The Different Types Of Therapeutic Massage.
Massage therapy has been practiced for
thousands of years. There are tomb paintings
from the Egyptians that show people being
massaged. It is the oldest and simplest form of
medical care.
A book written 2700 years before the birth
of Christ recommended breathing exercises and
massage of the flesh and skin. It was use by
both the Greek and Romans as a way to relieve
pain and it was said that Julius Caesar had
daily massages to relieve symptoms of
neuralgia.
Hippocrates wrote, Rubbing can bind a joint
that is too loose, and loosen a joint that is
too rigid.
Shiatsu massage, also known as acupressure
is sometimes confused with acupuncture. They
are both based on the Chinese meridian system
but there are no needles involved in shiatsu
massage.
The therapist applies pressure with thumbs,
fingers, and palms to specific parts of the
body. The spots are determined during a
physical assessment by the massage therapist.
Then, various parts of the body are tapped,
squeezed, rubbed, and have pressure applied to
unblock energy are increase the flow of
energy.
Shiatsu massage will benefit you in the
following ways:
- Releases toxins from the body
- Deep tissue and muscle relaxation
- Increased flexibility
- Reduces blood pressure
- Reduces stress
- Prevents disease
- Reduces mental anxieties
- Increases physical and mental
awareness
The massage therapist knows which part of
the body to massage and manipulate with the
fingers to allow stress reduction, ease mental
anxieties, and all the benefits listed
above.
Massage therapy has been given a bad name
because of the reputation that massage parlors
have received. That image is being replaced by
the benefits and the value of therapeutic
massage.
Massage is now being used in hospital intensive
care units, for newborn babies and children, as
well as patients with AIDS and cancer. Most
American hospitals and hospices offer some form
of massage therapy to benefit their
patients.
Massage is often offered in pain clinics,
drug treatment centers, and other health
centers. Massage has been incorporated with
other forms of holistic and complementary
therapies. Massage therapists are using touch
and therapeutic massage with aromatherapy and
reflexology.
Hot stone massage is another form of
therapeutic therapy and is useful for
promoting deep muscle and tissue
relaxation, ease stress, calm the mind,
improve circulation, and relieve pain.
There are certain physical conditions
treated by hot stone massage. They are back
pain, muscle aches and pains, insomnia,
depression, arthritis, and fibromylagia.
Hot stone massage may also help with
circulatory problems. Hot stones are place
on specific sites on the clients body to
help open the energy pathways.
Hot stones may also be used to release
tension in the muscles before a deep tissue
massage is administered.
Theraputic Massage Terms and
Facts.
Infants and
premature babies in particular
experience great benefits from
regular massage.
A baby massage
should be very very light to
the touch. Never apply
pressure.
Touch is very
important to a baby and being
given the level of attention a
baby massage requires means
that they also tend to grow up
to be more confident and
secure.
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Another form of therapeutic touch is the
healing touch. A touch can mean love and
caring and is a basic instinct we are born
with. You can practice healing touch by
holding hands, hands on healing, nurturing
with your hands, and by healing touch.
Remember that reaching out to touch someone
is an action that shows others that you
love and care for them.
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