The Benefits of Massage Therapy TechniquesDepending on the particular massage therapy technique used, it can be beneficial to decrease pain, reduce stress, promote sleep, increase oxygen capacity of the blood, enhance blood circulation, reduce swelling, enhance relaxation, and helps in post operative pain. Massage therapy technique is important to the patient receiving the massage therapy, as each individual has unique needs. Finding the right massage is a matter of recognizing and addressing the health problems or needs of the individual seeking therapy, and researching the many different kinds of massage therapy techniques that would be beneficial.
A common massage therapy technique that almost all massage therapists use is Swedish massage. Swedish massage was developed in western society and was originally based on early religious and medical ideas, evolving under the influence modern medicine, biology, and sports models. Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swedish physiologist and gymnastics instructor was the father of Swedish massage and physical therapy. Swedish massage is a systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of establishing or maintaining good health. The five basic massage strokes or movements used for Swedish massage are:
1. effleurage
2. pe’trissage
3. friction
4. tapotement
5. vibration
This massage therapy technique is the most widely used system in North America.
Shiatsu massage is one of the main eastern massage therapy techniques practiced all over the world. Shiatsu means finger (shi) and pressure (atsu) in Japanese. Shiatsu massage is the application of direct, perpendicular pressure applied along the meridian lines and tsubos (acupoints and other reactive points on the body) to assist Qi flow in the body, mind, and spirit. Shiatsu is a massage therapy technique that has been practiced in Japan for at least 2000 years, becoming systemized during the twentieth century by Tokujiro Namikoshi and Shizuto Masunaga. Namikoshi took a more western approach, applying shiatsu massage to muscles and muscle groups. Masunaga took a more eastern approach, developing Zen shiatsu massage, which focuses on the body’s energy and incorporates ancient extended meridians. Both approaches have been effective. Six forms of shiatsu massage currently available are:
1. Five Element shiatsu
2. Integrative Eclectic shiatsu
3. Japanese shiatsu,
4. macrobiotic shiatsu (barefoot shiatsu)
5. shiatsu anma therapy
6. Zen shiatsu
Shiatsu is a massage therapy technique evolving in popularity for its effectiveness and success for maintaining well being in mind, body, and spirit.
Another massage therapy technique worthy of mentioning is deep tissue massage. Integrated deep tissue massage therapy incorporates viewpoints and methodologies from both western and eastern approaches to health. A primary goal of these massage therapy techniques is to improve muscle function through:
1. enhancement of oxygen and nutritive levels within muscle fibers
2. reduction of the effects of scar tissue and other adhering factors in the myofascia
3. decreased pain sensations by minimizing irritation to nerve endings caused by trapped waste products
The techniques of energy balance and enhancement are mostly drawn from eastern bodywork modalities. Most Asian healthcare practices are holistic, viewing all aspects of the person-including the body, mind, lifestyle, and relationships-as important factors contributing to the overall state of health. The integrated deep tissue massage system is a massage therapy technique of combined massage therapy techniques that include:
1. Swedish cross fiber
2. Polarity shiatsu
3. neuromuscular therapy
4. connective tissue
5. deep tissue
6. stretching
A particular massage therapy technique can always be beneficial for different individuals with unique health needs. This field is growing with many who wish to become massage technicians and massage therapists. The number of individuals of western society are also growing and seeking alternative methods of health care through different massage therapy techniques.
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