Archive for the ‘ Types ’ Category

What Is a Chinese Massage Therapy?

Developed and was used mainly in China 5000 years ago, this type of massage therapy is now a popular method used on almost all massage spas today. Chinese massage therapy or Tui Na in China is popular due to its effective healing and relaxing benefits. It is a combination of ancient Chinese medicines which includes Chinese acupuncture, Chinese herbalism, and many others.

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Like most Asian type of therapeutic massage, Tui Na or Chinese massage therapy focuses mainly on the energy points of the patient. These energies are called qi (chi) and are found all over the body of a human being. Any blocked path way or energy lines are strictly treated and corrected in order to maintain a healthy condition for the patient. The Chinese, like most Asians believe that the energies or qi in the human body should be aligned and stay in balance to prevent the body from collapsing and falling prey to the various diseases that awaits the drop of its immunity. The Chinese calls an unhealthy person as a person with imbalanced energies within the body.

This manipulative therapy uses many different healing techniques on its patient. Most of these are focused on the key areas or meridian points of the patient’s body. Acupuncture is an art of using thin needles inserted on the meridian points of the body to release tension, remove toxin and to correct the energy lines of the patient. These are carefully inserted inside the body of the patient to enhance the healing ability of the human body. This should be done only by skilled, experienced and knowledgeable massage therapists. Chinese herbs are also applied and used over the body of the patient to help soothe and relax the body while massage therapy is used all over it. These herbs are heated and applied on the body so that the warmth of the leaves as well as the juice will be absorbed by the body to improve healing and relaxation of the muscles tissue. The massage therapist uses massage strokes and techniques such as kneading, pressing, and tapping during a Chinese massage therapy. These strokes are used with the palms, fingers, and knuckles with many massage stroke variations and applied pressure depending on the massage therapist and the patient’s preference. All of these techniques aim in improving the flow of energy and unblocking the channels where qi enters in and out all over the body.

Benefits expected after a Chinese massage therapy are both physical and mental benefits. Acupuncture as mentioned earlier helps in releasing toxins, relieving pain, and removing physical and mental stress. An increase in circulation and improvement in the respiratory system are also positive effects of a good Chinese massage therapy. Although it is a good, natural way of healing the body, there are some problems that it can’t cure such as acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems. However, like most massage therapy, it has fewer side effects and it is much safer than any of the modern medical treatment today.

Using Massage to Reduce Cellulite

Can cellulite massage get rid of that dimpled skin on your thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen?

First, let’s look at what cellulite is. According to the Mayo Clinic, as fat cells beneath the skin enlarge, they push up against the skin. At the same time, connective cords that attach the skin to the underlying muscle pull down. The effect is an uneven surface or dimpling, called cellulite.

Women are far more likely than men to develop cellulite. One big factor in who develops the condition may be genetics. Other risk factors for developing cellulite include stress, inactivity, and using hormonal contraceptives.

Using Massage for Cellulite

Cellulite massage is based on the theory that vigorous massage will reduce excess fluid, increase blood flow, and remove toxins in the areas with cellulite, leading to reduced fatty deposits.

While massage will probably not completely remove cellulite, massage may improve how the cells function and temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite. Helpful massage techniques may include draining, stroking, smoothing, and cupping. Although cellulite massage rollers are available for home use, no evidence suggests they are effective.

One cellulite massage option often available in spas is Lipomassage, which uses a hand-held machine to knead you skin between rollers. Although Lipomassage claims that it can permanently get rid of stubborn fat that is resistant to physical exercise and dieting, the Mayo Clinic writes that you may see a slight improvement after this treatment, but the results are temporary.

An interesting side note is that two medical therapies being tested for cellulite include massage. One therapy combines negative tissue massage, infrared light, and radiofrequency. Another therapy combines massage with diode laser energy.

The use of massage for cellulite is controversial. Some people say it works great, while others say, at best, massage temporarily reduces the appearance of cellulite. If you want to try massage for cellulite, ask your massage therapist what you can expect from the treatments and how long it will take to see results.

Aromatherapy Massage for Cellulite

Massage with essential oil blends may also help reduce the appearance of cellulite. One possible blend is:
2 drops fennel
2 drops juniper
5 drops bergamot
5 drops cypress
5 drops geranium
5 drops grapefruit
2 ounces vegetable oil

Combine the oils. For home use, rub the blend directly on cellulite once a day. (Spot test the blend first to make sure you are not sensitive to it.) Or ask your massage therapist about aromatherapy massage.

All About Massage and Its Benefits

Every day of our lives we are faced with different stresses, from diverse forms and from various circumstances. A strain from hard day’s work, in school, in our homes and up to our relationships with other people is really considered a total stress. Some of us may have learned to deal with it but there are also some who unfortunately failed to manage it. However, there can be times too that we just take it for granted without even knowing how stress affects the whole of us, especially our health. Each of our body systems for all we know, is slowly disturbed by these stresses causing or aggravating then some of the chronic serious diseases that we least expect.

So, how do we manage it then? One good technique and is widely used stress management from all walks of life is the massage. Massage therapy has been proven and tested to relax and relieve our body and mind from all the anxieties and worries we experience in life even just for a few hours of the session. In addition, it is at the same time frequently used in alleviating pain and in mending injuries, especially in sports. Furthermore, digging up to how it really works for our health, the use of a message has indeed helped in improving problems with high blood pressure, muscle spasms, cramps and atrophy and in some cases, increasing the number of cancer fighting cells in our body by stimulating flow of our lymphatic system.

In a broader sense, massage therapists do the procedures like pressing, rubbing and manipulating the muscles and some soft tissues in the parts of our body. They usually use their fingers and hands, and in some, their elbows, forearms and even their feet in performing the different body strokes and movements. The term massage covers various methods and ways in order to serve us its purpose well. Some examples of this therapy include acupressure, shiatsu, Thai, deep tissue and Swedish massage which vary in some ways. Moreover, the use of some equipments also aid in this relaxing procedure and new trends now encompass massage chairs aside from having to use oils and rocks. There are many available massage chairs to choose in the market today such as robotic massage chairs and the Panasonic massage chairs. These two are of good benefit most especially in neck and back pains. These are indeed stress busters.

The power of massage therapy has been beneficial for years now. Aside from it, this is one of the most readily available and easily performed techniques to reduce stress and keep us relaxed. However, upon doing this practice, it should be taken careful consideration as there are cases in which a massage is highly contraindicated. Right knowledge and the proper skills and expertise must go together in performing massage to provide its therapeutic effect well. The healing power that this therapy has is considered by many a great alternative measure in undertaking the harmful results of our everyday hassles in life.

Tips for a Healthy Massage

A whole day of work can bring exhaust and health problems to our bodies. Why not have a massage rest in the evening or noon breaks? It is a good idea to do exchange massage between two partners, for massage can make whole body relaxed and reduce some illness risks. However, bad massage could cause serious body injury, so it’s necessary to know some tips for healthy massage.

Keep your hands in good conditions

You are not advised to make use of lotions or oils at the start of a massage. They can be helpful only if massage hand are in good conditions. Hands are considered as most important tools for good massage. It’s better to keep hands warm, clean and tender, which makes massage comfortable and healthy. Unclean hands may pass virus to the massage receivers. Fingernails should also be kept well not to leave skin injury on the one who take your massage.

Keep proper posture

Body relaxation plays a important role in massage. Good posture can help keep receivers’ body relaxed. Receivers are advised to lie down without benting parts. You can put something under the feet of the receiver, which help him keep balance of whole body and reduce pressure on the lower parts of his body.

Aware massage reactions

In massage process, you should be aware of the receiver’s body and feeling reactions. Make sure not to press too hard. Over-pressure on body parts may cause unexpected injuries. You can ask the receiver how he feel. Avoid some massage skills that are likely to cause pain. There are many skills that will not cause discomforts. Take a short break in the process and injury would be less likely to happen.

All in all, massage could release us from work tensions and it can be good for our overall health if we get good command of it.

Foot Massage

Do I need a foot massage? That depends, do you like having good balance, comfortable feet, strong back, lack of tension? I sure do. The great thing to do at the end of the day is kick off our shoes, free our poor feet! All that running, walking, lifting, socks and shoes, no air. How can anyone not need the human touch. This not the situation where we insert a quarter for our feet to be shaken around, but someone genuinely qualified in making us feel better. I highly recommend giving the gift of foot massage, either to yourself or a loved one!

Chinese records dating back 5,000 years document the use of foot massage. The ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians, as well as the Japanese, Romans and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments; and even Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.

In the 21st century modern United States we have learned how to apply and use kinds of traditional massage therapies. We have even developed new forms. One of these forms is foot massage. Your feet do not need to be bare in order to receive a massage, but it is better if they are. If not, your masseuse will probably clean them with a wipe or wet cloth. He/she will then most likely use some sort of oil, and make the room clean and comfortable with dim atmosphere, candles and scents. If you are ticklish, be sure to let them know, as you don’t want to spend the whole foot massage laughing. There are certain feathery touches that they will avoid. You will be seated with your feet up, or on a massage table.

As with all forms of massage, there are a variety of foot massage techniques. Thai Foot Massage or reflexology is one form.

Reflexology originates from an ancient Chinese system and is based on the notion that there are nerve endings in the soles of the feet that correspond to all of the organs of the body such as the liver, kidney or spleen. The gentle and repeated massage of these pressure points stimulates and detoxifies the internal organs and improves circulation to the problem area.

Stress relief is the major benefit experienced by everyone who has a foot massage. There are even some studies that prove that stress levels can be decreased, and the overall health of the body and mind can increase. Numerous medical studies show that decreased stress levels improve the overall health of the body and mind, mentally and physically as well. It is always better to have a massage therapist do it, but if this is impossible, it possible to purchase a foot massage unit designed for use in the home! Why not try it?