What Are Some Different Types of Massage
Therapy? There are many types of massage
therapy and almost every person that exists can
derive some benefit from massage therapy
whether they are young or old.
From some simple benefits to some remarkable
health benefits. Therapy using massage
techniques can do things like helping a person
to heal better by helping the persons body use
it owns resources to heal.
It can help with headaches and help to
relieve many kinds of tension and stress. It is
truly remarkable the healing power of touch and
massage. There are many massage techniques and
complementary therapies and we will explore
some of them briefly here.
What are some of the main categories of
massage professions? The two categories
are:
- Medical Massage
- Energy Massage
What are some of the therapies that
complement massage? Some complementary
therapies are:
- Osteopathy
- Aromatherapy
- Reflexology
While these are a few of the complementary
therapies to go with massage the two main
professions can further be divided by
specializations and uses. Some of the medical
profession uses massage to assist with:
- Sports healing
- Certain stretching massages with
exercise
- Orthopedic
- Massage that is for the neuromuscular
area
But the profession focused on energy type
therapies use massage for:
- Touch therapy
- Reiki
- Polarity which can be a combination of
touch and polarity
There are many types of massages that can be
utilized by a professional therapist for
various problems and there are therapists who
wish to only practice a specialized massage
therapy. What are some of the massage therapies
and what do they seek to accomplish in general?
Let's take a look. Some oriental massage
therapies are:
Acupressure is based on
acupuncture only it doesnt utilize any needles
at all and utilizes some deep tissue massage
with pressure being applied along certain
points or areas of the body. However it does
not normally use any lotions or oils.
With Shiatsu massage the
goal is to combine some acupressure and some
massage and is focused somewhat on relieving
discomfort and balancing ones energy.
One of the most basic massages is
Swedish Massage. It utilizes
long and basically gentle strokes that can be
used on all the various groups of muscles. It
is mainly used to help ease and relieve tension
and is known for improving circulation. Along
the same lines as Swedish massage is relaxation
massage as it utilizes a flowing and smooth
technique. There is workplace massage.
A very specific massage of therapeutic value
to the cranium called Cranial Sacral
Massage Therapy. This is applied to
the neck and the head.
A very medical application called
Remedial Massage. It
emphasizes a paramedical treatment that helps
to achieve the restoration of and function of
the soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons,
muscles that have been injured.
This utilizes many types of massage and
includes self treatment at home. To achieve a
balance in the body there is a therapy that
uses the reflex points in the feet.
These points have matching or corresponding
areas in the body. The therapist or if doing
this yourself will apply pressure to these
points with the thumb and fingers.
Certain massage therapies can be benefited
or enhanced with the healing powers of
essential oils and this would be called
aromatherapy massage.
The massage therapy that involves deep
tissue massage has several different
massage techniques. Deep tissue massage
involves many different types of strokes
and involved some of these techniques such
as;
-
Sports massage
-
Massage of the Connective Tissue
-
trigger point therapy
-
Neuromuscular massage
Techniques
-
Finally, there is Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage which helps
to increase blood flow to the muscles and is
sometime used in conjunction with a Pilates
workout.which helps to increase blood flow to
the muscles and is sometime used in conjunction
with a Pilates workout.
Theraputic Massage Terms and
Facts.
Something as
relaxing as a massage can in
fact help to improve alertness
of the mind because it releases
endorphins. They in turn help
you focus your mind.
Giving someone
a hand massage is a very simple
way to help improve calm
thinking and fosters peace of
mind.
You can do this
easily by massaging "up and
out" which means you start with
the knuckels and move up
towards the wrist, and circle
"out" and down to the pinky on
the way back to the knuckle
again, remembering to release
as you move "out".
Don't massage
sideways, just "up and out".
Start with the middle knuckel
by the way.
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There are many uses for massage therapy so
find one that helps you achieve overall
well being and helps you achieve the health
goal you seek. Even a massage from a good
pal will be beneficial.
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