Types Of Massage
Zachary Thompson
Massage therapy is one of the oldest medical treatments. There
are records of this treatment being practiced almost 4,000
years ago. Admittedly it was a fairly simple form of treatment
at this time and was referred to as “rubbing.” Modern massage
therapy has now evolved to incorporate many techniques and is a
recognized form of alternative treatment. It is all part of a
holistic approach to medicine that looks at the entire overall
health of the patient.
Basic massage: pressure, tension, motion, or vibration is
applied to the soft tissues of the body. This can also include
lymphatic vessels, joints, ligaments, muscles, connective
tissue and tendons. It can be applied to the whole body or
parts of it. There are many reasons for using massage therapy,
a few common ones are; to help heal the body after injury,
relive stress, manage pain, or improve circulation.
The patient is treated by, sitting in a massage chair, lying on
a massage table, or lying on a pad on the floor. They are
generally unclothed, or disrobed, with their body “draped” in
towels or sheets. How the body is “draped “ depends on where in
the world you are having this treatment done. The therapy begins
with the patient lying on their back and continues with them
face downward. Relaxation is necessary for massage therapy to
be effective.
Oils are sometimes used to increase the effects of massage
therapy. Different oils are supposed to induce different
reactions in the body. Massage therapy can also be practiced
with no oil. Hot steam or sauna baths are often taken prior to
massage therapy. This will help the patient to get warmed up
and relax so that treatment can be more effective.
There are several different types of massage that are used in
massage therapy. Here are some common ones:
Barefoot Deep Tissue: This is a combination of Eastern and
Western techniques. The patient is loosely clothed and lain on
their back or side, on a mat on the floor. No oil is used in
this technique.
Bowen Technique: This is a rolling technique movement that is
done to the fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.
Breema bodywork: This is also performed on the floor with the
subject fully clothed. It is composed of gentle leans and
stretches, to aid deep relaxation. Sessions typically last for
about 50 minutes.
Chair massage: This can be done either manually or by
mechanical means, motors in the actual chair.
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage and involves pushing,
stretching and kneading the muscle. Zhi Ya is another form of
Chinese massage based on acupuncture. It involves pinching and
pressing the acupuncture points.
CranioSacral Therapy: This, as the name applies, is the gentle
massage of the head and spine.
Deep muscle therapy: this technique is generally focused on
increasing blood and lymphatic flow to the muscles. It is often
used to promote healing and help manage back and neck pain.
Deep tissue techniques: This massage therapy concentrates on
specific sets of muscles, or joints. An experienced massage
therapist should do this as when it is misapplied or done too
quickly this massage can cause more problems and not help the
patient.
Effleurage: This form of massage is almost like stroking and is
used to calm the muscles. It is often performed around the heart
to help circulation and lymphatic drainage.
Esalen Massage: This style of massage therapy uses traditional
methods in a gentle manner. This will relax the body and help
muscles and circulation.
Foot massage: The Chinese have different points on the sole of
the foot that they associate with different organs of the body.
This is to do with nerve endings in the sole and in theory is
related to acupuncture and acupressure. This requires the
patient to soak their foot in a foot bath of warm water and
herbs before having this massage therapy done.
As you can see there are many types and styles of massage
therapy. It is best to have this done by a licensed therapist
who will know what combination of techniques to apply to your
particular situation.
About The Author: Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients
Representative. His clients range from actresses to pro
athletes. You can get a free Glyconutrients consultation by
visiting
http://www.myglyconutrientstore.com . Clinical studies
have shown that glyconutrients can help balance your immune
system.
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