| Massage therapy modalities are as diverse in | | | | is a distinct massage therapy that facilitates finger |
| nature as leaves on a tree; and subsequently, | | | | pressure to particular energy channels (meridians) |
| quite effective in helping to naturally heal common | | | | along the body. This massage method is similar to |
| and chronic health conditions. In this article, we are | | | | acupuncture without the needles, and is believed |
| going to discuss some of the more common | | | | to restore harmony to the chi (energy flow) to |
| massage therapy modalities, specific strokes and | | | | the body; which, in turn restores health and |
| general health benefits. | | | | vitality. Tuina massage therapy is commonly |
| One of the widely used types of massage | | | | taught in many Oriental medicine programs and is |
| therapy is Swedish massage. Most massage | | | | referred to as "Chinese medical massage." In |
| therapists have learned and practice this particular | | | | Tuina, various touch methods are used to balance |
| form of bodywork; and utilize four types of touch | | | | Qi (chi) and the internal organs and body systems. |
| therapy: Effleurage, Friction, Petrisage and | | | | Myofascial release is a massage therapy that |
| Tapotement. These deep tissue motions are | | | | mixes stretches and massage to the fibrous |
| known to relax body tissues, increase blood | | | | bands of connective tissue (fascia). Gently |
| circulation, and alleviate stress. | | | | kneading and softly stretching the fascia, |
| Another emerging massage therapy is reflexology. | | | | myofascial release lengthens, softens and realigns |
| Reflexology is a foot massage therapy based on | | | | the fascia; treating an array of health conditions |
| the theory of meridian therapy; whereby parts of | | | | including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, |
| the foot sole are believed to be interrelated to | | | | sprains, rheumatoid arthritis, among others. |
| various body systems. Pressure is applied to | | | | Finally, lymphatic drainage massage therapy is |
| specific points to the sole to help in healing, and in | | | | specifically used to reduce edema (swelling of the |
| relieving stress. In addition to foot reflexology, | | | | tissues due to water retention). Facilitating gentle |
| there are a number of practitioners that practice | | | | massage along the body's lymphatic system, |
| hand, ear and body reflexology as well. | | | | lymphatic drainage (also known as manual |
| Some popular Eastern massage therapy methods | | | | lymphatic drainage, MLD) is helpful in stimulating |
| include Thai massage, Acupressure/Shiatsu, and | | | | the immune system and improving circulation. This |
| Tuina. Thai massage therapy is a bodywork | | | | particular massage technique is beneficial to |
| modality that is based on the Yin and Yang | | | | patients who suffer from chronic disease like |
| principle of restoring energy balance to the body, | | | | congestive heart failure and cancer. |
| and is administered through muscle stretching | | | | Stay tuned for Massage Therapy Overview - |
| motions. Acupressure (also referred to as Shiatsu) | | | | Part II of this series of articles. |