Massage Modalities and Other Information
Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient form of
healing believed by some to be even older than acupuncture. It involves the use
of the fingers (and in some cases, the toes) to press key points on the surface
of the skin to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself. Pressing on
these points relieves muscle tension, which promotes the circulation of blood
and qi (pronounced "chee")
-- the vital energy or "life force" -- to aid in the healing process.
Acupressure and acupuncture
are somewhat similar. Acupressure is sometimes referred to as "needleless acupuncture," because both forms of healing
use the same points to achieve the desired results. The main difference is that
an acupuncturist stimulates points by inserting needles, whereas an acupressurist stimulates the same points using finger
pressure.
Stimulating specific points
on the body can trigger the release of endorphins (chemicals produced by the
body that relieve pain). When endorphins are released, pain is blocked, and the
flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area is increased. This causes the
muscles to relax and promotes healing. In acupressure, as with most traditional
Chinese medicine concepts, local symptoms are considered an expression of the
whole body's condition.
When performed correctly,
acupressure increases circulation, reduces tension and enables the body to
relax. Reducing tension, in turn, strengthens the immune system and promotes
wellness. However, applying acupressure too abruptly, or using too much force during
treatment, can lead to bruising and discomfort. Great care should be used when
applying pressure to points on or near the abdomen, groin, armpits or throat.
Special care should be when treating pregnant women or those with
recently-formed scars, burns, infections or skin lesions.
Many essential oils that are derived from plants, herbs, flowers,
and roots have beneficial therapeutic qualities. Aromatherapy involves the
"burning" of essential oils to elicit a desired effect; for example, lavendar is known to induce calmness and relaxation. When
combined with bodywork, aromatherapy can enrich the massage experience
immensely. A few drops of essential oil can be added to massage cream or oil
and applied to the skin. Professionally trained aromatherapists
also blend oils to treat specific conditions. Only experienced professionals
and/or those knowledgeable in the properties of aromatherapy should attempt to
blend oils or utilize them in practice, as some oil combinations can be toxic,
while others can burn the skin.
Ayurveda is a practice that
originated in
Ayurvedic massage
incorporates the knowledge of ayurveda and uses warm
oils and herbs along the specific energy points to help restore balance to the
body. Massage strokes, oils and herbs are selected based on a client's specific
needs; hence, each treatment is highly customized. Benefits of ayurvedic massage include vitality, stress reduction, and
relaxation. Proponents of ayurveda also report a
renewed sense of spiritual connection and inner peace
Chair massage, also known as seated massage, is fast becoming one
of the most popular ways in which to practice. Generally, chair massage is
administered onsite at various locations, including health fairs, airports, shopping malls and in corporate settings. Clients remain
fully clothed and treatments generally last from 15-30 minutes. Chair massage
is usually limited to the back, neck and arms.
Deep-tissue massage utilizes slow
strokes, direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles
with the fingers, thumbs or elbows. Deep-tissue massage works deeply into the
muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains; its purpose
is to reach the fascia beneath the surface muscles.
Practitioners must have a thorough
understanding of the human body and have been trained to administer deep-tissue
massage. This technique is useful in treating chronic pain, inflammation and
injury.
Infant massage has proved
beneficial for both infants and their families on a number of levels. It is
used regularly in hospital neonatal units and has been linked with helping premature
infants gain weight. Infant massage has been shown to help relieve colic,
induce sleep, promote relaxation, improve sensory integration, and enhance
neurological development, among other things; moreover, the practice of massage
helps build the bond between babies and their parents.
Lypossage combines several massage modalities for the purpose
of enhancing skin tone and firmness, and to combat the effects of cellulite. Lypossage is often the preferred method of treating
cellulite, since it provides a noninvasive alternative to expensive cosmetic
surgery. Practitioners of lypossage usually emphasize
the importance of diet and exercise, as well
Practitioners of medical
massage have a strong background in pathology, disease, illness and injury, and
the contraindications of specific massage techniques related to various medical
conditions. Medical massage therapists frequently work under the direction of
or at the request of physicians.
Myofascial release deals with
the fascia, or connective tissue, of the body. The fascia is interconnected to
every other part of the body, and actually helps to support the body's very
structure, including the musculoskeletal system. When injury, inflammation, or
physical or emotional trauma occurs, the fascia can become tight and cause pain
and/or restricted range of motion. Myfascial release
-- as its name suggests -- aims to release the fascia and return it to a state
of normalcy by applying gentle pressure to the restricted areas. MFR can help
with a number of conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, and
stress-related illnesses.
NMT is massage applied to
specific muscles, often used to increase blood flow, release knots of muscle
tension, or release pain/pressure on nerves. This therapy is also known as
trigger-point therapy in that concentrated finger pressure is applied to
"trigger points" to alleviate muscular pain.
Orthopedic massage combines
several massage and medical massage techniques to treat pain and soft-tissue
injury. It focuses heavily on injury assessment and rehabilitation, emphasizing
the importance of selecting the appropriate modality to treat the injury.
Orthopedic massage is often used in conjuction with sports
massage protocols.
Prenatal, or pregnancy,
massage uses gentle techniques to help alleviate some of the ailments
associated with pregancy, including lower back, neck
and shoulder pain; fatigue; joint tenderness; and stretch marks. Prenatal
massage can help improve circulation, promote stress reduction and relaxation,
and much more. Practitioners should be well-trained in prenatal massage in
order to deliver safe and effective care, and patients should check with their
doctors prior to receiving treatment.
Also chi,
ka and ji. The basis of traditional Chinese medicine revolves
around qi, which is considered a vital force
or energy responsible for controlling the workings of the human mind and body. Qi flows through the body via channels, or
pathways, which are called meridians. There are a total of 20 meridians: 12
primary meridians, which correspond to specific organs, organ systems or
functions, and eight secondary meridians. Imbalances in the flow of qi cause illness and correction of this flow
restores the body to balance.
This technique is based on a
system of points on the hands, feet and ears that correspond, or
"reflex," to other areas of the body. Similar in theory to acupressure,
reflexologists believe that applying appropriate
pressure to these points stimulates the flow of energy, thus helping to relieve
pain or blockages throughout the entire body. A very pleasurable form of
bodywork, reflexology is also used to ease stress and promote relaxation.
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy
similar to acupressure; in fact, the word shiatsu literally means "finger
pressure." As with acupressure, the concepts of shiatsu hold that it can
promote health and facilitate healing by correcting energy imbalances in the
body. These imbalances are corrected by applying pressure to specific points
along channels in the body known as meridians. While there is no exact date as
to when shiatsu originated, the technique is believed to be hundreds, if not
thousands, of years old.
Shiatsu is usually delivered with the thumbs.
However, some practitioners will use their fingers, palms, elbows -- and even
feet -- to achieve the desired effect. Typically, a shiatsu practitioner will
apply pressure not just to a few points on the body.
The goal here is twofold: to release energy (qi in
Chinese, ki in Japanese - pronounced "chee") in areas where it may be blocked or stagnating,
and to bring energy back to areas that are depleted.
In addition to applying pressure, shiatsu
practitioners may manipulate the soft tissue over and around meridians, and
perform passive and active stretching exercises as part of treatment.
Scientifically speaking, shiatsu is an excellent form of pain relief. Research
has shown that applying extensive pressure initiates the release of endorphins,
natural pain-killing substances produced by the body. Shiatsu may also lower
the levels of adrenaline and other stress hormones, producing a relaxing
effect.
This term refers to several types of
treatments generally performed in resort and day spas. Some of these include
manicures and pedicures, mud wraps, body scrubs, sea salt scrubs, parrafin treatments, scalp treatments, facials, and herbal
and seaweed body wraps.
Sports massage therapies are both preventative
and therapeutic, and used for athletes during warm ups, training and
competition to treat and/or aid in the prevention of injuries; help improve
flexibility, range of motion, and performance; and aid in mental clarity.
Virtually every professional sports team employs professional sports massage
therapists, and are often privately employed by
professional athletes.
Generally regarded as the most common form of
massage, Swedish massage involves a combination of five basic strokes and
concentrates on the muscles and connective tissues of the body for improved circulation,
relaxation, pain relief, and overall health maintenance and well-being. Swedish
massage is also one of the less demanding techniques for massage therapists to
practice as it usually does not involve deep tissue work.
Practiced in
Rather than using a massage table, Thai
massage is administered to fully clothed clients on floor mats. Practitioners
use their own body weight to position clients into yoga-like forms while
instructing clients on proper breathing for maximum results.
Trigger points are areas of soft tissue in the
body characterized by local pain, tightness, and tenderness. Often trigger
points develop because of referred pain, or pain from another source that has
manifested itself in a trigger point. Trigger points rarely refer pain to other
areas.
Trigger-point therapy seeks first to identify
trigger points, then apply steady, appropriate pressure
to the point to "release" it. This is usually followed by massage to
the surrounding area to help treat the cause of the trigger point. Clients are
encouraged to drink a lot of water following a trigger-point therapy session to
flush out any toxins released when the trigger point is released