| Massage therapy is one of the oldest medical | | | | ligaments, tendons and joints. |
| treatments. There are records of this treatment | | | | Breema bodywork: This is also performed on the |
| being practiced almost 4,000 years ago. | | | | floor with the subject fully clothed. It is composed |
| Admittedly it was a fairly simple form of | | | | of gentle leans and stretches, to aid deep |
| treatment at this time and was referred to as | | | | relaxation. Sessions typically last for about 50 |
| "rubbing." Modern massage therapy has now | | | | minutes. |
| evolved to incorporate many techniques and is a | | | | Chair massage: This can be done either manually |
| recognized form of alternative treatment. It is all | | | | or by mechanical means, motors in the actual |
| part of a holistic approach to medicine that looks | | | | chair. |
| at the entire overall health of the patient. | | | | Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage and involves |
| Basic massage: pressure, tension, motion, or | | | | pushing, stretching and kneading the muscle. Zhi |
| vibration is applied to the soft tissues of the body. | | | | Ya is another form of Chinese massage based on |
| This can also include lymphatic vessels, joints, | | | | acupuncture. It involves pinching and pressing the |
| ligaments, muscles, connective tissue and tendons. | | | | acupuncture points. |
| It can be applied to the whole body or parts of it. | | | | CranioSacral Therapy: This, as the name applies, is |
| There are many reasons for using massage | | | | the gentle massage of the head and spine. |
| therapy, a few common ones are; to help heal | | | | Deep muscle therapy: this technique is generally |
| the body after injury, relive stress, manage pain, | | | | focused on increasing blood and lymphatic flow to |
| or improve circulation. | | | | the muscles. It is often used to promote healing |
| The patient is treated by, sitting in a massage | | | | and help manage back and neck pain. |
| chair, lying on a massage table, or lying on a pad | | | | Deep tissue techniques: This massage therapy |
| on the floor. They are generally unclothed, or | | | | concentrates on specific sets of muscles, or |
| disrobed, with their body "draped" in towels or | | | | joints. An experienced massage therapist should |
| sheets. How the body is "draped " depends on | | | | do this as when it is misapplied or done too |
| where in the world you are having this treatment | | | | quickly this massage can cause more problems |
| done. The therapy begins with the patient lying on | | | | and not help the patient. |
| their back and continues with them face | | | | Effleurage: This form of massage is almost like |
| downward. Relaxation is necessary for massage | | | | stroking and is used to calm the muscles. It is |
| therapy to be effective. | | | | often performed around the heart to help |
| Oils are sometimes used to increase the effects | | | | circulation and lymphatic drainage. |
| of massage therapy. Different oils are supposed | | | | Esalen Massage: This style of massage therapy |
| to induce different reactions in the body. Massage | | | | uses traditional methods in a gentle manner. This |
| therapy can also be practiced with no oil. Hot | | | | will relax the body and help muscles and circulation. |
| steam or sauna baths are often taken prior to | | | | Foot massage: The Chinese have different points |
| massage therapy. This will help the patient to get | | | | on the sole of the foot that they associate with |
| warmed up and relax so that treatment can be | | | | different organs of the body. This is to do with |
| more effective. | | | | nerve endings in the sole and in theory is related |
| There are several different types of massage | | | | to acupuncture and acupressure. This requires the |
| that are used in massage therapy. Here are some | | | | patient to soak their foot in a foot bath of warm |
| common ones: | | | | water and herbs before having this massage |
| Barefoot Deep Tissue: This is a combination of | | | | therapy done. |
| Eastern and Western techniques. The patient is | | | | As you can see there are many types and styles |
| loosely clothed and lain on their back or side, on a | | | | of massage therapy. It is best to have this done |
| mat on the floor. No oil is used in this technique. | | | | by a licensed therapist who will know what |
| Bowen Technique: This is a rolling technique | | | | combination of techniques to apply to your |
| movement that is done to the fascia, muscles, | | | | particular situation. |