Remedial Massage Therapy
Massage involves acting and manipulating the patient's body with pressure, tension, motion, or vibration done manually. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue.
A Remedial Massage is a firm massage aimed at releasing the tension in muscles and tendons. Life, Sports, Accidents, our Jobs, Posture and many other factors cause muscles to be used in a sustained contraction. This leads to sprain, strain, tension and pain.
A Remedial Massage Therapist is trained in the expert release of the tension in muscles. Massage Therapists can feel the tension and will utilise their skills in releasing that tension.
A Remedial Massage is not a very pleasant experience at the start, but once the muscular tension has been released it is a truly blissful experience.
Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage uses five basic movements to increase circulation and remove toxins from the muscles. Always working towards the heart, the massage therapist incorporates these techniques into a flowing massage session that leaves the patient physically and emotionally relaxed. The trademark move of Swedish massage is Effleurage, long gliding strokes that can be firm or soft, depending on purpose and client. Many therapists start out a session with Effleurage to familiarize themselves with the patient, and then start to bring more pressure to bear for deeper work.
Swedish massage also includes Petrissage, or kneading. Petrissage is designed to release toxins from the muscles by lifting, separating, and rolling them. Gentle pressure is used to compress and relax the muscles, and enhance circulation. Another technique, Tapotement, involves tapping the muscles with a percussive stroke. The side of the hand, fingers, or palm may be used to release tension and cramping. Many therapists also incorporate vibration, a technique added to the Swedish massage repertoire later. The therapist centers his or her hands on the back of a limb and shakes them briskly for several seconds to release tension, encourage circulation, and help muscles to contract.
The deepest work in Swedish massage is accomplished with friction, where the therapist works deep into the muscles with the fingers, elbow, or base of the palm. Using circular movements, the therapist works deeply into the muscle, especially in bony areas, to release muscle adhesions which can restrict movement. Friction helps the client to be more flexible, and it also releases deep seated muscle tension.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is an old, traditional, Japanese healing method. Shiatsu means “finger pressure.” But unlike the massages of the West, where kneading and friction is used, in shiatsu pressure and stretching is the key. The shiatsu practitioner uses palms, fingers, thumbs, knuckles, elbows, knees and the feet, to work on the body’s accupucture points, along what they consider the body’s meridians or energy channels. Its a form of “touch communication,” and is a safe and effective preventive medicine. It helps to balance a persons energy flow, and strengthen the vital organs.
In shiatsu, it is believed that disease is the result of blocked or unbalanced energy, so that it’s aither depleted or over-active. Shiatsu shares the same view as Chinese acupuncture. There are two energy forces, the Yin, or negative, and the Yang, or positive. Basically, the human body is looked upon as a microcosm of the universe, the meridians vital organs are seen as governed by Five Elements and by Yin and Yang. They believe that in a healthy person no element is dominant or deficient in relation to the other. So blocked or unbalanced energy allows disease to take over, and it is either depleted, or kyoto, or overactive-jitsu.
A shiatsu practitioner asks the patient to lie on a mat on the floor, while wearing loose, natural fiber clothing. He or she will then use his hands, elbows, knees, and feet to work on balancing your meridian. He applies pressure to appropriate points to correct the injuries or imbalances. Through touch, two way communication greatly benefits the patient. Shiatsu works on the whole being, from the physical to the spiritual, so during and after the treatment a patient may experience a variety of reactions-crying, laughing, joy, stillness. These reactions are a sign that the body is breaking through old energy patterns.
Shiatsu treatments are given for a variety of ailments, from respiratory problems, to digestive problems, to headaches and leg cramps, and can bring relief to a number of everyday disorders. And today, shiatsu is gaining popularity in the West, and is practiced in America and Europe.
AromaTherapy
Aromatherapy massage is massage therapy but with highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, added to the massage oil or lotion.
How does aromatherapy massage work?
The nostrils are attached to a part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system controls emotions and influences the nervous system and hormones.
When you inhale essential oil molecules, messages are transmitted to the limbic system and affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system.
Essential oils are also believed to be absorbed through the skin.
Each essential oil has different healing properties. For example, some calm while others energize. Here are some widely used essential oils and their properties:
* calming – chamomile, lavender, geranium
* uplifting – ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, neroli
* energizing – rosemary
* cleansing – rosemary
* decongesting – eucalyptus, pine, tea tree
Why do people get aromatherapy massage?
Aromatherapy massage is particularly suited to conditions involving stress or improving emotionally-related conditions.
* Stress and stress-related conditions such as insomnia
* Headache
* Digestive disorders
* Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
* Back pain
