| According to many online sites dedicated to the | | | | limb, or even a finger or thumb. All depends on |
| art of massage therapy, when performed | | | | the type of condition being treated. |
| regularly can improve chronic and acute pain, | | | | Effleurage is essentially a stroking movement, and |
| reduce stress and aid in a sense of overall well | | | | the direction of stroking should always be |
| being, in addition to relaxing tight tense muscles. | | | | towards the heart. |
| There are many different massage techniques | | | | 2. Petrissage – Kneading |
| which use different types of manipulation for | | | | Benefits: Rids the tissues of adhesions, and |
| various results. My favorite is aromatherapy | | | | reaches the deeper layers of muscles not |
| massage. I choose an essential oil that the | | | | reached by other forms of massage. |
| massage therapist uses to either relax or | | | | 3. Tapotement – Percussion – |
| invigorate me, depending on what I prefer. Oils | | | | hacking, tapping etc. |
| are made of plant essences and are used to | | | | Benefits: Improves the interchange of fluid by |
| reduce stress, treat anxiety or insomnia, relax, or | | | | bringing the blood nearer to the surface of the |
| energize, and simply add a pleasurable aromatic | | | | body. |
| element to the massage. Lavender is very nice | | | | 4. Friction |
| and relaxing, as is eucalyptus, which also can clear | | | | Benefits: Used mainly over specific areas of the |
| your sinuses if you are feeling a little stuffy. | | | | body to break down either rheumatic nodules or |
| Another favorite of mine is tangerine. I feel | | | | fatty nodules. This movement is best carried out |
| relaxed yet invigorated afterward. Just ask the | | | | with the thumb pressed down hard on the skin. |
| massage therapist what he or she recommends | | | | With progressive, tiny circular movements of the |
| and enjoy | | | | thumb, move over the surface being treated in a |
| Other popular types of massage are deep muscle | | | | series of straight lines along the muscle rather |
| therapy and deep connective tissue massage, | | | | than across it. Carry on in this manner until the |
| which I think is where the saying – hurts | | | | whole area requiring treatment has been covered. |
| so good – comes from. If you have ever | | | | It is important to press onto the underlying |
| had this type of massage therapy, then you | | | | tissues so that the skin is moved with the |
| know what I mean. When we get stressed, our | | | | pressure. This is best performed where the |
| muscles tense up creating what feels like a lump | | | | muscle lies over a bony surface such as the area |
| under our skin. When massaged, the tissue is | | | | over the scap |
| loosened relaxing the surrounding muscle tissue. It | | | | There are many other types of massage |
| may be a little intense, but believe me, it is well | | | | therapy, including prenatal and postpartum |
| worth the pain. It is especially beneficial to people | | | | massage, sports massage, hot stone massage, |
| that have chronic muscle tension. You will feel | | | | shiatsu and acupressure; just too many to discuss |
| better afterward, have greater range of motion, | | | | here. Do you own research and find which type |
| and look at the world in a whole new light | | | | of massage you like most, and experience all the |
| Massage Techniques | | | | benefits that massage therapy has to offer. |
| 1. Effleurage – Stroking | | | | There are many licensed massage therapists |
| Benefits: This type of massage is used to | | | | around the country, and probably quite a few in |
| improve circulation. It also has a very soothing | | | | your area. Many of them will even come to your |
| effect, and helps relax muscles. Effleurage is | | | | home for your convenience. Prices range from |
| usually applied to the whole body, but this is by no | | | | $30-35 for a half hour, and $60-75 for a full hour. |
| means the rule. Effleurage can be purposefully | | | | Go on and pamper yourself, you will not be |
| applied to the back, chest, or perhaps just one | | | | disappointed. |