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Massage Definition

Professional therapeutic massage is an age-old healing art, which can alleviate physical, mental and emotional ailments. Systematic, scientific manipulation of body tissues with the hands to relieve pain and reduce swelling, relaxmuscles, and speed healing after strains and sprains. It has been used for more than 3, 000 years by the Chinese. Early inthe 19th century. which was later extended to relieve deformities of arthritis and re-educate muscles following paralysis. Manipulationsinclude light or hard stroking, compression (kneading, squeezing, and friction), and percussion (striking with the edges of the hands in rapid alternation). In acupressure, a style of massage derived from China, pressure is exerted on Chinese acupuncture points for healing effects.

Massage is a scientific method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body to have specific effect. Its objective is the restoration of function, release of tension and the re-establishment of the contours where this is desirable.
Massage Therapy is :

• The holistic application of physical touch to affect the systems of the body; ie. the muscular, skeletal, digestive, elimination, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic, endocrine, emotional, mental and nervous systems.
• It is the manipulation the soft tissues of the body with the hands for therapeutic, healing, relaxing and pleasurable effects.
• It is the loving touch of the heart expressed through the hands.
• It is not physiotherapy or any practice of manipulation of the skeletal structure.

Massage Category

There are many different approaches and applications to massage.

Chinese Massage

Chinese massage is the name for a family of massage therapies practiced within traditional Chinese medicine. In traditional Chinese practice, massage is one of the fundamental treatment modalities, along with dietary regulation, herbal medicine, acupuncture / moxibustion, and therapeutic exercise.

Massage as a part of Chinese medical treatment goes back about 4, 000 years. Written massage textbooks began to appear as early as the fourth century B. C. along with the earliest Chinese medical texts. Massage appears to have developed alongside both therapeutic exercise (qigong) and acupuncture, as it depends on the same understanding of the meridians and the flow of qi in the human body. The type of massage known as qi healing, or curing with external qi, was developed by master teachers of qigong.

Foot Massage

Foot massage or foot reflexology has a Chinese origin. It dates back to more than 3, 000 years ago and is used in the prevention and cure of many health ailments. The principle of foot massage rests in the premise that the meridian network connects all tissues, organs and cells in our body. Each organ in the body is connected to a specific reflex point on the foot through the intermediary of 300 nerves. A trained foot reflexologist can put pressure on different meridians or energy lines on the sole and side of the feet to determine the cause of illness.
By using pressure to these the reflex points, the foot massage is good for stimulating the activity internal organs, and to improve blood and lymph circulation. Thus, the top to bottom well being of a person can be made through the foot.
Foot massage is fast gaining much popularity and acceptance as an alternative health treatment. Fans of foot massage believe it can cure not only colds and minor ailments, but more serious ailments as well. These ailments include liver dysfunction, constipation problems, chronic headaches, skin allergies, etc.

Infant Massage

Infant massage has been practiced by other cultures for centuries. Vimala Schneider McClure brought this ancient art to the United States in the 1970's, after she observed the positive effect it had on infants in India. She practiced the Indian massage strokes on her own baby and observed its benefits first hand.

What are the benefits of infant massage?

• Relaxes Infant
  Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness and irritability. Digestion is aided and this can provide relief of gas and colic. Massage is also a wonderful way to lessen stress parent and baby.
• Enhances Bonding
  Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being. Aids Growth and Development Studies have shown increased weight gain, and immune function. Myelination of nerves is also increased. These things in turn are needed for brain and muscle development.
• Promotes Communication
  Parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues. One-on-one communication instills a massage of love and security.
• Improves Baby's Sleep
  As your infant learns to relax and release stress, sounder and longer sleep is often the end result.

Facial Massage

Facial massage is a very popular Western beauty treatment to slow down the aging process and achieve younger looking and healthier skin. It is also used to relieve stress, migraine headache, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and sinus congestion. It may involve a whole massage session, a portion of a whole-body massage or a part of a facial treatment. Facial massage can be done by a professional massage therapist, an esthetician, or a cosmetologist. Simple massage can also be done at home. Massage of the face is usually done with the hands; however, mechanical massaging devices are also used in beauty salons or spas. A small amount of oil or lotion is often applied to facilitate movement over the delicate facial areas.

Swedish Massage

a general whole body massage using oils on the skin to facilitate treatment. This is the basis of all Western forms of massage treatment.

Shiatsu

with this Japanese style you generally stay dressed and are treated on the floor shiatsu. This system balances all bodily systems. Deep Tissue, this approach is powerful and often painful although the benefits can be great. It is helpful in restructuring the body, improving posture.

Holistic Pulsing

clothes on, you are gently rocked, the rocking or pulsing releasing tension.

Sensual Massage

usually both the client and therapist are naked and there is usually some sexual arousal. This is excellent for couples to help develop intimacy.

Tantric Massage

usually a sensual massage whereby the therapist assists you to understand and control or re-direct energy. A basic understanding and acceptance of the human aura and energy centers is advisable before taking this treatment (although some therapists within the sex industry use this term for sensual - sexual massage without any real knowledge of what tantra is, as it is a trendy concept). With a qualified therapist it can be of great benefit toward liberation of body, mind and spirit.

Skydance Spiritual Massage

a new style lasting two to three hours that is a combination of massage styles that works to balance the physical structure, induce deep relaxation in a way that promotes your spiritual awareness and empowers your consciousness skydance. It has similarities to Kahuna, Tantric and Lomi-Lomi massage.

Aroma therapy

the use of naturally occurring essential oils to enhance treatment. Often used as a treatment in themselves with different oils being applied to different parts of the body.

In all there are over 400 recognised styles of massage.

Massage Benefits

Massage Therapy helps relaxation, releasing stress and tension in our bodies. Too much unresolved stress in our lives can cause constant muscular tension. This tension or tightness reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles and organs and also restricts nerve & lymph supply. Tension creates a tendency for a build up of toxins in the body, and reduces the flow of the more subtle energy or life force (Prana or Chi). Tension can lead to symptomatic feelings of fatigue, heaviness, aches and pains, tightness of muscles and stiffness. Muscular stress can increase the likelihood of strains and injuries. Muscular stress also distorts the skeletal structure which further compounds existing problems and creates new ones.

The following are some of the beneficial results that you can receive from massage treatments:

• Improve circulation Increase blood circulation and the flow of tissue fluid (lymph).
• Improve lymphatic drainage
• Help breathing Stimulate breathing Assist the flow of nutrients & oxygen to tissues
• Lower the heart and pulse rate
• Detoxify the body systems Hasten excretion or waste products
• Assist weight loss
• Nourish the skin (with the right oils) Promote nourishment, repair and renewal of body cells
• Assist in removal of deposits of tissue
• Stimulate activity in skin and its glands
• Improve muscle tone Induce muscle tone
• Soothe and relax nerves
• Relieve Stress
• Release emotional tension
• Relieve pain in certain conditions
• Relax mind and body deeply
• Give pleasure
• Create a feeling of well-being

Contra-indications ; are situations where it is advisable to be cautious about having massage treatment. Conditions such as: Acute inflammation, redness, swelling, marked breathing difficulty, fever, skin rash, Varicose veins. If you have any of these conditions or other concerns, check with your therapist at the time of booking your treatment.

Massage Therapy

Massage can be treating many diseases, following the introduction of the treatment of some common diseases.

Head and Face

Headache and Head Heaviness -  Face Neuralgia -  Eye Fatigue -  Eyesight Going

Ear and Nose

Snuffle -  Chronic Rhinitis, Nasal Sinusitis -  Pollen Rhinitis -  Tinnitus and Deaf

Oral and Pharynx

Toothache -  Stomatitis -  Sore Throat -  Periodontal (Gum) Disease

Neck, Shoulder, Arm, Hand, Chest

Neck Pain, Shoulder Stiff -  Stiff Neck -  Periarthritis Shoulder -  Hand and Arm Paralysis -  Tennis Elbow (Elbow Joint Pain) -  Twist of the Wrist -  Chest Pain, Intercostal Neuralgia

Low back, Back, Leg, Foot

Low Back Pain -  Back Pain -  Sciatica -  Knee Pain -  Leg Cramps -  Rheumatoid Arthritis

Digestive System

Abdominal, Stomach Flatulence -  Chronic Gastritis, Stomach Ache -  Stomach Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer -  Chronic Diarrhea, Enteritis -  Constipation -  Hemorrhoids

Respiratory System

Colds Symptoms -  Cough, Expectoration -  Chronic Bronchitis -  Asthma -  Hiccups

Circulatory System

Insomnia -  Vertigo, Meniere's -  Hypersomnia, Exhausted -  Heart Arrhythmia, Palpitations -  Hypertension -  Hypotension

Genitourinary system

Cystitis, Urinary Tract Infection -  Nephrotic, Oedema -  Frequent Urination -  Erectile Dysfunction

Women Disease

Dysmenorrhea, Menoxenia -  Pregnancy Reaction -  Menopausal Syndrome -  Female Infertility

Children diseases

Sleep Problems (Baby Howling) -  Bedwetting -  Institutional Weakness -  Measles, Mumps, Rubella -  Postnatal Stimulation Baby Massage

Other common symptom

Weight Loss and Reducing Fat -  Freckles, Chloasma, Acne -  Hair Loss and Alopecia -  Diabetes -  Alzheimer's

News : Masseuses make life easier for athletes

Massage Products

There are many different kinds of massage products, as the currently popular use of the following.

Aromatherapy

Ancient Essense - Aromaplex - Candle Ears - Diffusers - Fleurs De France - Nature's Creation

Bath and Beauty

Bath Massager Brush - Ecowax Lavender Candleecowax - Shower Massage Mat - Sleep Inducer

Body and Massage Tools

Back Eze - Back Pillow - Backnobber - Body Back Buddy - Body Back Buddy Junior - Body Bone Massager - Bongers - Fitball Exercise Balls - Footsie Roller - Handi Dandi - Jacknobber - Real Ease Relaxation Tool - Spiky Ball - Indexnobber - The Shemala

Body Cushions

BodyCushion - All Natural M. A. T. - Deluxe M. A. T. - Back Pillow - Full Pro BodyCushion - The Prego Pillow - Original M. A. T. - The Professional M. A. T.

Electrical Massagers

AcuVibe Massager - AcuVibe Softouch Massager - Chi Vitalizer - Equalizer FootPro - Equalizer Pro - Equine Professional Thumper - Finger Rollers - iJoy Board - iJoy Softable - Maxi Pro Variable Power Massager - Maxi Rub Massager - Mini Pro2 Massager - Oster Stim-U-Lax Massager - Foot Massager - Pro-Massager - Reflex Roller - Swing Master

Facial Massage

Steamers - Stones

Hot / Cold Therapy

All-Temp Gel Packs - Hydrocollator Heating Units - Nature's Creation - Other Hot/Cold Items - Stones - Thermophore Products - Towel Warmers

Massage Chairs

On-Site Chairs - Reflexology Chairs - Robotic Chairs

Massage Tables & Accessories

Bolster, Cases, Stools - Budget Tables - Lightweight Tables - Portable Tables - Stationary & Salon Tables

Oils, Creams and Lotions

Accessories - Biofreeze - Biotone Products - Candle Ears - Entiere Products - Fleurs De France - L'Organic Products - Santa Barbara Creams - Soothing Touch Products - Specials - Stones

Sheets, Linens & Pads

Bolsters - Disposable Sheets - Flannel Sheets - Fleece Sheets - Memory Foam Pads

Spa Products

Biotone - Nature's Creation - Soothing Touch

Handbook for Chiropractic Techniques
Massage Therapy, Massage Reflex with Full Illustrated!