Massage Styles and Techniques

Acupressure
An ancient healing art developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy (chi) to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure may use the same points, but instead of needles acupressure uses gentle but firm pressure.
Corporate Massage
Massage therapy moves into the business world. Corporate massage is performed at your place of work. This usually involves a therapist arriving with a table or seat designed specifically for massage therapy. Oils and creams are not usually used to protect the clients clothes. Instead specialised techniques are performed through the clothes to release tension and remove restrictions. Appointments vary between 15 and 60 minutes and usually cater to a group rather than a single appointment.
Chinese Massage
One of the original styles of bodywork. It comprises many therapeutic techniques including pressing, rubbing, stroking, pinching and striking. It is believed to effective for adjusting the function of the nervous system, strengthening the physical resistance against disease and promoting the blood circulation and relaxing the muscles and joints. Similar to acupuncture points along meridians are stimulated to achieve energy balance throughout the human system.
Day Spas & Retreats
Massage Styles vary greatly between Day Spas but are usually some type of Relaxation Massage. A Day Spa is meant to offer a water treatment with the massage such as a spa or vichi shower. There are even some Day Spas offering massage while under the vichi shower. Day Spas offer a range of treatments sometimes including beauty therapy combined to make a “Package.
Deep Muscle Therapy
A name given to this style by Chris Lewin of Qld. It is a deep tissue therapy using forearms, elbows and fists running at various angles to the muscle fibres. Manual manipulation of muscle, connective tissue and ligaments to remove restrictions and adhesions. Uses a unique phalange movement which is similar to how you iron your clothes.
Facial Massage
A very relaxing massage to sooth the facial muscles that cause tension and lines. Using a combination of oils, creams and hot compresses the client is put into a deeply relaxed state while the skin and muscles of the face are replenished, relaxed and restored. More flowing and relaxing than conventional beauty therapy facials.
Mobile Massage
Have table, will travel. Mobile massage therapists come to your location. They bring a portable table, towels, oils and creams, then set up in a location suitable for you. There is no one style used in mobile massage. It can range from relaxation to sports or remedial. Not everyone is comfortable to or able to visit a clinic so this is a wonderful way for them to receive a treatment.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release therapy works on the idea that poor posture, physical injury, illness, and emotional stress can throw the body out of alignment and cause the intricate web of fascia to become taut and constricted. Gentle stretching techniques are applied to areas of the body and held for 3 to 5 minute. As barriers are broken though a new are is explored and released.
Remedial Massage
Remedial means to remedy; to cure. Remedial Massage describes the use of specific massage techniques and a wide range of assessments to effect a cure in a patient. Remedial massage therapists should have a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology, physical examination, and specific remedial massage techniques. By thorough examination the Remedial massage therapist assesses the dysfunction or complaint, makes a treatment plan, then uses effective massage techniques to remedy the complaint.
Remedial massage is aimed at the complaint; it is not a full body therapeutic system. Conditions that can be treated with remedial massage include tennis elbow, repetitive strain injuries, stress induced headaches, back or neck pain, sporting injuries and more.
Shiatsu
Japanese finger pressure. Uses acupressure points along the body in lines. Differs greatly to Chinese acupressure as it does not do points at some distances from each other, but instead follows a pattern of points along a muscle group. There are quite a few styles of Shiatsu – some using the meridian system, some not. Namikoshi and Zen being two popular forms. In general Shiatsu works on improving Ki (energy) around the body via channels. Some use Hara diagnosis – a system checking the patients wellness through examination of the abdominal region. Pressure is then applied to tsubo points (a pressure point where Ki can gather) to influence the subtle movement of the energies.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a western form of massage using kneading and gliding strokes with lubricant (usually oil) to increase blood and lymph flow. French terms are used to denote techniques. “Petrissage” is used to warm up the muscles with a kneading action, “Effleurage” a gliding technique for warming up or flushing the the area, “Tapotement” (also called percussion) a striking action for separating adhesions and cross-linkages, and “Friction” rubbing for specific tissue release usually using the thumbs. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. The massage aims at directing strokes towards the heart and increases circulation without increasing heart load.
Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management.
Sustained Myofascial Tension
Borrowing from Rolfing, Connective Tissue Massage and similar techniques this system uses a shear force applied deeply to the muscle then slowly pushing along the length of the muscle. A blocking force is used to stabilized one end of the tissue while the muscle is ironed out away from the stabilized end. Very popular in sports massage.

Source : http://www.massagelotion.net/massageinformation/index2.html

The Healing Benefits of Traditional Thai Massage

Thai massage, also known as Nuad Phaen Boran, is an ancient massage that involves not only deep muscle massage, but stretching, elements of shiatsu, yoga, and acupressure as well. Nuad Phaen Boran actually translates into “ancient massage” or “traditional massage.”

Traditional Thai massage has been practised for over 2,500 years. It not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well. It actually began in India. The Buddhist monks practised both massage and other healing arts. This spread to families and as Buddhism spread to Asia, the traditional Thai massage became a part of both the religious and healing part of the religion. It is believed that traditional Thai massage made it to Thailand around the 3rd or 2nd century BC. Many times, monastery temples were built near medical schools so the art of massage was taught among both monks and medical students.

Traditional Thai massage focuses on the experience of the whole body. It works on the major energy lines, known as ‘Sen’. These Sen run throughout the body. By loosening blockages, the massage will help harmonize the body and recoup any deficiencies of the energy lines. Just as Chinese medicine uses acupuncture to help revive health, traditional Thai massage uses a similar system of pressure points to help heal and relieve stress. The Prana, or life energy, is allows to freely circulate through the body.

Traditional Thai massage has many benefits. Whether you are the receiver of the massage or the giver of the massage, you can feel joy, ease, and comfort. The massage will open up your chakras, allowing you to have a more peaceful mind as well as benefiting your health.

The giver of the traditional Thai massage also will receive generosity, compassion, equanimity, the feeling of oneness, the feeling of loving kindness, and the pride that can only be felt by a healer. The receiver will feel the joy of receiving as well as a calmness of rest and a refreshed spirit. Physically, the receiver feels a general increase in energy due to the opening of Sen and other blocked areas in the body. They will also feel relief from pain and muscle tension, blood and lymph circulation is improved, and the nervous system is balanced. An increase in flexibility is also possible.

Traditional Thai massage is a floor massage. The receiver usually is asked to lay on a pad or light mattress. By lying on the floor, the practitioner can easily manipulate the limbs of the receiver. Massages are given in silence, so the practitioner can better understand what the receiver needs are while the receiver can concentrate on learning about himself and his body. Practitioners start at the feet and moves toward the receiver’s head, making the body feel loosened and stretched. A massage can last between two and three hours. Sometimes it combines techniques used in western physical therapies such as Neuromuscular therapy, Myofascial Release Techniques, and Remedial massage. Traditional Thai massage is great for athletes as it keeps them flexible and helps prevent and treat injuries. It also helps improve the flexibility and mobility of the handicapped.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-healing-benefits-of-traditional-thai-massage-157570.html

About the Author:
Annalisa Zisman, a proficient author and tutor, she is a leading practitioner for many massage courses. Annalisa specializes in Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot and Thai Herbal Compress Massage techniques.

A tourists guide to Thai massage

The ancient art of therapeutic massage was first developed in India some 2,500 years ago and brought to Thailand by Buddhist monks about 1,800 years back. Well known for its healing properties, Thai traditional massage is developing into a global brand.

More and more westerners come here to be trained in this kneading art, with Wat Pho in Bangkok probably the most well-known place for receiving instruction. Chiang Mai in the north also offers a wealth of more or less accredited schools, teaching a softer northern style massage technique. There are courses however in Phuket, Pattaya and Samui.

Tourists and visitors to Thailand soon observe that the practice of mutual rubdowns is an everyday custom practiced openly and without embarrassment. Mothers kneading babies, teens their grandparents, vendors and motorcycle taxi drivers their colleagues’ tired shoulders or even easy chairs on the pavement offering instant foot massages for weary pedestrians. Thailand travel and tourist information

Then there is in-flight massage service on the national carrier and the mechanical massage chairs in airports or shopping malls. Put in a 10 baht coin and get three minutes of shaky back massage – just make sure you don’t fall asleep mid-massage.

But possibly the oddest place for a foreigner to be offered a massage is while standing in front of the urinal at an upmarket nightclub or restaurant. The toilet attendant will sneakily approach you from behind to place a hot towel on your neck and then start rubbing your shoulders.

Traditional Thai massage is for the most part practiced by women, but is also an important job for the blind. “Women can massage any clients regardless of age or gender, but male masseurs who can see may unintentionally be seduced by their visual perception,” says Aree Sanyaluck, massage teacher in Chiang Mai. “Unsighted masseurs are able to concentrate better and have purer intentions.”

Anyone who tells of their Thai massage experience to those who aren’t familiar with this art will likely get nudge-nudge quips about ‘special’ services. It is important to distinguish between massage with clothes on and with clothes off. Sadly, Thailand is better known for the latter, especially in some parts of Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. But this is a misrepresentation.

Both kinds are social more than individual occasions with patrons chatting to each other through the partitioning or even to the masseuse who welcomes any distraction to lessen her boring routine. Visits to the flashy palaces offering more carnal pleasures as part of the massage routine are also usually done in groups, often to round off an evening of drinking and eating.

But back to the real tradition Thai massage, this is offered by skilled massage persons in all tourist areas, such as Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Samui and Pattaya. They are very inexpensive and a two hour treatment will cover all 104 main energy points in the body using a kneading, yoga type positions, stretching and other techniques. Then there is the soothing oil massage and of course foot massage, which is similar to reflexology. Guide to massage in Phuket

Lately there has been a boom in the spa industry in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket, where massage is central to many of the treatments on offer and although probably more expensive they are a very relaxing and pampering experience.

Source: Free Articles
Author : Andy Burrows is a Thailand expert who never misses a week without getting a relaxing Thai massage.