Articles » Massage Therapy
-
Everyday modern life is prone to varying levels of stress. The stress we experience comes from all areas of our lives. Some people experience the most stress at home others do so in their places of work or study. Stress is a constant companion in our daily activities and one that affects the nature of our productive and social output. It affects the way we handle issues and the way we handle our relationship with other people as well.
-
With all the techniques available in massage today most people usually have the feeling they’ve seen them all. Massage Cupping however is a technique most people have not experienced but which is as old as the very concept of massage itself. The fact that cupping has become more popular today has to do with the fact the most people and therapists have just recognized it’s effectiveness in today’s stressful world.
-
Craniosacral massage is simply a long name for a procedure whose aims are quite easy to understand. It is a popular form of massage therapy but involves a keen understanding of various aspects of the human anatomy. This therapy focuses on the part of the body known as the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system is the name collectively used to refer to various systems that affect human functions by working in conjunction with each other. These two systems are the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body.
-
Understanding Deep Tissue Massage Therapy
There are various types of massage techniques with each being unique in its own way. Deep Tissue massage in one such technique that has its differences in the area of focus. This massage technique focuses its efforts on the release of the various restrictions in the musculoskeletal system especially the muscles, various tendons and ligaments. The aim of this technique is to release various patterns in the body such as patterns of pain and tension.
-
The Nature and Benefits of Lymphatic Massage
In order to understand lymphatic massage, we must understand the nature of the human body, the accumulation of toxins and the functions of the body’s lymphatic drainage system. During the course of our lives the body metabolise various chemicals which are essential for various processes that are part of the functioning of the body. Some of these chemicals ultimately result in toxins which when left in the body cause weakness and susceptibility to various forms of disease.
-
Winter can be exceedingly cruel, those temperatures make you unable to think of anything else but the cold. Your hand and your feet are always tormented by the chilling cold that you feel like having hot baths at all hours of the day just to get your body temperature back to normal and send the cold back where it came from. Unfortunately not only are frequent hot baths inconvenient, they also won’t solve everything and it may be time to look for alternative measures before winter fully sets in.
-
Shiatsu massage is a seemingly queer name for a relatively simple process. The name originates from the Japanese term for “finger pressure”. The procedure involves the use of the tips of the fingers and various pressure points across the body to deliver the required therapy. Shiatsu massage uses various points of the hands to spread pressure over varied areas of the human body in order to provide relaxation and relief. The manipulation that goes into this form of massage is very precise and helps to correct the discrepancies and imbalances in the human body.
-
Massages are frequently associated with the body but they are also used to resolve headache problems as well .The massage techniques for achieving this purpose differ slightly from the other prominent massage techniques that may be used to solve other problems that concern the body and the mind. In order to understand the mode of operation of massages especially when they concern the head you have to understand the basic points about massage.
-
Massage Treatment for Arthritis
Arthritis is a very painful condition that may affect a person at a later stage in life. Most other conditions such as cardiovascular conditions show their prominence at this stage of life as well. There are different forms of arthritis but there are symptoms which are common to all forms of the ailment. Some of these symptoms include pain, swelling of the hands, feet and other regions of the body.
-
Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is trying time for women , unfortunately most men do not understand this fact. They can’t understand the moods of women during the pregnancy period and even though most of them love to show concern and feign attentiveness, they really can’t figure what all the fuss is about. Except you’re ready to hang around and try and interpret the curious looks on their faces don’t count on any comfort from them except you’re headed to the labour ward for delivery. If you’re really looking for comfort at this trying period and time of your life you should consider massage therapy.
-
Massage Chair & Its Benefits in the Urban Workplace
Massages are something we’d love to have everyday because of the feelings of comfort and relaxation they bring to use but unfortunately we can’t have a massage often enough. An office employee can leave the duties of their workplace to dart to the massage parlour every now and then. Besides the costs of a proper massage can run riot when you consider the amount of money you’d spend if you had one every single day of the week.
-
Most people often misconstrue massage as a process of luxury. Something that only people who can afford idle time engage in. This is actually very far from the truth, massage therapy may vary in the nature and costs but most massage therapies are for everybody to benefit from and they are much more than a relaxation process. Massage therapy promotes health in an individual as well as helping the body compete better in the stages of life. Some massage therapies however are more than simple massages – they are luxury treats which only those who wish to spoil themselves should indulge in.
-
The name Tantric massage conjures of images of sexual imagery and activity but Tantric massage is hardly the material snuff films are made of. The massage therapy should be taken as seriously as any other forms of massage and it should not be misconstrued for what it really isn’t. In order to fully understand what Tantric massage you must fully understand the nature of sex in Indian mythology and how it applies to the human well–being and existence.
-
Defining Detoxification Massage
Toxins that reside in the body during various forms of activity have adverse effects on our general well–being. These toxins must be eliminated from our bodies in order for us to be able to function normally and stay free from illnesses. Unfortunately however the ideal is not the case. We often do a lot of harm to our bodies by pushing beyond our natural limits and ingesting material that may prove harmful to us in the long run. Sometimes this behaviour is hardly intentional, the nature of our jobs just happens to place us in environmental conditions where we are exposed to artificial or naturally occurring toxins.
-
Considering a Massage Therapy Career
Giving people comfort and relaxation is not only a noble act, people pay well for it as well. Everyone loves to feel good even depressed people and sadists, that’s why people spend money on a lot of things that make them happy regardless of the cost. Some of these things are bad some of them are good but sometimes to the buyer of the goods this factor is irrelevant as long as the benefit is enjoyed.
-
Depending on the nature of massage your require, massages require a certain amount of money. Luxurious massages such as the Hot Stone Massage often require much more money than other procedures. It is important therefore that when you pay for a massage, that you derive the maximum benefit possible from that massage. Money spent on a procedure that will not provide any comfort to you or little comfort is nothing more than a wasted experience.
-
Most people, who understand the nature of massage, understand that massage in some way extends its whole benefit to different areas of the human body. What most people are unclear about however is which areas of the human body massage affects positively and how it affects these areas. Other than this fact people often now that there are different forms of massage and it is often confusing to know which massage works for what.
-
Ayurvedic Massage employs the use of oils in concordance with the tenets of the Ayurvedic way of life. Like most forms of massage treatment with an Asian origin Ayurvedic massage operates with the understanding that the body is normally in a state of balance and when imbalance occurs in the body illness and pain result.
-
Various forms of massage derive their origins for the Asian continent and these form of massage are often described as the most effective and precise forms of massage therapy in existence today. Some of these massage therapies may be carried out in conjunction with other methods while others may be carried out alone . Some therapies have their effectiveness in resolving particular situations while others provide a much more generalized feeling or well–being. Whatever their origins and purposes all these forms of massage are highly effective and provide relief on a daily basis to various individuals.
-
Adrenal Fatigue and Massage Therapy
If you feel constantly tired even when you wake up from long hours of sleep, you may suffer from Adrenal Fatigue. This acute fatigue usually manifests during the morning and late afternoons. However during the evenings people suffering from this syndrome may notice an increase in energy levels which ultimately leads to insomnia late at night.
-
Massage - Working Trigger Points
Whether trigger points even exist is still a matter of some controversy. Proponents on both sides will argue and reach no definite conclusion. To explore working them, will require a slight detour into some simple muscle physiology.
-
The Massage Therapist's Body and Brain
The human body is an amazingly complex system, and the massage therapist has to know it well.
-
The Health Benefits of Massage
Anyone who has had the pleasure will verify that a good massage feels terrific. It leaves you feeling relaxed, refreshed and re-energized. But the effects are often far more than just a pleasant afterglow. A good massage can provide a definite boost in health.
-
The Art and Science of Massage
Massage is an ancient art. Though no one knows exactly when it became a formalized system of touch and pressure, several forms go back to at least 1500 B.C. in India. Often associated with spiritual practices and beliefs, the therapy itself is fully grounded in physiology.
-
Originating in India over 2,500 years ago, this healing art spread to Siam (ancient Thailand) with the spread of Buddhism. Once performed by monks as part of elaborate healing rituals, it formed one part of traditional Thai medicine. The complete practice includes nutritional counseling, often recommending dietary changes. It also entails using herbs, both consumed internally and applied externally usually in the form of oils or heated liquids, along with meditation and discussion.
-
Swedish is the most common style practiced among massage therapists.
-
Sports massage may appear to be the latest 'hot' thing, but in fact it's been practiced for thousands of years. The ancient Spartans, enemies of the Athenians in Greece over 2,500 years ago, regularly applied massage techniques to optimize their warriors' effectiveness.
-
Neck and Shoulder Massage in Simple Steps
It used to be that mailmen and athletes were the two major professions that suffered neck and shoulder aches. Nowadays, with virtually everyone using a computer for long hours every day, the problem can affect anyone. Fortunately, a partial solution can be provided with a few simple, easy to learn techniques.
-
Certainly, human males can't get pregnant. (Not yet anyway.) But couples often say 'We are pregnant' when announcing their joyous news to friends and loved ones. So, sometimes, it's helpful for the man to consider himself as expecting also. One of the things his mate may be expecting, besides a child, is a good massage. So, in the interest of harmonious relations, it's a good idea to know something about the subject...
-
Though the roots of Shiatsu massage go back centuries, the practice first became widely popular around the beginning of the 20th century. Then in 1940, the Shiatsu style of massage got a big boost with the founding of the Japan Shiatsu College.
-
Many massage techniques that later became popular in various parts of Asia actually originated in ancient India. One of the oldest is marma-point massage. Used for thousands of years, it has now made its way into Western spas where it's a great favorite of clients.
-
Most massage techniques make heavy use of the therapist's hands and arms. Occasionally sticks will be used for certain specialized applications. But 'recently' a new tool has been added to the toolkit - hot stones. 'Recently' is in quotes since the technique has actually been practiced for thousands of years. But only in the past few years has it come into the modern spa where it is attracting clients by the score.
-
American missionaries invaded the Hawaiian islands in 1820 and, as ships came and went with supplies (and sometimes natives eager to leave), the native massage practice spread to the west. That art is called Lomilomi.
-
Among the many health benefits of massage is one that will surprise the novice: the ability to manipulate fascia. Fascia are body components located between the skin and the underlying muscle. It's here that inflammation and injuries can produce damage that can be encouraged to heal by a good massage.
-
Effleurage is one of the most common massage techniques employed. Using a succession of light or deep stroking or gliding motions, the masseuse or masseur floats across the contours of the body. The therapist uses a flat surface, such as the hand or forearm. He or she moves with low-friction over large expanses of skin, applying moderate pressure.
-
Swedish massage and similar techniques seek to stimulate the surface and relax muscles that are readily accessible. Deep tissue massage tries to go further, to get down to layers where trigger points (muscle knots, localized pain areas) and other problems may reside.
-
Chair Massage In the Workplace and Out
Picture a massage. What comes to mind are images of someone lying on a table, partly covered with a sheet, being kneaded. But one of the newer and now equally common forms doesn't use a table or mat at all. The recipient isn't even prone. He or she is sitting. Chair massage has come of age.
-
There's a good reason massage therapists charge what they do. They've undergone intensive, long-term training that involves learning anatomy and physiology. They've practiced for months or longer, hours per day, to develop the understanding and the skills to detect body problems. They've learned a demanding trade.
-
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and other plant extracts as part of a therapeutic session.
