice of Tui Na.

Tui Na is the forerunner of both Amma and Shiatsu. The at least 2000-year-old practice encomes Acupressure but extends further to include various different strokes. There is pressing but also kneading, waving, shaking, pressing, percussion and manipulating of the body at pressure points between the ts and along the specific meridians. Tui Na may also use herbs as well as manual manipulation and acupressure in the treatment. There are various schools promoting and teaching Tui Na. Tui Na, like Shiatsu, is an accepted practice in Asian hospitals.

Thai Massage is also similar to Tui Na. However, the roots for Thai Massage are in both India and China. This is energy work, but it is more similar to ancient Hindu energy work. The pattern of meridians is more Indian than Chinese. The methods, however, are familiar to Tui Na practitioners. Pressure of the palms and fingers is applied to the points along the channels or meridians. This releases blockages along the routes. Thai Massage also utilizes various stretches of the body. The practitioner moves the body in certain ways to help energize the body and increase the range of movement. An adapted approach of Thai Massage is Thai Yoga Massage. This type of massage closely aligns the practices of Thai Massage techniques with those of Yoga. The life force in this instance is referred to by the Indian word of Prana.

There are newer or more modern types of Asian Massage Therapy. These include Aromatherapy Massage and Reiki. Both have a traditional basis but seem, to many people, very New Age. Aromatherapy Massage does have an ancient lineage. Its roots are located in India, Egypt, Babylon, Greece and in the Moorish Empire. Aromatherapy Massage relies on the power of scent, using essential oils extracted from plants with healing properties. The oils are sent into the air and rubbed upon the body. The method of massage can vary. The techniques may resemble more Swedish Massage than Tui Na. there is gliding, kneading and friction rather than acupressure. The perception and applications, however, have more in common with Asian beliefs of healing.

Reiki is another form of modern traditional Eastern Massage Therapy. Practitioners say it has Tibetan origins. The variation today, owes its origins to the work of Dr. Mikado Usui in the late 19th century. The Usui System of Natural Healing bases its healing therapy on the manipulation of energy. The word “Rei” refers to the universal aspect of healing while “ki” is the word for the basic life force (Chinese Chi/Qi). Everyone possesses ki and we replenish it when we eat, drink, breathe and go about our daily functions. If a person is unable to replenish the ki, he or she becomes ill – emotionally, physically or mentally. In Reiki, the channels conducting energy are frequently referred to as Chakras instead of meridians. The practitioner uses his or her hands to restore the energy. This involves exchange between client and therapist. It does not mean the physical touching of the body. In fact, Reiki practitioners usually have no physical with the body of the recipient.

Reiki, Amma, Tuina, Aromatherapy and Thai Massage are all types of Asian or Chinese Massage therapy. They all have a single intent. They wish to restore the body, in all its aspects, to perfect health. In order to do so, a practitioner draws upon traditional concepts of the body. These may include various ageways where the energy force flows and pressure points. Using scents, pressure and various other means, the therapist attempts to remove or replace energy, Qi (Chi), Ki or the life force. The therapist may also remove blockages or obstructions to energy flow. In doing so, the practitioner hopes to reinstate

the natural balance to the body and, thus, restore health to body, mind, emotions and soul.

7 Other Types of Massage Therapy: Western

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Western forms of massage therapy are both traditional and modern. While Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Trigger Point Massage are popular forms, they are not the only types of Western Massage available. Indeed there are many different variations of Western Massage. Some are simple adaptations of the basic Swedish Massage. Others combine the traditional with a more modern approach. Some unite Eastern and Western elements to create a new entity. Among the many types of Western Massage Therapy are the following:

Rolfing Myofascial Release Kurashova Method Esalen Massage Medical Massage and Reflexology.

Western Massage therapists have one major thing in common. They focus on the body. They frequently rely on a completely Western concept of medical knowledge. In most instances, it is all about the physical repair and maintenance of the body. This is certainly true of Rolfing.

rolfing

Rolfing is the product of the work of Ida P. Rolf (1896-1979). The technique is officially the Rolfing Method of Structural Integration. It believes the body becomes worn down and shifts within the myofascial system (connective tissue). Using elbows, fingers and knuckles, a practitioner helps to align the misaligned body tissue and ts. This is accomplished after 10 sessions. Once considered a painful experience, the methods have shifted and become gentler in their approach.

Ida Rolf practiced at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California before establishing both her method and her school- the Rolf Institute. Esalen Massage, like Rolfing, is based on Swedish Massage. Its techniques are similar. Esalen Massage Therapy features the long strokes of Swedish Massage combining them with rocking movements and deep tissue massage. Esalne does so in what they refer to as a caring or nurturing environment. The environmental factor owes much to the sensory awareness approach of Charlotte Selver. Nevertheless, the focus is on physical wellness.

Rolfing is also related to Myofascial Release Massage Therapy. The Myofascial Release approach owes much to the work of John Barnes, a physical therapist. The focus here, like in Rolfing, is on the fascia. The fascia are the connective tissue found everywhere around the muscles and ts, surrounding the organs and bones. In order to release tension and restore balance to the physical body, the practitioner massages the affected areas. Fingers, palms, forearms and elbows are brought into play. The therapist uses long, gliding and smooth strokes to stretch and mobilize the fascia. Like Rolfing, Myofascial Release Massage Therapy may be incorporated into other types of Massage Therapy.

Medical massage

Medical Massage is another adaptation of Swedish Massage. Medical Massage addresses only the issues of healing the physical body. Its approach and techniques tend to vary according to the needs of the patient and the directions/prescriptions of the physician. Medical Massage practitioners work together with other health professionals to restore health through treating injuries and addressing the issues of other illnesses. The most common types of massage address such things as deformities, tennis elbow, sciatica, knee pain, sprained ankles and repetitive stress disorders. The technique is ilnnes specific.

The Kurashova Method of massage therapy has its origins in Russia. It is a known form of medical massage introduced to the United States by Zhenya Kurashova Wine. The practice consists of more than 100 strokes. Depending upon the condition requiring treatment, the practitioner uses deep or gentle strokes. In essence, this method of massage combines Medical and Sports Massage elements. Its intent is to treat physical dysfunctions and to enhance athletic performances. It can also help a client relax or re-energize their body. It is truly Western in both its medical and philosophical approach.

reflexology

Reflexology is often considered an Eastern form of Massage Therapy. It claims to have predecessors in the wall paintings of Egypt and in Chinese Acupuncture. Yet, its founders are both Americans. In the 19th century, Dr, William Fitzgerald developed a theory on the interconnection between specific points on the feet, pressure and the impact on the body organs. He referred to 10 zones on the feet that would influence health if pressed upon properly. This is very similar to the Chinese concepts of meridians or channels and acupressure.

Mrs. Eunice D. Ingham, an American masseuse, adopted Fitzgerald’s ideas in the 1930s. She wrote a book The Stories the Feet Can Tell published in 1938. This spawned the massage now known as Reflexology. The intent is to restore physical health through pressing the points of the foot. Each foot (or hand) has specific ties to an organ or other significant part of the body. Direct pressure releases the pain and helps the healing process. Reflexology naturally finds itself in combination with other forms of Western and Eastern Massage Therapy. Aromatherapy, Shiatsu, Sports Massage, Chinese Massage Therapy and Yoga other practices may include Reflexology as a technique. In some ways, Reflexology provides the ideal example of West meeting East.

8 Terminology

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The following pages will help guide you through the world of Massage Therapy. They include basic and types of Massage Therapy. These include some forms not mentioned in or only referred to in the preceding chapters. The list is alphabetical in an attempt to facilitate the process.

Acupressure: A method of Chinese Traditional Massage involving the pressure of fingers and other body parts on specific central points along the Qi or Ki energy channels or meridians. Types of massage therapy using acupressure include Shiatsu. Amma: The traditional massage therapy from Japan. Amma or Anma precedes Shiatsu. Based on Chinese Traditional forms, Amma uses acupressure, stroking, kneading and percussion along the meridians. Aromatherapy Massage: Massage combining aromatic essential oils to awaken the senses and lead to healing. Asian Massage Therapy: Overall term for the various types of massage therapy with origins in the Eastern or Oriental forms. The focus in Asian Massage Therapy is not solely on the physical body. The approach is holistic including the soul, mind, emotions and body as an integral part of the healing process. Asian Massage Therapy also relies on Oriental traditional concepts of medical and physical properties and

anatomy of the body. As a result, there is a belief in the need for a practitioner to address the energy level or life force – the Ki, Qi or Chi. By analyzing the energy flow through a system of Chakras, Channels or Meridians, the practitioner knows where to press, knead or use other methods to stimulate or correct the energy flow in the body. Types of Asian Massage Therapy include Shiatsu, Amma, Tui Na and Thai Massage. Ayurveda: A type of healing system based on the ancient Vedic writings of Indian. Deepak Chopra is a classic example of this form of healing. It includes massage therapy as one part of an integrated approach to healing. Chakras: Often defined as an aura, a chakra is one of the seven centers of energy regulating the flow of energy between the body and mind concept. It is Indian in origin and often appears in the terminology of Reiki practitioners as well as New Age therapists. Channels: A channel is an invisible ageway for the flow of energy throughout the body. It is sometimes called a meridian. The channel concept is part of the overall Eastern or Asian approach to medicine. Chi: This is the Chinese word for energy or life force. It is responsible in traditional Chinese medicine for the health of the body, the mind and the emotions. It flows through various meridians in the body. If there is too much chi, too little chi or a blockage of Chi, the person will fall ill. Traditional practitioners work to restore balance to the Chi. In doing this, they will ensure the return to health. Chi is also Qi in Chinese. It is Ki in Japanese and Prana in Indian massage practices. Connective Tissue Massage: Developed in the 1930s in , this form of massage therapy focuses on the layers of tissue between skin and muscle known as connective tissue. It proposes that massaging one area of the body will have positive effects on

another. Deep Tissue Massage: This is both a specific form of massage and a technique used in other types of massage therapy. It involves deep manipulation of the myofascial connective tissue. Deep Tissue Massage Therapy owes much to both Swedish Massage and Structural Integration. Eastern Massage Therapy: See Asian Massage Therapy. Effleurage: A basic technique of Swedish Massage Therapy involving smooth and gliding strokes. The massage therapist uses both hands in this principle stroke of Swedish Massage. Esalen Massage: This is a type of Massage Therapy combining elements of Swedish Massage with sensory awareness principles and environmental sensitivity. It was developed at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. Fascia: These are the connective tissues surrounding and ing the muscles, organs and bones of the body. Friction: A basic technique of Swedish Massage Therapy. It involves rubbing and deeper penetration of the skin through circular motions of the hands during the massage treatment. Hot Stone Massage: This is a popular means of treating specific ailments. It involves placing different sized heated stones on the affected body parts. Some massage

therapists combine hot stone methods with Shiatsu or traditional Asian massage therapy types. They place the stones according to specific meridians, channels, pressure points and chakras. Ki: The Japanese form of Chi, the life force or energy. Kurashova Method: A form of Russian Medical Message. It involves over 100 types of strokes to address issues of pain and to help athletes recover. Medical Massage: Medical Massage is a form of Swedish Massage. Under the prescription of a physician, the practitioner provides the client with specifically medically directed forms of therapeutic massage. Meridians: These are pathways along which the energy or life force flows. They are also known as channels or Chakras. Myofascial Release: This technique to Massage focuses on the fascia. It employs hands, fingers, elbows, forearms and palms in smooth, slow and long strokes to mobilize and stretch the fascia. Oriental Massage Therapy: See Asian Massage Therapy. Petrissage: This is a basic technique of Swedish Massage Therapy. It involves kneading the flesh. Prana:

The Indian version of the Japanese Ki or Chinese Qi/Chi – life force or energy. Reflexology: This type of massage focuses on the zones of the feet and sometimes the hands. The practitioner applies pressure to these zones to free the specific related body parts of pain, anxiety, stress, etc. Reiki: Reiki is a hands-off version of massage therapy based on traditional Asian methods of medicine and massage. Using the concepts of Chakras and life forces, Reiki practitioners use their hands to transfer energy to the needed parts and to restore balance. Rolfing: The Rolfing Method if Structural Integration is a technique aiming to reorganize the body structure through deep manipulation of the myofascial system of the body. Rosen Method: This is a system of noninvasive touch and verbal communication. Touch or massage is utilized to detect muscular contraction causing health problems. Verbal expression is used to discover any emotional issues. Shiatsu: This is a Japanese form of Acupressure. Translated, Shiatsu means “finger pressure.” The practitioner applies pressure to specific Ki channels or meridians to restore the balance of energy. Shiatsu rates high in popularity among Western and Asian cultures as a form of healing therapy. Sports Massage: Sports Massage is a variation of Swedish Massage. While Swedish Massage treats the entire body, sports massage focuses only on specific parts. It is directed towards maintaining, improving and rehabilitating the health of athletes. As a result, Sports Massage is subdivided into three categories of

treatment: Maintenance, Event and rehabilitation. Variations include Equine Sports Massage, designed specifically for racing horses. Structural Integration: This term is the original name for Rolfing. It also describes various types of massage therapy and bodywork used to integrate the structure of the body. An example of Structural Integration is Deep Tissue Massage. Swedish Massage Therapy: This is the standard and most popular form of Western Massage Therapy. Its focus is only on the physical healing of the body. In this it is a traditional form of Western Massage Therapy. Swedish Massage is the root of many other types of massage including Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage, Medical Massage and Rolfing. The basic techniques consist of Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction and Tapotement. Tapotement: This is a basic technique of Swedish Massage. It involves using cupped hands, the edge of the hand or the fingers to strike gently the client with brief, quick, alternating taps Thai Massage: Is a form of Asian Massage Therapy based on the principles of Oriental or Eastern Medicine. It involves the manipulation of the client’s body together with other techniques. These include acupressure. Thai Massage is often combined with Yoga to create Thai Yoga Massage. Trigger Point Massage Therapy: This is a type of massage therapy utilizing the concept of “Trigger Points.” Trigger points are centers found usually in muscles that radiate pain to other parts of the body. By pressing the Trigger Points, you reduce pain. Variations of Trigger Point Massage Therapy include Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy. Tui Na:

This is an original form of the Chinese Traditional healing system. It relies on the concept of the Qi or Chi life force flowing along meridians or channels. Tui Na or Tuina works with the life force or energy to restore health. It utilizes acupressure, rubbing, pressing, waving, shaking, percussion and manipulation. Western Massage Therapy: A term used to describe massage originating in the West and/or demonstrating a focus on or utilization of Western medical theory and practice. In Traditional Western Massage Therapy, the focus is always on the physical body. This differs from Asian or Eastern Massage therapy with its holistic approach. Typical forms of Western Massage Therapy are Swedish Massage, Sports Massage and Medical Massage. Zones: This is the term used in Reflexology to define the points of manipulation used by the practitioner to help the patient regain health, relax and reduce stress. Each zone on the foot or hand corresponds to a central body organ or part.

Conclusion

In recent years, Massage Therapy has shaken off its image of seedy massage parlors providing sexual services to clients. It has also abandoned the image of pampered rich people at spas or in tony health clubs. Today, Massage Therapy is for everyone. Many medical insurance plans even include massage therapy under basic coverage. It is truly coming of age.

Massage addresses medical issues, treats injuries and helps people recover emotionally and physically. Sports Massage helps athletes maintain peak performance. Massage also helps sufferers escape chronic pain and new born mothers avoid postpartum depression. More and more research is beginning to show the positive healing effects of massage therapy. It can alleviate various forms of medical problems and emotionally based health issues.

Massage is a wise career choice, although there are still issues concerning universal requirements for licensing and practicing. There are so many different options within the field. There is Asian Massage Therapy with its emphasis on the holistic approach to healing through massage. There is also the totally physical philosophy of Swedish, Sports and Medical Massage. In between these two types are the eclectic versions of massage therapy including Reiki and Reflexology. These draw upon Western and/or Asian traditions to create a new entity.

Massage therapy is an alternative means to health. It is a different approach to help heal, repair and transform the body. Together with Western medical philosophy, Massage Therapy provides an excellent form of CAM – complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Articles

Here are some short articles given as “food-for-thought”.

DYSFUNCTIONS RESPONDING TO CLINICAL MASSAGE

Occasionally referred to as an orthopedic massage, Clinical massage is an entire array of manipulation techniques designed to assess and then to minister to soft tissue injuries and these may include but are not limited to: massage therapy, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, muscle-energy techniques, craniosacral therapy, deep tissue massage and so on. The Clinical massage therapy is usually based on a physician’s prescription and directives as a series of treatment sessions to be performed over a set period of time and at specified frequency as related only to a specific need. In that regard, this therapy is most often performed with a particular and purposeful outcome in mind, and its first and foremost objectives are to relieve pain, to increase the range of motion and to help repair and restore soft tissues such as muscles, tendons and ligaments to their normal and healthy functions.

The first of the doctor-prescribed set of sessions is predominantly devoted to assessment or diagnostics of the client’s true condition and with all the data collected an action plan can be formulated:

By using various levels of palpation or touching of the ailing body part, the massage therapist will pinpoint the exact location as well as determine the levels of pain.

The range of motion and the strength of the muscles is tested through a sequence of movements such as a ive movement which involves the massage therapist moving the relevant muscle groups while the client is inert; an active movement which involves the client’s own movement of the muscles in questions; and the resisted movement which involves the clients’ movement against a resisting force.

If clinical data related to previous soft tissue injuries and massage therapy is available, it will be reviewed for comparison to the current situation and the phase of healing will be determined.

The findings are closely reviewed along with the doctor’s orders and a customized Clinical massage therapy is drawn up.

Most every condition of the soft tissues can benefit from Clinical massage to some extent, but the following list displays dysfunctions which respond most advantageously to its application:

Myofascial Pain. Pain and physiological dysfunctions are known to begin at specific points within muscles and their connective tissues which are also known as fascia. These are appropriately referred to as trigger points because they tend to set off or trigger reactions at remote locations.

Scientists and researchers have successful recorded comprehensive map systems of myofascial trigger points and they have been able to identify dozens of dysfunctions relating to them. The most common of these are: carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ dysfunction, PMS, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, cardiac arrhythmia, indigestion, tennis elbow, urinary frequency, sinusitis, deafness and blurred vision.

Fascial Plane Dysfunction. Fascia covers nearly the entire body in large endlessly connected sheets which can be distorted and bound to themselves and nearby tissues when inflicted with injury, misalignment or a chemical imbalance. To promote optimal health, the fascial sheets and the blood vessels and nerves which follow them must be in good conditions.

Neuromuscular Dysfunction. Even the simplest and the tiniest of movements of the body requires armies of nerve impulses to be sent to the muscle which is directly involved, as well as to the ading and opposing muscles. And it must all be accomplished with precision of timing and proportions. When the mechanics of any part of these functions break down, muscle fibers or entire muscles lock.

Tonus System Dysfunction. Overused muscles become hypertonic or lose their ability to relax. Consequently, they tighten and cause stress on opposing muscles and on the ts they cross.

Dermatomic Dysfunction. When nerves are pinched anywhere along their path, pain will be delivered to the area they serve.

Spondylogenic Dysfunction. When ts of the spine are impaired or compressed, pain will occur in that specific area.

Stated more simply, people suffering from muscle or t pains or tightness, muscle fatigue or tension, shooting or spreading pains, allergies or asthma, anxiety or depression, irregularity of the digestive system, arthritis or circulatory problems, sleep disorders, headaches, immune function disorders or stress, they can be helped as their symptoms can be relieved through Clinical massage.

FACIAL MASSAGE

The oldest known Facial massage in human history dates back to the third century B.C. where it was written about in an ancient Chinese medical text. Scientists have discovered many subsequent ancient medical records in archeological digs conducted in Greece, Persia, Japan and India. All these earlyday writings have one thing in common; their Facial massages were described in vivid details but always as part and parcel of total body massage therapies in which specific pressure points on areas of the face and neck were depressed sufficiently to loosen obstructions in the flow of the vital energy which is also known as gi. The standalone Facial massage of the recent Western world was popularized in the twentieth century Europe before it was inducted into the North American world of cosmetic and beauty treatments. As a result, Facial massage came to be regarded as the job for estheticians, cosmetologists and makeup artists rather than massage therapists.

In the cosmetic and beauty arena, the Facial massage is istered with the intent to slow down the natural aging process and to attain younger, healthier and more vibrant looking and feeling facial skin. However, Facial massage also has therapeutic benefits as it can relieve and mitigate stress, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndromes (PMS) as well as sinus congestion.

In spite of their growing demand as entire massage sessions of their own, Facial massages are not precluded from total body massage treatments. Needless to say, Facial massage treatments which are performed the entire session are much more comprehensive and include many elements which are not included in Facial massages that are part of full body treatments. In both instances, though, gentle yet stimulating upward strokes are used in circular or semi-circular gliding movements. A typical and basic Facial massage will include the following procedure and usually in that same specific order:

With the client comfortably reclining on his or her back on a treatment table and the professional seated closely to the client’s head, the face is thoroughly cleanses and wiped dry. A lubricant such as a cream, a lotion or oil is applied to the entire face and neck area. The Facial massage will begin with repetitive rounded movements and will include every part of the face as well as the neck, ears and scalp. Crucial pressure points will also be stimulated in the process. The face, neck and ears are cleansed of the lubricant used for the massage and a facial moisturizer is applies.

Facial massages may also include the removal of facial hair as well as the removal of blackheads and whiteheads which will necessitate a moist steam treatment. These three elements will be included right after the massage session and before the application of the moisturizer. In addition, the entire process may be culminated with the application of full or partial makeup and sometimes even a hairdo.

The benefits of the Western style Facial massage are:

Improvement of the facial skin and its muscle tone. Relaxation of the facial and eye muscles. Alleviation from tension headaches and general facial pain. Relief from stress and anxiety. The overall release of stress from the body and mind.

Facial massages are part of full body treatments in Eastern therapies where

pressure is applied to points on the face which correspond to various internal organs such as the stomach, the liver and the gall bladder. With such different techniques, it is not surprising therefore, that the benefits of the Eastern Facial massages are very different from those of the West:

The stimulation of meridian points on the face. Relief from eyestrain and neck tension. Correction of liver and fall bladder imbalances. Recovery from nervous disorders of the stomach. Release from premenstrual water retention.

Facial massages, Eastern or Western, are not recommended under the following circumstances:

While clients are wearing lenses. Open sores, boils, cuts or recent scar tissues in the face or neck areas. Inflamed, infected or bruised skin of the face and neck. Acne, psoriases or eczema, all of which can be worsened by the treatment.

Facial massages are most often performed with bare hands that are lightly lubricated by oils or lotions to help them glide more smoothly over delicate facial skin. However, there are some mechanical devices that may also be used instead of the hands or in addition to them. Best of all, in my opinion, Facial massages can very easily and effectively be self istered just about any time and anywhere, and there are countless resources on the Internet that will instruct interested persons how to master the art.

MASSAGE THERAPY AS COMPLIMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Massage therapy is a broad term that encomes a wide variety of procedures and methods of pressing, rubbing and manipulating muscles and other soft body tissues such as tendons, ligaments, skin and connective tissues. The main objective of massage therapy is to relax the soft tissues while promoting an increased delivery of blood and oxygen to the areas being massages and, therefore, to decrease tightness and pain. Massage therapy is most often accomplished by utilizing the massage therapist’s fingers, hands, arms, elbows and/or feet. Occasionally, however, mechanical and electronic devices may be also used.

As a matter of fact, there are more than eighty official types of massage therapy treatments but some of the most widely known are the following:

The Deep Tissue Massage. This technique uses a combination of strokes and deep finger pressure applied way down under the skin and into the muscles at the painful sites in order to breakup knots and loosen tightness.

The Trigger Point Massage. This procedure is also known as the Pressure Point Massage and it is more focused on specific myofascial trigger points with a stronger force than the Deep Tissue Massage. The goal here is to dissolve the painful knots that were formed in the muscles as well as to relieve additional symptoms in more remote areas of the body.

The Swedish Massage. This system utilizes oblong smooth strokes, kneading and friction of the muscles as well as movement of the ts to increase their range of motion and flexibility.

The Shiatsu Massage. Using altering rhythmic pressure, tapping, squeezing and rubbing along the meridian and on various other parts of the body, the main objective of this Eastern massage therapy is to enhance the flow of a fundamentally important energy called gi. And this energy, in the ancient Chinese medicine is believed to be the life force that regulates a person’s spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellness that is easily affected when subjected to the rival forces of yin and yang.

Whether the four most often practiced massage therapies I mentioned above are used as complimentary alternative medicine (also known as CAM) or any one of the other recognized eighty which are available to a lesser or greater extent, there are important points to be considered:

No massage therapy should ever be used in place of regular or ongoing medical care.

Massage therapy should not be the cause or the excuse to postpone visiting a medical professional for existing medical issues.

The massage therapist’s schooling and credentials must be verified as well as his or her experience with specific health and medical conditions. Any additional complimentary alternative medicine (CAM) such as herbs, supplements, special diets or other treatments which are suggested by the massage therapist must first be reviewed with a medical professional.

Although the subject of massage therapy (how it works and why) has been

studied for many years and continues to be studies, much of it still remains within the realm of a mystery.

If and when massage therapy is performed by a well training and experienced professional, few risks are involved and the worst of them may be temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, swelling or an allergic reaction to the massage oils. The small number of serious injuries which have been reported were triggered by untrained hands that were not aware that certain medical conditions should not be massaged. It is, therefore, essential to consult a medical professional before undergoing massage therapy, particularly under the following circumstances:

✓ Deep vein thrombosis

✓ A bleeding disorder or when taking blood thinners

✓ Damaged blood vessels

✓ Weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture or cancer

✓ The presence of high body temperature

✓ Open or healing wounds, tumors, damaged nerves, an infection, a severe inflammation or fragile skin

✓ Pregnancy

✓ Heart problems

✓ Dermatomyositis or any other skin disease

✓ History of physical abuse

MASSAGE THERAPY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

With the baby boomers aging and with the help of higher technology and greater innovations in medicine and geriatric science, life is not merely being prolonged but more and more senior citizens today have the opportunity to take advantage of more quality life than ever before. This translates into a generation of more senior citizens of more advanced ages living among us, and that is, in my opinion a very good thing. National demographic studies tell us that nearly 40 million Americans are currently 65 years of age or older and over 2,000 more reach age 65 every single day. To accommodate the ever grown demand for massage therapy among senior citizens, many massage therapists are choosing to expand their expertise by studying the art of age-specific massage therapy which is often referred to as senior’s massage or geriatric massage.

For the most part, massage therapy for senior citizens is extremely beneficial and of utmost importance to relieve the aches, the pains, the stiffness and the great number of health condition which are so often associated with aging; such as inflammations in the ts; arthritis; skin discoloration and other dermatological conditions; deteriorating muscles and bones; fading eyesight and loss of hearing, reduced appetite and therefore weight loss, poor blood circulation; sleep disorders; weakened mental capacity, tendonitis; bursitis; asthma; emphysema; high blood pressures; diminished functions of the internal vital organs such as the heart, the liver, the brain, the thyroid, the stomach and the intestines; and so much more. Most importantly, however, lonely and isolated, depressed, anxious and fearful senior citizens derive pricelessly valuable benefits from the simple pleasure of the caressing human touch and the intimate companionship afforded them during massage therapy sessions.

The Weaver’s Tale Retreat Center in the State of Oregon recently conducted a two-year study examining the effects of massage therapy for senior citizens and they found that at least 50 percent of the elderly who were tested showed a reduction in their rates of breathing, an increase in their range of motion, an

improvement of their postures, development of more body awareness, their skin took on healthier colors and their muscle tones were enhanced. The same study also showed that 100 percent of the senior citizen who were tested showed a dramatic improvement in their moods and their attitudes toward life in general.

Massage therapy for senior citizens does not differ in technique but it does differ, and it differs greatly in the application of that technique, whichever that technique may be. In other words, just about any of the different massage techniques can be used on senior citizen but they must be modified enough to accommodate the facts that, very often, the skin of senior citizens have become thinner while growing much less pliable and much more easily broken, their bones are thinner and more brittle, their ts are more stiff with reduced range of mobility, their blood vessels are more prominent and closer to the surface of the skin and their overall health, vigor and vitality have been downgraded through the years. Taking all that into consideration, extra care musts be taken when positioning them on the massage tables, they should never be expected to perform the same movements as younger adults, and wheelchair-bound or bedridden seniors should get their massage treatments while remaining seated in their chairs or reclining in their beds.

Most massages for senior citizens are limited to anywhere from thirty to forty five minutes because the elderly seem to respond better to shortened sessions with greater frequency. Furthermore, greater time is usually spent on massaging their hands and feet than any other part of their bodies. That is especially true for those seniors who have lost the use of their hands and feet as massaging them will enhance their body awareness as well as increase sensations and blood circulation throughout.

We all need plenty of TLC (tender love and care) but senior citizens need and deserve quite a bit more of it.

MASSAGE FOR YOUNG CHILREN

Countless studies and pediatric research have shown that massage therapy is supremely beneficial for a wide variety of conditions in young children. As a matter of fact, these studies revealed that massage therapy for young children is a crucially important supplemental treatment to conventional medicine. However, these studies further showed that, in many cases, massage therapy on its own works better in relieving symptoms of many disturbing conditions than do medications and other standard procedures associated with Western medicine.

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMA), more than twenty percent of all children, from newborns to toddlers and early school year children, are afflicted with eczema at some point in their young lives and roughly the same percentage is true for infants and young children suffering from traumatic burns. For that reason, the pain and suffering of trauma burns and eczema are counted among the most common pediatric skin conditions in the United States. Most studies bring to light the following findings:

Young burn trauma patients who were treated with a massage therapy sessions for approximately thirty minutes before any kind of medical or nursing procedures, were more relax physically as well as mentally through the process and they, therefore, experienced less discomfort or pain.

It is important to stress here that the massage treatment was applied only to areas which were not affected by burns.

Young children suffering from eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) who were given massage treatments before and while being treated with skin

medications such as emollients and ointments exhibited less apprehension and they were more willing to cooperate. In addition, the physical conditions of their skins dramatically improved as redness subsided, as did lichenification, scaling, excoriation and pruritus.

The therapy in these conditions ideally consists of two phases. First phase — to ensure smooth strokes during the massage treatment, the child’s body is moisturized with a dermatitis medication. Second phase — being very careful to avoid particularly sensitive areas of the body, a series of varied massage techniques is used on the child’s face, chest, stomach, legs and arms.

The Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, Missouri has been using massage therapy to alleviate chronic pain from headaches and migraines in young children and, in the process, also relieving their levels of anxiety and distress, lowering their heart rates, improving their gastrointestinal systems, promoting the release of endorphins and bringing their entire bodies to a state of calmness. And all these positive effects seem to be immediate or nearly immediate.

Applying massage therapies to infants and young children is not at all a newly discovered concept as it has been a daily practice in the Eastern and African cultures for many generations. They understood that the first sense to develop in humans is the sense of touch and that it is essential to health and wellness. Massage treatments for the young among ancient cultures served to heal, to energize, to calm and to reinforce close bonding and the sense of trust and security.

Having been working zealously on the subject of massage for young children for the past ten or so years, Dr. Tiffany Field and her associates at the Touch Research Institute (TRI) in Miami, Florida insist that, “Every child, no matter the age, should be massaged at bedtime on a regular basis.”

MASSASGE THERAPY VS. CHIROPRACTICTIC THERAPY

If you are anything like me, you probably prefer staying away from providers of conventional Western medicine as much as possible and I cannot say that I blame you. Although I have full medical coverage for that “you never know when you might need it” time of my life, I have not seen any of my Blue Cross doctors in well over ten years, and I hope to continue not seeing them for the rest of my life. Please do not miss understand me and think that I am some sort of superhuman creature who never gets ill. I do have my weak moments of pain and sniffles just like everyone else, or at least everyone else who takes good care of him or herself. So, when my body seems to need a boost, I visit one of my two favorite practitioners of alternative medicine; my massage therapist or my chiropractor.

I know that it all sounds very simple and straight forward but it is, in fact, somewhat challenging at times, because I do not always know which one of these wonderful professional to seek out. So, I often first opt to visit my chiropractor for a good therapeutic session of adjusting and aligning my skeletal structure and then, as an extra bonus to me and my one and only body, I also make an appointment with my massage therapist for some hefty digging and rubbing. Between the two of them, I come out feeling like a million bucks although my finances are sadly depleted. I figure that we, my body and I, are worth it.

Now, you might ask and rightfully so, “What is the difference between a massage therapy and chiropractic therapy?” Well, I will be happy to tell you:

Chiropractic Therapy.

- For the most part, chiropractic therapy focuses on the hard tissues such as the spine and other ts for adjusting and realignment. Chiropractors have some training in massage techniques but that is never their first and foremost priority.

- Chiropractors are authorized to make medical diagnosis, order x-rays or blood works.

- Chiropractors cannot prescribe conventional medications but they can sell supplements or homeopathic remedies.

- Chiropractors do not need medical referrals to perform their work.

Massage Therapy.

- Massage therapists perform wonderful work on the soft body tissues such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments but they have not been trained nor are they licensed to adjust the spine or any other ts.

- Massage therapists may not legally make medical diagnosis, order x-rays or any blood work.

- Massage therapists are not permitted to dispense medications of Western medicine but they can and do provide or recommend alternative herbal remedies.

- Massage Therapists do not required referrals from anyone to conduct their

massage sessions.

A highly acclaimed national non-profit magazine recently conducted a study in which more than 34,000 participants in the United States were asked to rate which alternative treatments worked best for their two biggest health problems for the past two years and the overwhelming majority voted just as I would have; for deep tissue massage therapy and chiropractic therapy in equal measures for such conditions as back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, insomnia and prostate problems.

Of course, as far as alternative medicine is concerned, one should not discount acupuncture and reflexology for they too are beneficial in their own very special ways.

MASSSAGE THERAPY

Massage Therapy is just one persuasion from a wide array of other very effective and closely related persuasions such as Acupressure, Body Work, Manipulative Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Structural Integration, Alternative Medical Systems, Mind-Body Intervention, Biologically Based Therapy, Energy Therapy, Shiatsu and Tui Na. And all these as a group come under the wide umbrella of alternative medicine and body-based methods. Massage Therapy is a procedure in which various methods are utilized to manipulate soft tissues of the subject’s body such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, ts, connective tissues as well as the lymphatic vessels and organs of the gastrointestinal system.

The primary goal of Massage Therapy is to affect physical, psychological and functional curative changes by performing manipulative functions which involve moving or stationery pressure, structured or unstructured force to strategic points, vibration, stroking, kneading, and so on. On occasion, mechanical devices are used as tools of the trade, but for the most part, Massage Therapy is applied manually with the therapist’s hands, fingers, elbows, forearms and feet as the subject is fully clothed in a massage chair or partially to totally naked but covered with a towel on a massage table or on a mat on the floor.

Ancient scriptures have attested to the fact that massage therapy dates back into antiquity and it has been a fundamental practice in many different cultures such as the Roman, Greek, Japanese, Chinese, Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Indian. Even Biblical writings from c. 493 BC speak of daily massage with olive oil and myrrh being applied to the wives of Xerxes (Esther, 2:9-12) as part of their daily beauty routine. Hippocrates of Cos, a Greek physician of the fourth century BC who is also considered the “father of medicine” and after whose teachings the famous Hippocratic Oath was named, wrote that “The physician must be experienced in many things, but assuredly in rubbing.”

Advancing to more modern times, Massage Therapy gained its popularity in the United States when it was presented by two physicians from New York in the 1800s. Their techniques were an adaptation from the Per Henrik Ling Massage Therapy which was developed in Sweden. With the introduction of new and exciting innovations in medicine during the 1930s and 1940s, the popularity of Massage Therapy waned but was revived again by the athletic community in the 1960s and 1970s. Massage Therapy was provided as a central medical service for the first time in the United States during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Etymologically speaking, the word “massage” in English comes from a long line of derivatives as follows: the French word “massage” which means “the friction of kneading,” which comes from the Arabic word “massa” which means “to touch, feel or handle,” which comes from the Latin word “massa” which means “mass or dough.” The Greek word for “massage” is “anatripsis” and the Latin word is “firctio.” However, the oldest known origin of the English word “massage” comes from the Biblical Hebrew word “me-sakj” which means “to anoint with oil.”

What we refer to as Massage Therapy today has in the past been merely referred to as Massage. However, the “therapy” portion of the Massage Therapy came into being only when the illegal prostitution and sexual services in the United States began advertising themselves and their wares as “massage.” Wanting to distinguish itself, the legitimate massage became Massage Therapy while the illicit continued to be called massage.

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

Who better deserves and needs a good massage therapy than a mother to be? I cannot think of anyone, can you? Pregnancy is a very stressful time in a woman’s life; on the physical level as well as on the emotional. By increasing the blood and lymph circulation, by lowering the heart rate, by relaxing the body and by easing the mind; massage therapy can be very beneficial on both of these levels as it relieves common symptoms of this delicate feminine condition: muscle cramps, spasms and myofascial pain of the lower back, neck, shoulders, hips and legs; the excess stress on weight-bearing ts; the swelling of the extremities (arms, hands, legs and feet); sleep difficulties and the psychological turmoil (stress, anxiety, fear and restlessness). Many independent studies have conclusively shown that the positively beneficial effects of massage therapy during pregnancy also benefit the growing child in the mother’s womb as well as resulting in an easier labor and in a less painful delivery.

What is the difference between Pregnancy Massage and any other massage? Well, there are a number of very important differences which should not be overlooked. And due to those differences, therapists who perform massage therapy on pregnant women must be specially trained and certified accordingly, and they must always take those extra few precautionary measures:

Pregnancy Massage should not be performed until the first trimester of the pregnancy has been concluded because the increased blood circulation may lead to dizziness and a worsening of the existing morning sickness symptoms.

Positioning of the pregnant woman is detrimental to her safety and the safety of the child she is carrying. If using a massage table for the Pregnancy Massage session, it must be a semi-reclining table. In the event that such an appropriate

table is not available, the pregnant woman should lie on her side and switch sides in midsession to make both her hips available for the massage treatment. A wide variety of pillows (body pillows, wedge pillows and extra padding pillows) set in a few strategic places under the pregnant woman’s body can greatly add to her comfort.

Important safety measures: The pregnant woman must never lie directly on her belly and

the flat, horizontal table with the hole for the belly must never be used as it inflicts too much stress on her lower back.

There are certain parts of the pregnant woman’s body that must never be massaged or pressed; both sides of the ankles as well as the webbing between the thumbs and the index fingers are pressure points that can induce early labor when exposed to sustained pressure.

For the great majority of the time, Pregnancy Massages are perfectly safe and much advised. However under certain very specific conditions Pregnancy Massages should not be attempted without consulting a medical specialist and those conditions may be: women who are at risk of preterm labor and women with blood clots or related blood clotting disorders.

How are Pregnancy Massages and any other massages similar to one another? Every human being, (pregnant or not, female or male, young or old, rich or poor) enjoys the touch of another human being as it conveys comfort, love, awareness, caring, security and too many other wonderful sensations to name in this single short oration. Pregnancy Massage as well as any other kind of massage provides all that and more.

REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE

Reflexology Massage, which is also known as the zone therapy, is an alternative medicine technique in which massaging, stroking, squeezing, pressing, rubbing and pushing on very specific areas of the feet, hands, and ears is applied to promote or stimulate beneficial effects to other corresponding remote parts of the body such as the vital internal organs (heart, liver, brain, stomach, bladder, sinuses, spleen, gall bladder, pituitary grand, adrenal gland, pancreas, kidneys, ureter, colon, small intestines, thyroid, bronchial tubes, coccyx, lungs, and appendix) and other essential systems (voice, neck, throat, eyes, ears, armpits, shoulders, arms, breasts, solar plexus, sciatic nerve, diaphragm, and Peyer’s patches). The intent is to improve the subject’s overall health of the body as a whole and the mind.

The American Association of Reflexologists claims that Reflexology Massage results in improved blood circulation, detoxification of metabolic wastes, reductions of tension and the facilitation of the body’s capability to heal itself. The Associations also claims that Reflexology Massage is effective for back pain, migraines, infertility, arthritis and a long string of other mind and body problems.

Since studies and research failed to reach clinical conclusions about the effectiveness of Reflexology Massage, medical professionals of the Western persuasion have repeatedly expressed concerns that the belief in this practice may dangerously delay treatments of potentially serious health conditions. They have even resorted to calling reflexology’s claim to maneuver energy (gi) pseudoscientific as there is no scientific evidence for the existence of life energy, crystalline structures or pathways in the human body. In the United States, the same medical critics and others disapprove of the lack of medical training and the short duration of training such as it is. They further disparage over the fact that there exists no central regulation for accrediting and licensing Reflexology Massage therapists. Conversely, several European countries, among them

Switzerland, require reflexologists to be trained and licensed medical practitioners with a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology.

However, based on ancient Chinese healing, reflexologists claim that the human body contains an invisible energy field which is the life force or the gi and they insist that a blockage or an obstruction of this life force prevent or puts off the body’s natural inclination for self-healing and the improvement of health and wellness.

Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose and throat specialist and his partner Dr. Edwin Bowers are said to have been the first to pioneer reflexology in the United States in 1913. Referring to their theory as “zone therapy”, Drs. Fitzgerald and Bowers claimed that, in fact, imposing pressure at some very specific sites of the body provides analgesic and anesthetic effects on other distant parts.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Eunice D. Ingham, a nurse and a physiotherapist, declared that the hands and feet are particularly receptive and proceeded to diagram the entire body into associated impulse or reflex points on the feet. By doing so, Ingham changed the previously spoken of “zone therapy” to “reflexology” or “reflexology massage” and his charted reflexes are still followed today.

Whether Reflexology Massage truly attains the exact results it alleges to attain is, in my opinion, not all that important. The more important issue here is the fact that a vigorous massage to the hands and feet feels so very good, especially after a hard day’s work, that it must be therapeutic in one way or another. Or maybe it just feels good and that’s OK too.

RISKS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

By and large, massage therapy that is performed by a properly schooled and well experienced massage therapist who practices his or her art prudently and with due caution, is risk free to its recipient’s health and wellbeing. For that reason along, if for no other, massage therapists must be selected very carefully as credentials and licenses are scrutinized meticulously, references are checked with diligence and questions are asked relentlessly. Regardless of how it is phrased or worded, one question which must always be asked of a potential massage therapist is the following, “Which health conditions would you consider preclusive of massage therapy and why?” And the correct answer, whether stated in exactly those words or different ones, should be, “There are certain health conditions which must rule out massage therapy and those are ...” And he or she must name the following:

Cancer. Massage therapy comes in different forms which affect the body differently. There are also many different types of cancers and patients may be at different stages and receiving different treatments. In some cases and certain types of massage therapy may lead to life threatening results while in other cases with another type of massage therapy the results may be extraordinarily beneficial. Because of such complexity, it is essential to consult with the medical provider who knows the particulars of the case in question before proceeding with a massage therapy of any kind.

The potential risks involved in performing massage therapy on cancer patients do not inevitably discard the entire concept of massage therapy but it does mean that extra caution must be practiced and, perhaps, moderate to extreme alteration of the treatment is in order. And the health risks are the following:

- Fractures of bones. Certain forms of cancer and their treatments weaken

bones to the extent that they can easily break under pressure.

- Bleeding. Many cancer patients have the tendency to bleed easily. Deep tissue massage can cause dangerous internal bleeding.

- Spreading of cancerous tumors. There is an ongoing debate about the effects of massage therapy on tumors. Some claim that applying vigorous pressure to the area where the tumor is present will cause it to metastasis (break down and to spread or to increase its rate of growth). Others, however, deny that claim as unsubstantiated and untrue. It is best to play it safe and not massage the tumor region or its surrounding soft tissues.

- Lymphedema (the buildup of lymph in soft tissue which leads to swelling of the limbs). Certain types of massage therapy in patients who have had their lymph nodes removed due to cancer may lead to lymphedema.

- Flu-like symptoms. Patients who are going through chemotherapy can often develop symptoms which look and feel like the flu after having been treated to certain types of massage therapy.

- Pain. Cancer patients frequently suffer a great deal of pain and most massage therapy techniques can result in some temporary pain immediately after the treatment. That may translate to added pain when too much of it is already present and that can be quite literally unbearable.

Post-surgery. Shortly after surgery, the wound is still in the process of healing visually on the surface of the skin as well as internally. Applying pressure to the site may cause a series of risky health problems such as reopening the incision,

trigger internal and/or external bleeding or blood clotting, and so on.

Skin conditions. Areas where the skin is infected, inflamed or covered with rashes or sores should not be massaged as it can lead to worsening of the condition.

Even when taking into all the risks which have been mentioned above, massage therapy can still be very beneficial to most people in most situations. Rather than discounting it completely due to specific concerns, I would advise consulting a physician.

SELF MASSAGE DEVICES

This is for all of you out there who are like most of us; too busy and too cash poor to treat ourselves to massage therapy on a regular basis or at all. That is indeed an unfortunate self-denial. However, this particular denial can never guide us to also deny the fact that we can all use the benefits of massage therapy for it is not a mere luxury of the superfluous nature but an inherent need. As a matter of fact, massage therapy is deeply embedded into the fabric of our being and we all instinctively practice it to some extent without ever calling it that.

What do we do when our tummies hurt, when we have headaches, when we stub our toes, when our muscles tighten and cramp and so on and on? We automatically and without contemplation or forethought place our hands to the areas of discomfort to press and rub. Guess what? That is self-massage therapy. And self-massage therapy is every bit as effective and beneficial as any other kind of massage therapy, and it can be performed at any time and at any place to accommodate our unforgiving schedules and at no cost.

However, there are some parts of our bodies which are difficult to reach and therefore impossible to self-massage. There are also times when our own two hands are too fatigued or sore to perform the self-massage therapy we need. Furthermore, there may be certain situations that would require our hands to be put to other uses while we wish we could do some massaging. For those reasons, some very intuitive and insightful inventors designed self-massage devices which can resolve these issues without depriving us of a good massage.

Massage devices are by no means new concepts as implements have been used on peoples’ bodies for many centuries throughout the world:

Mesopotamia and Egypt. Some writings indicate that the Mesopotamians and the Egyptians used a variety of objects to manipulate the body and those would date as far back as 3000 B.C.

China. The oldest massage tool that has been discovered thus far is made out of jade and it was used in the Longshan culture of China during the Shang dynasty and dates back to about 2000 to 1500 B.C. — a massage knuckle. At approximately the same time, tools carved of wood or animal bones were used to apply pressure to painful points in the body, and needles carved out of wood were used to treat gout.

Greece and Rome. Stones (jade, marble, basalt and others) were allegedly used either hot or cold by the Greeks and Romans in 175 B.C. The strigil, rubbing cloths and tapotements made of ebony, wood or bone were also used in the Roman and Greed empires and flagellation (self-beating) was practiced with the use of twigs or leafy branches.

England. The English shaped needle-like instruments to alleviate the symptoms of gout. An English veteran of the American Revolution, iral Henry of Rolvenden, created a large collection of tools to treat his own aches and pain. He drummed his back with a hammer covered with cork and leather; he made a few wood carvings to pound the soles of his feet, he used cattle ribs to loosen the knots along his tendons and to stroke certain parts of his body and he fashioned small bone gadgets to massage the inside of his mouth.

Pacific Islands. The Polynesians used a thinly curved limb shaped out of the indigenous guava tree called the laau lomi-lomi stick as well as rounded lava rocks called lomi balls. Both these devices tools were used for rubbing, pounding and pressing.

In the 1890s the Health Culture Company of New York introduced an entire line of manual self-massage devices and those have been used widely ever since, even more than the electronic devices which began flooding the market in more recent years.

The selection available to you today is extraordinary and the prices are surprisingly low. Among them are rollers, balls, percussion sticks, mats, vibration devices, and much, much more. All you need to do is visit websites such as http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/ProductCart/pc/viewcategories.asp and be amazed.

SELF MASSAGE

Are you aware of having a personal massage therapist, actually two of them, available to you and ready to serve and fulfill your wishes twenty four hours a day and seven days a week all year round and charge you not a dime? And would you believe me when I tell you that these massage therapists are perfectly happy to provide you with therapeutic sessions anywhere you please (your bedroom or living room, your office or car, in a public park or at the library), as frequently as you summons them and for the durations of your choosing? I am talking about your own two hands. Yes, your own two hands are perfect capable of massaging away your stress, your tension, your stiffness and your pains while bring forth an increase of blood circulation to invigorate and rejuvenate you with a fresh supply of oxygen into every cell in your body. Research shows that massage therapy, whether it is performed by a paid professional massage therapist or by your own built-in and securely affix hands, also boosts your immune systems as the production of white blood cells is stimulated in the process as is your mental capacity.

Chances are that you probably perform self-massage therapy on a regular basis without ever calling it that. Stroking your forehead in a spontaneous reaction to a headache, grabbing the back of your neck to squeeze aware aches and stiffness, scrubbing yourself down with a loofah sponge in the shower or bath, rubbing your sore feet after a long day or hard work are all forms of self-applied massage therapy. Congratulations! You are an experienced self-massage therapist and you did not require formal training, a certification or a license.

The following is a list of techniques you can safely apply to your own body and promote overall wellness from the tip of your toes up to the crown of your head:

Upon awaking and upon going to sleep. Twice a day, morning and evening,

treat yourself to a session of gentle punches. Always moving in an upward motion from bottom to top, begin with the legs, proceed to the arms, then the torso, the back, the head and the face. This will beat out your tension, stress, kinks in your muscles, will improve your blood circulation and will strengthen your body.

A treat after dessert. Whether you have had a large meal or a small one, help your digestive process by rubbing your tummy in the same direction as your food travels through the systems; clockwise. Therefore, use the palms of both your hands in a clockwise circular motion.

A therapeutic exercise before and after the more athletic type. Punch yourself before stretching, cardiovascular or strength exercises to get more blood flowing into your muscles. After exercising, rubbing your muscles in the direction of your heart will promote the elimination of metabolic waste as well as expedite the relaxation and recovery of your muscles.

Massage your appended massage therapists. You may do this with or without lotion buy you should do it daily. Intertwine the fingers of both hands and rub the heels against each other in a circular motion. With on thumb, rub the entire palm of the other hand and then switch. Untwine your fingers and thoroughly kneading each hand, gently pull on each finger and finish by pinching the webbing between the thumb and the index finger of each hand.

Play tennis without a racquet. To exorcise tension and stress, massage your feet by stepping on a tennis ball. Actually, a gulf ball will work just as well. From a standing position press one foot on top of the ball, apply as much weight as you can and slowly more your foot around.

Enjoy yourself massage and stay well.

THE BALINESE MASSAGE THERAPY

Having originated on the exotic island of Bali, the Balinese massage therapy is one of a number of ancient traditional massage techniques of Indonesia which had been carried down from one generation to another as a method of curing a wide variety of complaints. The Balinese massage is extraordinarily unique in that it brings together several alternative medicine practices such as massage therapy, acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy with the use of essential oils scented with striking aromas of jasmine, rose, sandalwood, coconut, cempaka, sandat or frangipani into a single massage session. As it is true with most massage techniques, the Balinese massage strives to reach the ultimate state of relaxation of the body and the mind. What sets it apart is that the Balinese believe that, in order to attain that heightened state of relaxation, blood and oxygen must flow freely and only then will the gi or energy flow without restraints as well.

The Balinese massage therapy is performed on a conventional massage table or on a soft mat on the floor and a great deal of attention is paid to the scented oils which are generally applied at room temperature. For restorative purposes of an ailing or painful body part, warmed oil with an added mixture of lemon grass, cloves or ginger is applied. Overall, the bouquet of fragrances used in the Balinese massage therapy is intended to induce relaxation, to promote indulgence of the body and to drive away nervousness and unhealthful tension.

To reach the deeper tissues of the muscles, the Balinese massage therapist alternately applies vigorous kneading, cross fiber mobilization as well as skin rolling with gentle motions to every muscle of the body. To enhance results with long lasting effects, robust acupressure movements such as hardy press point and strong palm pressure are generously applies in addition to the prevailing massage techniques such as sliding, long and short exploration and manipulating.

The Balinese massage therapy is far from being gentle or delicate and it is, therefore, time and time again compared to Ayurveda, an Indian holistic medicinal method which is considered by most as being extremely intense. And it is due to the inherent intensity of the Balinese massage, that this therapy is so successful in reaching deep into tense and strained muscles to sooth and calm their spasms. As a matter of fact, the Balinese massage therapy is quite frequently prescribed for sports injuries as well as for stiff and achy ts due to various injuries or ailments, for easing migraines and other kinds of headaches, for relieving sleep deprivation and insomnia, for mitigating chronic and acute breathing maladies due to allergies and asthma, for boosting blood circulation and the lymphatic system, as well as for alleviating stress and easing anxiety and depression. In essence, the Balinese massage is a rigorous yet lavish therapeutic system that aims to bring the body and mind in full synchronization of optimal health, well being, tranquility and spiritual renewal.

In preparation for a Balinese massage treatment, you should give yourself plenty of time to savor the entire experience and its afterglow. Under certain circumstances, your massage therapist may need to modify the treatment or the oils which are used and you should, for that reason, let him or her know if you:

Know that you are pregnant or think you might be. Have any pains or stiffness in your ts or limbs. Have had a recent injury or underwent surgery. Are suffering from high or low blood pressure. Have any kind of heart problems or any other medical condition and are going through some form of treatment.

Bali is just one island out of the 17,508 islands which comprise the Republic of

Indonesia, a nation located in Southeast Asia and the world’s largest archipelagic state. Many of the other Indonesian islands adopted their own massage techniques which are similar to the Balinese massage in their endeavor to heal the physical body and the spiritual mind, yet they are also distinct and bear their own unique characteristics. And they are:

Sasak massage. Lombok massage. Urat massage. Balinese Boreh. A paste of ground spices is used to relieve pain and this massage technique was conceived by local rice farmers. Javenese Lulur Ritual. This is customarily executed on brides in preparation of their wedding day.

Have you decided to give the Balinese massage a try? Good choice! Relax, enjoy the process and come out smelling heavenly.

THE CHAIR MASSAGE

Massages in chairs or simply in sitting positions have always had their place among most ancient and traditional massage techniques around the world but the contemporary Chair massage as we know it today and as we occasionally refer to as the On-Site or Seated massage is a trend that began as recently as 1982. The Chair massage was the brainchild of David Palmer, the director of the Amma Institute of Traditional Japanese Massage at that time who is considered to be the “father” of Chair massage. Mr. Palmer came to realize that, whether due to the high cost or the sensual intimacy of conventional table massages, or maybe the lack of sophistication on the part of the public or perhaps due to the combination of the three in one proportion or another, there were too few people who sought such bodyworks services and, therefore, there was not enough work for all the graduates of his institute. Mr. Palmer’s entrepreneurial intuition and insightfulness led him to adopt a few existing old-time techniques and to renovate others to develop a modern massage technique which could be performed anywhere as it required only brief periods of time, no need for the removal of clothing and quite reasonably priced. Consequently, his Chair massages became convenient, affordable and non-threatening.

The first clients to enjoy the newly developed Chair massage were the employees and customers of the Apple Computers outlets where David Palmer and his graduates set up their makeshift workstations in 1984. That venture lasted only about twelve months and the demand at the time was not huge, but they did give up to 350 Chair massages each week and it proved to be a step in the right direction and a very good beginning. By 1986 a specially designed and structured chair to better accommodate Chair massages went into production and today, there are well over 100,000 such chairs in use within the United States as well as in many other nations around the world.

David Palmer realized that Chair massage will be truly successful only with further development of this particular niche and he opened continuing education

seminars for training graduates of other massage schools. During the twelve months of 1986, he taught 24 Chair massage seminars at 24 different locations in the United States as well as in Sweden and Norway. The concept of the Chair massage was embraced with open arms when presented to the American Massage Therapy Association and as a consequence, by 1990 just about every massage school in the nation was teaching it.

The Chair massage is not officially categorized as a therapy or a treatment but rather as a minimal relaxation technique. Whether that was a deliberate marketing ploy and clever salesmanship or not, it worked to attract people who would otherwise shy away from other kinds of massage therapies and treatments. For the most part, those who took the first step and braved the process of the Chair massage, would have become more open minded about progressing and graduating into the “true” massage therapies.

Nowadays, chair massages are readily available in shopping malls, airport terminals, independent shops, franchises, hotel lounges, hospitals, gyms, spas, bus depots, train stations, supermarkets, community centers, eateries (particularly the new-age cafés), convention centers, beauty salons, barber shops, medical and dental offices, university campuses, corporate workplaces and even at street corners, public parks and city square throughout the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom. The Chair massage is estimated to be the fastest growing and most popular form of skilled touch, as professional massages are performed on the otherwise touch-deprived masses. It is David Palmer’s greatest dream to see young children performing shoulder rubs among family and friends as part of their regular daily routine; and expressed in his own words, “When we reach that point I will know that we have arrived at our goal of a world where touch is recognized as essential to the development and maintenance of healthy human beings.”

THE DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

The deep tissue massage is a kind of massage therapy which centers its attention primarily on the ailing, the sore, the painful and the distressed deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues. Its therapeutic benefits are particularly beneficial for chronically tight and constricted areas such as in cases of stiff necks, tightness of lower backs and aching shoulders. The strokes of the Deep Tissue massage are not very different from those of any other types of massage therapies but they are slower and with more pressure applied to reach deeper while focusing on troubled areas.

The Deep Tissue massage is so important in certain painful contractions and spasms due to stress, strain or injury because that is the only way to get to the root of the problem as it is embedded deep under the surface where adhesions which are the causes of the pain and rigidity in muscles, tendons and ligaments are found. Left to their own wills, adhesions obstruct circulation in the affected areas to limit the blood flow which leads to the pain, the restricted movement and, ultimately, to the inflammation. By applying firm pressure and direct friction across the grain and fabric of the muscles, the Deep Tissue massage aims to break down those troublesome adhesions to restore proper blood circulation, reinstate full movement and heal the inflamed tissues. The therapists performing the Deep Tissue massage may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows and forearms during the therapy session and alternate them during the various stages. Clients are frequently asked to take in deep breaths as the therapists dig deeply into a particularly tense area.

Because the Deep Tissue massage is somewhat intense, it should not be applied under the following conditions:

Infectious skin disease, rashes, bruises, inflamed skin, tumors or open and

unhealed wounds. Immediately or soon after surgery or recent fractures. Immediately or soon after chemotherapy or radiation treatments, unless approved by the client’s physician. Osteoporosis patients, unless approved by the treating doctor. Clients who are prone to blood clots. Heart disease patients, unless recommended by their cardiologists. Pregnant women should get their massage treatments from professionals who are certified in pregnancy massage. Abdominal hernia.

The good news is that Deep Tissue massage really works and it usually works very fast. Often, clients will walk into a session with excruciating pain and walk out a couple of hours later with smiles of relief on their faces. The bad news is that, depending on their tolerance level to pain, most clients experience it to one degree or another at certain point during the session. In addition, there is usually some measure of soreness immediately after the treatment which can last up to an entire day. However, the pain of the Deep Tissue massage therapy and the lingering soreness afterwards is nothing compared to the pain before the treatment and it comes with the knowledge that it will all be over very shortly. The massage therapist may suggest applying an icepack to the sore area but it is rarely severe enough to warrant it.

When most massage therapies are aimed at relaxation of the body and mind and the massage is generally applied to the entire body, the Deep Tissue massage sets its sights on precise problematic areas such as those afflicted with:

Chronic or acute pains Diminished mobility or limited range of motion. Healing areas after traumas or injuries caused by falls, sports injuries, whiplashes from car accidents and so on. Strains from repetitive motion such as the carpal tunnel syndrome. Pains due to incorrect posturing of the body. Pains from osteoarthritis. According to a study conducted and reported by the Consumer Reports magazine, over 34,000 people classified Deep Tissue massage therapy as being more effective in alleviating osteoarthritis pain than physical therapy, exercise, prescribed or over-the-counter drugs, glucosamine, diets, acupuncture or chiropractic treatments. Fibromyalgia. Statistics have shown that Deep Tissue massage is more successful in easing symptoms of Fibromyalgia than any other available curative remedy. Muscle tension, contractions or spasms.

To flush out metabolic waste from the massaged tissues, clients should drink plenty of water after the Deep Tissue massage therapy and enjoy the fact that they are as good as new again.

THE FOOT MASSAGE

Some 2,500 ago and during Lord Buddha’s time in ancient India, a physician named Jivaka Komarabhacca developed a complex massage system which somehow ended up in Thailand where it was on by word of mouth from one generation to the next and is still practiced today in much the same way as it was so many centuries ago. When the Thai alphabet was developed under King Ramkamhaeng the Great, scholars began recording all aspect of Thai society, culture and healing practices which, of course, included massage therapy. Unfortunately, future generation had little left as almost all was destroyed when Thailand’s capital of Ayuthaya was captured by the Burmese invaders in 1776. All that remained of the recorded ancient traditions was that which, under the directives of King Rama III who wanted to preserve as much as possible, was engraved on the walls of Wat Poh, one of the most famous temples in Bangkok.

Based on the ancient teachings regarding massage therapies, many different kinds are practiced in modern day Thailand. The Foot massage is one of the most interesting of them all due to the fact that its principles are simple while its practice is quite a bit more complicated as the force which is applied to the foot by the massaging hands must be exceedingly accurate as it is directed toward particular nerves of the foot. The Thai believe that each part of the foot has a direct link to another remotely located part of the body such as a vital organ or a system. Therefore, applying pressure and massaging a certain area of the foot influences the soft tissues of that particular area of the foot as well as the other.

As a general rule, the Foot massage is much more effective when the foot is bare as opposed to being clad with socks or stockings. There are several basic techniques that are used by just about every Foot massage therapist and they are:

Sweeping and Rubbing. Most Foot massages begin with bringing an

increased supply of blood into the foot by rubbing its surface lightly but long enough to create the desired warmth and the rhythm of movement.

Thumb Walking. The thumbs are used to apply more direct and firm pressure to various parts of the foot as well as to loosen the tense tendons which run along the its outside edge.

Toe Rotation. The toes are very sensitive and care should be taken when manipulating them by either rotating each toe individually or by gently pulling them upwards and outwards while squeezing gently.

Kneading. Kneading is accomplished by firmly but not harshly pressing and rotating the knuckles of a fisted hand back and forth across the sole of the foot, from its heel to its toes.

Cupping. This is a simple squeezing of the entire foot with an up and down motion of one hand while cupping it with the other.

The benefits of a good Foot massage are many:

Firmly pressing and massaging the base of the fourth toe heals an ailing heart. Pressing and massaging the base of the second toe stimulates the lungs and the bronchial system for improved breathing. Pressing and rolling the area between the first and second thumb relieves headaches. Massaging between the third and fourth toe relaxes tired eyes and improves

vision. Stretching and pulling the big toe alleviates pain caused by sinusitis. Rotating pressure at the ball of the foot will ease stomachaches and heal the kidneys, the bladder and the entire excretory system. Applying pressure to the front of the heel delivers remedial effects to the male and female genital glands. Stretching the skin backwards and forwards under both sides of the anklebone is therapeutic to the reproductive tracts of men and women. Pulling the knuckle of any toe backwards along the instep eases spinal pain and improves posture. Holding the foot between two hands and rubbing the top of the foot between the first and second toe with one thumb which rubbing the top of the foot between the fourth and the fifth toe with the other, relieves pain of the inner ear and the chest. Massaging the inner and outer edges of the foot is beneficial to the diaphragm. Pushing and massaging the soft spot beneath the anklebone reduces the pain from the sciatic nerve and stimulates the lymphatic system to cleanse the body of bacteria and toxins. Enfolding and rotating the toes achieves overall relaxation and a sense of wellbeing. With so much pressing, massaging, rolling, gyrating, pulling, stretching and stroking; all the soft tissues of the foot itself become relaxed and invigorated.

THE HAND AND ARM MASSAGE

From the moment we wake up until the moment we fall asleep, we all work with our hands, as they are our anatomical tools with which we perform the day-today tasks of living; the simple as well as the complex. Some of us use our hands to a greater extent than others in which case they may become painful, tense and stiff. And since the hands are connected to the arms, chances are that the same hard work which applies to the hands also applies to the arms. As a consequence, the arms may suffer similar pains, tenseness and stiffness. A mere five to ten minute Hand and Arm massage can literally work miracles in relieving all these unpleasant indications. However, a good Hand and Arm massage also brings with it a whole battery of other health benefits.

As a matter of fact, our hands and arms have scores of acupressure and reflexology points which are correlated and linked to a number of vital internal organs (appendix, pancreas, gall bladder, kidneys, stomach, brain, spleen, heart, bladder, colon, intestines, lungs) and to other remote parts of the body (sinuses, thyroid and parathyroid, hips, ovaries, testes, uterus, penis, prostate, spine, solar plexus, thymus, shoulders, knees, neck). A Hand and Arm massage, therefore, does not only result in healing the hands and arms but it also provides curative effects for such cases as poor blood circulation, arthritis, headaches, neck and shoulder pains, backache, digestive and reproductive problems, and so on and on.

Hand and Arm massages are one of the easiest massages to perform on oneself and on others, and they can be safely applied anywhere and to persons of all ages and genders; infants, young children, teens, adults and senior citizens. Furthermore, Hand and Arm massages are harmless to people who are dealing with most health issues, whether they are slight, moderate or severe. Hand and Arm massages provide instant relief from stress, anxiety and nervousness as it relaxes the entire body. However, Hand and Arm massages should never be performed on hands or arms that are affected by any kind of skin disease,

infection, inflammation, swelling, bruises, cuts or recently broken bones, torn ligaments, ripped tendons or surgeries. If and when oils or lotions are to be used during the Hand and Arm massage therapy, an earnest verification regarding allergies should be made and any pressure applied must be tailored to the client’s tolerance level to pain or discomfort.

A full Hand and Arm massage should ideally begin with the biceps, the muscles in front of the upper arms and those should be pressed and stroked upwards along the biceps from the elbows toward the shoulders and then back and forth across the tendons. When the biceps have had their thorough workout the triceps, the muscles in the back of the upper arms, should be approached with similarly gentle pressing and stroking movement but this time moving downwards from the armpits down to the elbows. Moving on down the arms by kneading the flesh, pressing the muscles and stroke the tendons; the massage therapist should slowly make his or her way toward the hand that is awaiting its turn for a therapeutic workout. The hand portion of the Hand and Arm massage treatment should begin by gently pulling each finger and thumb away from the palm it attach to, while applying firm pressure to any painful or aching areas and then soothing them with moderate rubbing and rolling. The four fingers and the thumb should then be pushed upwards as far as they will go without causing undue discomfort. The thumbs should be used to massage the palms of the hands by applying firm circular motions through the entire palm while intermittently stopping in various areas, particularly those which are sore, to apply steady and direct pressure for a number of seconds. For a soothing effect on the palms and in closing of the Hand and Arm massage therapy session, the thumbs should stroke the surface of the palms in an up and down movements.

A therapeutic Hand and Arm massage can display love, appreciation and devotion more explicitly than any other free gift that anyone can think of. Just ask anyone who has ever been on the receiving or giving end of one.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY

In an attempt to understand how and why massage therapy is as effective as it seems to be, scientists and medical researchers from around the world have been studying it for decades. Some characteristics of massage therapy have been conclusively resolved with apparent consensus among the learned scholars, while other characteristics remain as inexplicably mysterious as ever. For instance, they all agree that when a certain amount of pressure is applied to a soft tissue such as a muscle, some changes occur within the affected muscles. They also all tend to agree that massage therapy promotes relaxation and reduces the stress which often leads to deterioration or worsening of certain physiological conditions.

Those characteristics of massage therapy which have not yet been explained by conventional science, gave rise to a number of theories and postulates. You will note that they are all prefaced with the word “might” to indicate uncertainty as they described possible health benefits of massage therapy:

Might provide stimulation that may help block pain signals transmitted to the brain and this is called the “gate control theory” of decreasing or alleviating pain.

Might promote better health by stimulating the lymphatic system to increase the flow of lymph, which is the secretion that carries disease fighting cells through the body.

Might re-route the client’s nervous system away from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic. In doing so, the fight-or-flight reaction of the sympathetic nervous system with its increased heart and breathing rates along with tightened

muscles of distress are shunned in favor of the rest-and-digest reaction of the parasympathetic nervous system with its lowered heart rate, slowed breathing and relaxed muscles.

Might be instrumental in effecting beneficial changes in the body by preventing fibrosis through the process of breaking up scar-like tissue

Might arouse the body to discharge chemicals such as serotonin or endorphins which area known to give people the feelings of wellbeing.

Might improve sleep patterns which is essential to pain control and healing processes.

Might contribute to the overall mental and physiological health by the intimate interaction between the client and the therapist.

The following are specific cases and their reported benefits whether they are understood or merely observed with bewilderment:

Students at a New Jersey Medical School who were given massage therapy before an exam displayed less anxiety, lower respiratory rates, a substantial increase in white blood cells and an enhanced immune system.

Cancer patients at the James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio experienced less pain and decreased anxiety after receiving massage therapies than those who did not get such treatments.

Studies at the University of South Carolina show that women who recently lost a child were less depressed after massage therapy.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that massage therapy improved weight gain in infants who were premature or those who were exposed to HIV. They also determined that massage therapy expedites recovery in patients who had abdominal surgery.

Researchers at the University of the Miami School of Medicine’s Touch Research Institute discovered that massage therapy decreases high blood pressure, relieves migraine headaches, and generally increases alertness and performance in the workforce.

Many additional studies confirm that massage therapy reduces heart rates, lowers blood pressure; increases blood circulation and lymph flow; relaxes stiffened and tense muscles while stimulating weak and inactive muscles to compensate for lack of movement due to an illness or an injury; speeds up the healing process after surgeries, disease and injuries; improves the range of vision; increases endorphins; reduces anxiety, tension, depression, pain and itching in burn patients; and Autistic children exhibit calmer and more predictable behavior.

So, is massage therapy beneficial? Yes! Massage therapy is beneficial on, oh, so many levels. The mechanics of the process may not be clear just yet, but the outcomes are undeniable by anyone’s standards.

THE HOT STONE MASSAGE

The Hot Stone massage is a therapeutic massage technique in which a heated stone is held by the massage therapist who uses it to apply the customary and traditional Swedish massage strokes. Because they have the tendency to absorb heat and retain it for extended periods of time, the stones which are used are usual smooth, black volcanic basalt rocks of various sizes and shapes. For the most part, these rocks are heated in water at 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Native Americans are known to also have used hot stones for medicinal purposes but those were heated by direct fire. This technique of fire-heated stones was restored by Mary Nelson, a native of Tucson, Arizona and she trademarked it as LaStone Therapy.

Primarily due to the effects of the heat from the stones, the Hot Stone massage is profoundly calming and delightfully relaxing as it rapidly releases the tension out of every soft tissue, be it muscle, tendon or ligament, which is included in this treatment while gentle and comforting peace washes over the client almost immediately. The hot stones are used throughout the entire session to massage, to stroke, to press, to manipulate and to knead the client’s soft tissues. On occasion, heated stones are laid out to rest at strategic spots along the spine as well as in the palms of the client’s hands and between the toes. This maneuver promotes the optimal flow of energy throughout the entire body. As soon as the stones cool down, the massage therapist will replace them with newly heated ones but areas that are inflamed, injured or swollen, will often be treated with cold stones instead of the hot ones.

To derive the most out of the Hot Stone massage therapy, clients are encouraged to:

Indicate any discomforts such as those which might be created by stones which

are too hot, by the massage therapist applying pressure with too much force, by the background music which may be too loud, by the room temperature which could be too hot or too cold and so on.

Refrain from consuming a heavy meal and to abstain from ingesting any amount of alcohol shortly before the session.

Arrive in plenty of time to check in and to relax before the treatment.

Take a sauna, a steam bath or a hot tub before the session as it will relax and soften the muscles for better end results from the entire treatment. If the hot tub was treated with chlorine, the clients are asked to take hot showers in order to rinse off the chemical.

Remove all their clothing and be assured that they will remain completely covered with a towel. This will give the massage therapist better access and direct with the skin.

Take slow, deep breaths throughout the session as it helps to relax the body and release more toxins.

To banish irrelevant thoughts from racing through their heads by concentrating on the feel of the therapist’s movements over their bare skins.

Get off the massage table after the session very slowly as dizziness may set in otherwise.

Absorb the full results of the massage treatment by allowing some quiet time in a peaceful place.

Drink extra water after the massage to flush out and wash away the toxins released during the treatment.

The Hot Stone massage is beneficial in many ways as it promotes deep muscle and soft tissue relaxation, eases stress, releases toxins, alleviates pain, improves circulation and calms the mind. Quite appropriately, therefore, there is an impressive list of ailments which are treated with Hot Stone massages and they are:

Muscle aches and pains due to over use, injury or stress. Back pain caused by injury, poor posture or misuse. Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Arthritis. Fibromyalgia. Stress, anxiety, nervousness and depression. Insomnia. Any number of circulatory problems.

The Hot Stone massage requires specialized training, it involved more preparation time for disinfecting and heating the stones, the session are often somewhat longer than usual and more time is spent cleaning up. As a

consequence, the Hot Stone massage tends to be more costly than any other conventional and basic Swedish massage. But it is worth it and you are worthy of it!

THE INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

Its origins stem from an Indian remedial and grooming practice which had been and continues to be part of the Indian daily ritual for over 4,000 years. The ancient Indians believed that when energy channels become blocked and the flow of positive energy is obstructed, negative energy builds up and increasingly leads to a wide array of ailments and dysfunctions such as stress, depression, poor sleeping habits, localized and remote pains and aches, hampered and sluggish blood circulation, overall poor health, as well as loss of hair or baldness. The main focus and intent of the Indian Head massage, therefore, is to open up the blockages and to allow the positive energy to flow freely through the entire body and in the process to get rid of the amassed negative energy.

Indians in times of yore, young and old and mostly women but not exclusively, sat in large groups and massaged each other’s heads. They began by applying a variety of nut and grain oils (coconut, almond, olive or sesame) which were to nourish the hair and scalp while, at the same time, the massage promoted improved circulation. Today’s modern Indians get their head massage treatments regularly in beauty salons and barber shops.

The Indian Head massage was introduced into the Western world in the early years of the 1970s by Narendra Mehta, a native of Bombay, India and an osteopath and a massage therapist. As countless techniques for the Indian Head massage were ed down through the generations, Mr. Mehta developed his own particular technique by integrating the head, neck, and shoulder and massage into a single robust therapy which promotes and elevates the body to heightened states of physical, mental and spiritual health and wellness. Mr. Mehta branded his comprehensive massage treatment as Champissage. Champi means “head massage” in Indian and it is also, by the way, the origin of the English word “shampoo.” With the help of Mr. Mehta’s promotional campaign, Champissage rapidly gained popularity in Europe and elsewhere around the world, and he summarizes his own belief which, in fact, echoes the belief of his

ancestors by making the following statement out of his current home base in London: “Unfortunately, in the West, many people worry about their hair's health only when they start to lose it. Healthy hair should be promoted from childhood with the help of regular massage.”

The body has seven chakras which are centers that regulate the flow of energy all through the body. Champissage works on the top three energy centers or chakras which are found on the crown of the head, the forehead and the throat as it aims to bring the entire body into corrected alignment and proper balance. The resulting effects are strong, silky and shiny hair, relief from stress, restful sleep patterns, increased energy and sharpened mental clarity.

The Indian Head Massage or the Champissage is performed in a quiet place where the client can sit comfortably on a chair and the massage therapist can either stand or sit directly behind him or her. The sequence of the treatment is as follows:

The shoulders. Gently squeezing the trapezoid muscles at the base of the neck and moving outward toward the shoulders. This is repeated three times while slightly increasing the pressure.

The neck. The neck is massaged with small circular motions, beginning at the collarbone and ending at the hairline. This is repeated three times.

The sides of the neck are then stroked with a rolling motion beginning under the jawbone and ending at the shoulders. This is repeated three times.

Avoiding the vertebrae, the back of the neck is pressed with a gliding and

rotating motion from the collar bone up to the hairline and it is repeated five times.

The head. The head is moved slowly and gently forward and backward three times.

The entire area of the scalp is massaged with rolling gentle pressure four or five times and then the scalp is rubbed briskly without causing pain for a full minute.

The hair. Fingers are run through the hair from the forehead back three times.

The temples. The temples are worked with small circular massaging and pressing movements three times.

The end. Slowly stroking the entire head area from the forehead to the back for a minute and progressively making the strokes lighter and lighter.

THE KOREAN MARTIAL THERAPY

The Korean Martial Therapy, also well known by its acronym KMT, had been recognized for its effectiveness in keeping warriors in their topmost forms after as well as before battles. The Korean Martial Therapy, therefore, became widely used and closely associated with the numerous Korean martial arts since the 17th century.

A newly developed Korean martial art, combining several old Korean martial arts and the Japanese Aikido discipline, was introduced in Korea in the latter part of the 19th century as Hapkido. Today, Hapkido is one of the most popular martial arts in Korea as well as elsewhere around the world and has become closely linked to the Korean Martial Therapy.

The Korean Martial Therapy made its way into the United State via Jae Kwon Yun, a master in Korean martial arts specializing in Hapkido for many years, who opened a school of Korean Martial Therapy where he integrated the combative aspect of Hapkido with the therapeutic aspect of the Korean Martial Therapy. This, in his opinion, formed a perfectly balanced modality.

Now that we have covered some of its background history, let us look at the Korean Martial Therapy itself and its technique of deep tissue massage as it is performed in either a sitting position or reclining flat on a massage table. The fundamental principle of the Korean Martial Therapy is to utilize a variety of sinuous movements performed by the client to promote the therapeutic effects on the body and the spirit. Traditionally, the Korean Martial Therapy was facilitated by a trained therapist or a practitioner who guided the client’s body into the correct movements and positions. However, the Korean Martial Therapy can be just as easily accomplished as a self-directed therapy without losing any of its curative values.

Another crucially important principle of the Korean Martial Therapy is the notion that the same movements that can lead to pain, damage and destruction on the battle field can also be used to provide healing in a peaceful arena. In other words, the Korean Martial Therapy works on the premise that anything that can hurt can also do the opposite; it can cure. And in fact, many of the pressure points along the gi meridians used in Korean Martial Therapy for promoting positive energy for restoring health are likewise used in Hapkido as points for promoting negative energy and agony.

Initially having been created for the battlefield to relieve combatants of their pain and suffering, the Korean Martial Therapy primarily strives for instant curative results. And that is in direct opposition to other alternative healing techniques which aspire for long term effects of weeks or months or even years into the future. The Korean Martial Therapy is made up of a varied combination of techniques and the most frequently used among them are the conventional massaging strokes, ballistic stretching, applying deliberate pressure to specific points along the body, the yin yang therapy and the Korean energy work. Since the Korean Martial Therapy makes the most of the body movements used in martial arts, it relieves the therapist from doing much of the work and it has, therefore, been favored by many practitioners.

Perhaps the Korean Martial Therapy has not had must use on the modern-day battle fields as it had in the past, but it certainly is great for treating the more contemporary conditions such as repetitive motion syndromes, stress and muscle strain as well as depression, anxiety, migraine headaches, and sport injuries.

THE SHIATSU MASSAGE

Literally translated from Japanese, “Shiatsu” means “finger pressure” and it was incorporated into the Japanese culture approximately 1,500 years ago. Today, the Shiatsu Massage is, in fact, just one out of a large assortment of Japanese massage methods known as Nihon Kaifuku Anma. The Shiatsu Massage is the best known among them all and the one most often used in Japan and elsewhere around the world. It is based on the meridian system ed down from ancient Chinese arts of healing as well as old Japanese teachings. Stated very briefly, meridians are the conduits or energy channels by which gi and blood continually flow through the body. Any interference with this flow of energy translates in an imbalance within the body which leads to an energy that is either depleted (kyoto) or overactive (jitsu) and symptoms of illness and disease occur. There are twelve major meridians which are directly associated with vital internal organs: kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, lungs, pericardium, bladder, gall bladder, stomach, small and large intestines as well as the body’s temperature regulating system. The Yin (negative) meridians flow upwards while the yang (positive) meridians flow downwards.

Also known as acupressure and quite similar to acupuncture in that the same points are used, the Shiatsu Massage is a technique by which the massage therapist applies pressure, tapping, squeezing, stretching and rubbing of the client’s body by using his or her thumbs, fingers, palms, knuckles, elbows, knees and feet (not needles as in acupuncture) along the meridians to unclog ages in order to get the gi energy to flow optimally. Being a “touch communication” and an effective preventive Eastern medicine, the first and foremost goal of the Shiatsu Massage is to refine and perfect the body’s natural functions before health issues appear rather than after. The human body, in the Shiatsu philosophy, is viewed as a microcosmic miniature universe within the entire universe and both are reigned over by the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) and the yin and the yang. In a healthy state of body and mind, no element is dominant over any other element and that is what is to be strived for.

The Shiatsu Massage is performed while the client is wearing loose clothing of natural fibers and reclining on a floor mat. As the treatment works deeply on the entire being, the physiological, psychological, and the spiritual, a variety of reactive emotions may come to the surface and the client may experience bouts of crying, laughing, joyous exclamations or mere stillness. These are all positive signs that the body is amending old energy patterns.

As one might expect, the benefits of the Shiatsu Massage are many but the most commonly recognized are the following:

Calming of nervousness as well as reducing mental anxiety and depression. Improvement of the blood circulation and, with it, the flow of gi and fresh oxygen. Lowering high blood pressure and reducing of stress. Relaxing deep muscles and other soft tissues (tendons, ligaments, ts, connective tissue and skin). Relieving symptomatic aches and pains (headaches, backaches, stiff or pulled muscles and leg cramps) due to stress, overuse, menopause, constipation and so on and on. Improving respiratory and digestive systems. Alleviating the symptoms of arthritis, Releasing and clearing out metabolic waste and toxins. Enhancing the body’s immune system for disease prevention. Increasing flexibility and the range of motion. Raising mental and spiritual awareness and clarity. Promoting the overall feeling of energy, vigor, rejuvenation and wellness.

Have a Shiatsu Massage and thrive.

THE SPORTS MASSAGE

Describing it in a nutshell, the Sports Massage is a specialty massage technique that was created and developed with athletes in mind. And as such, the Sports Massage prepares the bodies of professional and amateur sportspersons for their best possible performance before participating in a sport and it then helps their bodies to recover afterwards. However, just because the Sports Massage was designed for those participating in sports, you do not have to be an athlete to reap the benefits from it. After all, athletes are not the only people who get injured and they by no means hold the monopoly on pain.

The Sports Massage is, in effect, one of several forms of the Swedish massage and it promotes an increased circulation of blood and lymph fluids in the body. To break down or dissolve adhesions, which are painful clumps or knots within the muscles, and to widen the range of motion of stiffened ts, trigger point therapy is incorporated as part of the Sports Massage session. There are four different types of Sports Massage therapies and their distinction is made primarily by its time of performance in relations to the athlete’s sport activity. In other words, it is mainly their timing which makes them different from one another. The four types of Sports Massages are designated as follows:

Pre-Event Sports Massage. The Pre-Event Sport Massage is a vigorous but shortened massage treatment that lasts anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes and is performed right before the sports event. Its main focus is on those specific parts of the athlete’s body which will be most intensively involved in the action.

Post-Event Sports Massage. The Post-Event Sport Massage is performed within an hour or two of the event and its aim is to return bodies to their normal state by helping them recover from the hard work in the shortest

time possible.

Restorative Sports Massage. The Restorative Sports Massage is applied while the athlete is in training and it helps him or her practice harder while, at the same time, decreasing the chances of incurring injuries.

Rehabilitative Sports Massage. The Rehabilitative Sports Massage is there to pick up the proverbial pieces by treating the injuries which resulted from the exertion of the sport. The foremost objective of Rehabilitative Sports Massage is to relieve pain and to return the body to its former, pre-injury state.

So, whether you are a professional or an amateur athlete or simply a citizen of the world who happens to have a precise problem such as a sore knee from your morning jog around the block or a frozen should because you slept on the wrong side of the bed or a stiff back because you forgot to use your legs when lifting the grocery back and so on, do yourself a favor and see a Sports Massage therapist. And the best way to find one is by getting referrals from reliable sources or by doing some research. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) suggests that you ask the following questions when interviewing a potential Sports Massage therapist or any other type of massage therapist, for that matter:

Did you graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)? Are you licensed or ed as a massage therapist in this state? Are you certified by the national Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)?

Do you have training in any specific massage modalities?

Beyond all that, you should just relax and enjoy the process while your body is being directed onto the path of healing.

THE SWEDISH MASSAGE

The Swedish Massage, which was conceived by Henri Peter Ling, a Swedish physiologist at the University of Stockholm, was publicly introduced in 1812 as a means of improving blood circulation, of relieving muscle stress and pain, of increasing flexibility and of promoting total relaxation of the body and mind. The Swedish Massage was imported into the United States in the 1850s by Charles and George Taylor, two American brothers practicing medicine in New York who opened the first two Swedish clinics in the New World; the first in Boston, Massachusetts and the second in Washington, D. C. where Ulysses. S. Grant, a famed general during the American Civil War and the 18th President of the United States (1869 – 1877), allegedly frequented regularly for Swedish Massage treatments.

Since its inception in the early part of the 19th century, the Swedish Massage had become one of the most widely used massage techniques in the Western world and it is the basis for a number of other Western massage therapies which include the Sports Massage, the Deep Tissue Massage and the Aromatherapy. To attain its objectives, the Swedish Massage utilizes seven basic therapeutic movements:

Effleurage. These are long gliding and soothing strokes which are aimed toward the heart while tracing the natural curves of the body. Massage oils are often used to facilitate smooth movement and to warm the muscles.

Petrissage. These are movements which use strokes that lift, roll or knead soft body tissues. This process draws blood into the area and helps relax tense muscles and fascia as well as the rest of the body.

Pinpoint Pressure. These movements are directed toward points that are knotted or hardened and painful to the touch. Pressure is directed to these points in order to break them down and release the muscle.

Deep Friction. These are very small circular movements which press slightly below the surface of the skin and onto the muscle beneath it. These strokes relax muscles which contracted and tensed due to overuse or as a result of emotional stress at their deeper levels.

Skin Rolling. This movement involves pinching a fold of skin and moving it forward in a rolling motion. This process lifts skin off its connective tissues to promote better blood circulation for the improvement of skin tone.

Tapotement. This movement requires rhythmical tapping with cupped hands or with hands set in the karate-chop position. This practice awakens the body into vitality and the tingling sensation of energy and health.

Finger Brushing. This movement is usually performed at the closing of the Swedish Massage treatment session as fingertips are lightly brushing against the surface of the skin to relax the stimulated muscles while calming the nervous system.

The most outstanding health benefits of the Swedish massage are in:

Relaxing of tired, tense or overused muscles. Improving blood circulation without overburdening the heart.

Increasing flexibility and widening the range of motion by stretching the body’s soft tissues: muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, ts and connective tissues. Stimulating the nervous system while simultaneously relaxing the nerve endings. Decreasing the recovery time of strained muscles by cleansing the tissues of lactic acid and uric acid as well as all other toxins and metabolic wastes. Bringing the skin to a healthier and more vibrant appearance of wellness. Helping the client achieve a feeling of connectedness and body awareness for maintaining a better posture and stance. Alleviating pain and any associated discomfort due to muscle tension, fractures, sprains, sciatica and stiff ts. Reducing emotion distress.

THE ZEN MASSAGE

There are very many massage techniques in existence today; some of them stemming from the far Eastern World of antiquity while others originated in the more recent years of the Western world. Although they were born out of very different philosophical and cultural persuasions, each of these obtainable massage techniques provides some aspects of relaxation but none does it as thoroughly as does the one which was born in Austin, Texas and christened as the Zen Massage. Zen, by the way, is an ancient Chinese discipline which means “meditation” and it focuses on the meditative portion of the dharma practice and the experiential wisdom which is also called the zazen or the path of enlightenment. It, therefore, steers away from theoretical knowledge and theology.

By reaching into the very heart of hearts of every cell of the body, the Zen Massage epitomizes what utter and unequivocal calm, peace and a relaxed state of being feels. Combining an assortment of highly sophisticated and time tested and proven techniques, the Zen Massage affords its subjects a spontaneous soothing and an energy balanced experience of picture perfect enormity. The various features which are part and parcel of the entirely therapeutic Zen Massage treatment are as follows:

The Heated Stones. This is a curative procedure which makes use of hot stones which are moved along the subject’s muscles in smooth gliding motions and well calculated pressure.

The Hot Towel Pore Cleanse. This purifying treatment involves the use of freshly steamed towels applied to the entire body. The heat of the towels opens the pores to cleanse and revitalize the outer skin (epidermis) while also reaching into the lower layers, the dermis and the hypodermis.

The Bio Mat. The Bio Mat calms down and relaxes tight and sore muscles while it quiets and soothes irritated nerves. The Bio Mat transports the subject into the realm of a complete state of wellbeing on the physical as well as on the psychological levels.

The Aromatherapy. Pure essential oils are used for this aromatherapy treatment to help the subject relax as stress is melted away and complete balance and wellness overcome him or her.

The Peppermint Bliss Foot Massage. The peppermint bliss foot massage soothes and softens tired and aching feet for a feeling of harmony and peace which radiate from the tips of the toes to the crown of the head.

The Zen Massage therapy is a noninvasive and natural massage treatment which has been clinically proven to be completely safe while being highly effective in relieving stress which has also been proven to be the leading cause of countless physiological and mental health problems. Some of the most significant benefits that have been attributed to the effectiveness of the Zen Massage therapy are:

The lowering of high blood pressure which in medical is referred to as hypertension and has been often spoken about as the “silent killer.”

The improvement of the REM sleep. The REM stands for rapid eye movement and it is characterized by, you guessed it, rapid eye movements. It also includes rapid low voltage EEG which is commonly spoken of as brain waves. On the average, a healthy adult spends approximately 20 to 25 percent of a total night’s sleep in the REM phase and it is essential to good health.

The decrease of fatigue of the body and the mind which naturally leads to enhanced concentration and improved motor skills.

In conclusion, the Zen Massage therapy helps its subjects to release their worries, unwind their bodies, relax their tensions, quiet their minds and ease their senses.

About the Author

C.X. Cruz was born in Puerto Rico and have lived in the New York City area since he was 14 years old. He holds graduate degrees from the State University of New York and Honolulu University in Computer Science. He has worked for European investment banks such as UBS, and for American banks such as Goldman Sachs. His hobbies include forestry and rowing.

As a very young graduate student, Cruz thought of publishing books. It was extremely difficult to publish a book using the traditional methods 30 years ago. He gave up on this publishing dream back then. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to become a self-publisher today. The internet has democratized many businesses such book publishing. Cruz can bring you great content and a great price. Never stop reading and learning. Cruz knows you will enjoy reading his books!

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