Massage Therapy: Types and Forms
June 11th 2011 Posted at Other
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Massage therapy has been around for a very long time. The Chinese first began practicing this unique and calming procedure from as far back as 3000 BC. Back then, lifestyles were much different and people did not experience the hustle and bustle of this day and age. Now, life is very hectic; work, play and sport has provided mankind with aching joints, muscles and ligaments in dire need of help and healing.
With this increased pressure on the human body, people are now seeking ways of relieving physical, emotional and mental stress not experienced before. In order to alleviate these problems, massage therapy has become a modern marvel and a very popular alternative medicine. It is now a very beneficial and effective practise with persons of various ages and class seeking its healing properties. It not only soothes the aches and pains of the body but also helps to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, both mental and emotional problems, leaving individuals calm, refreshed and energized.
Even in the medical field of surgery and prescription pills is massage seen as a beneficial aid to recovery. It is also marked amongst medical peers as an excellent and effective tension reliever. In some ares of the world, massage therapy is seen as an essential part of the medical field. Within massage, there are over 80 different types and forms which encompass a vast scope of therapies, techniques and practices.
Massage was born for several purposes. The most basic of them is to relieve tension and alleviate pain and pressure. Even though there are many types of massages, the process can be easily defined across all. Massage is basically a method of relaxing the muscles and tissues of the body, increasing oxygen and blood flow which results in a decrease in pain.
Massage therapists are licensed practitioners and have studied massage techniques and ethics. They bring about pain relief by exerting pressure on various parts of bodies with their fingertips, palms, arms and elbows in varying strokes. They pinpoint areas of pressure and tension in the body also known as knots and apply techniques to loosen them.
This type of massage is the most basic and is the most common. This massage is aimed at making the joints in the body more flexible by relaxing them. Long strokes are applied to a client’s body and is combined with friction and kneading in order to bring about relief.
Shiatsu Massage is a fairly common type and involves different and recurring pressure exerted to afflicted body parts enabling energy to flow without blockage. Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is another alternative medicine, and involves massaging the feet, hands or ears in an effort to encourage pain relief in other parts of the body. Thai massages incorporate deep massages and stretching and is usually performed on the floor.
The client is allowed to wear comfortable clothing. Therapeutic oils are not used during Thai massages, as they are in most other types. Client’s perform yoga-like stretches which help to stimulate blood flow and improve breathing. There are many other types or forms of massage each having their own set of techniques and tools.
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