Massage Therapy & Bodywork
Massage therapy and bodywork is one of the oldest health care practices known. References to massage are found in Chinese medical texts more than 4,000 years old. Massage has been advocated in Western health care practices at least since the time of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine."
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body.
Generally, massage is known to affect the circulation of blood and the flow of blood and lymph, reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and enhance tissue healing. Massage therapy also has a number of documented clinical benefits. For example, massage can reduce anxiety, improve pulmonary function in young asthma patients, reduce psycho-emotional distress in persons suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease, increase weight and improve motor development in premature infants, and may enhance immune system functioning.
Some medical conditions that massage therapy can help are: allergies, anxiety and stress, arthritis, asthma and bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries, chronic and temporary pain, circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, tension headache, insomnia, myofascial pain, sports injuries, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Resource: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body.
Generally, massage is known to affect the circulation of blood and the flow of blood and lymph, reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and enhance tissue healing. Massage therapy also has a number of documented clinical benefits. For example, massage can reduce anxiety, improve pulmonary function in young asthma patients, reduce psycho-emotional distress in persons suffering from chronic inflammatory bowel disease, increase weight and improve motor development in premature infants, and may enhance immune system functioning.
Some medical conditions that massage therapy can help are: allergies, anxiety and stress, arthritis, asthma and bronchitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive motion injuries, chronic and temporary pain, circulatory problems, depression, digestive disorders, tension headache, insomnia, myofascial pain, sports injuries, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Resource: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Infant Massage
Infant massage is a parent tradition within many ancient cultures that has been re-discovered and adapted for parents and babies around the world. Research conducted through the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine confirms the importance of a secure environment and nurturing touch in the healthy growth, development and maturation of children.
Benefits of Infant Massage for Infants:
Improved Sleep Patterns
Reduction of Stress
Enhanced Motor Development
Improved Interaction in Family
Help for Depressed Babies and Mothers
Increased Weight Gain for Premature Babies
Helpful for Cocaine Exposed Babies
Benefits of Infant Massage for Parents:
Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to care for baby.
Parents learn to understand and respond to baby's cues.
Parents learn techniques to comfort, calm, and soothe their babies.
Provides an additional avenue for close and nurturing contact.
Infant massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this important early nurturing and an amazing tool for helping parents become closer to their babies.
Resource: Infantmassageusa.org
Benefits of Infant Massage for Infants:
Improved Sleep Patterns
Reduction of Stress
Enhanced Motor Development
Improved Interaction in Family
Help for Depressed Babies and Mothers
Increased Weight Gain for Premature Babies
Helpful for Cocaine Exposed Babies
Benefits of Infant Massage for Parents:
Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to care for baby.
Parents learn to understand and respond to baby's cues.
Parents learn techniques to comfort, calm, and soothe their babies.
Provides an additional avenue for close and nurturing contact.
Infant massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this important early nurturing and an amazing tool for helping parents become closer to their babies.
Resource: Infantmassageusa.org
Integrative Lomi Lomi
The Hawaiian Pocket Dictionary defines lomi lomi as a method "to rub, press, crush, massage, rub out; to work in and out, as claws of a contented cat." Another translation is, "to break up into small pieces." In the early 1900's lomi lomi was coined "Hawaiian massage" by the legal system.
"The depth of true lomi lomi was virtually limitless in terms of its ability to offer potential for healing to each patient; however, the government of the time had to label it" and put in a category, which is not the Hawaiian way," says Maka'ala Yates, a Hawaiian medicine specialist. "It is correct to say that lomi lomi encompasses a massage, but it is not limited to it. Native Hawaiians say the true definition of lomi lomi is reconnecting with spirit."
"Recipients of a lomi lomi treatment often experience freedom from anxiety, worry, fear and a host of other negative thought patterns."
While lomi lomi is often referred to as a spiritual massage, the technique is also practical and specific. It is, for example, effective in breaking up calcium deposits and lactic acid build-up. This is accomplished by a variety of movements, such as circular thumb strokes that are done in a one-two-three rhythm directly over the area. Knuckle strokes are used on larger, denser muscles in the same rhythm, followed by soothing forearm strokes and hacking.
Information from an article on the history of Lomi Lomi, written by Tamara Mondragon for the July 2000 issue of Massage Magazine.
Resource: www.lomilomi.com
"The depth of true lomi lomi was virtually limitless in terms of its ability to offer potential for healing to each patient; however, the government of the time had to label it" and put in a category, which is not the Hawaiian way," says Maka'ala Yates, a Hawaiian medicine specialist. "It is correct to say that lomi lomi encompasses a massage, but it is not limited to it. Native Hawaiians say the true definition of lomi lomi is reconnecting with spirit."
"Recipients of a lomi lomi treatment often experience freedom from anxiety, worry, fear and a host of other negative thought patterns."
While lomi lomi is often referred to as a spiritual massage, the technique is also practical and specific. It is, for example, effective in breaking up calcium deposits and lactic acid build-up. This is accomplished by a variety of movements, such as circular thumb strokes that are done in a one-two-three rhythm directly over the area. Knuckle strokes are used on larger, denser muscles in the same rhythm, followed by soothing forearm strokes and hacking.
Information from an article on the history of Lomi Lomi, written by Tamara Mondragon for the July 2000 issue of Massage Magazine.
Resource: www.lomilomi.com
Orthopedic Massage
"Combining some elements of sports and medical massage, orthopedic massage integrates ten modalities to treat soft-tissue pain and injury. Emphasis is placed on understanding both the injury and its rehabilitation criteria. Three basic elements adhered to, despite the technical diversity in treatment, are:
1) assessment,
2) matching the treatment to the injury, and
3) adaptability of treatment."
Resource: www.massagetherapy.com
1) assessment,
2) matching the treatment to the injury, and
3) adaptability of treatment."
Resource: www.massagetherapy.com
Prenatal Massage
"Performed by a trained perinatal specialist, many methods of massage and somatic therapies are both effective and safe prenatally and during labor and postpartum periods of women’s pregnancies. Prenatally, specific techniques can reduce pregnancy discomforts and concerns and enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus.
Skilled, appropriate touch facilitates labor, shortening labor times and easing pain and anxiety. In the postpartum period, specialized techniques re-balance structure, physiology, and emotions of the new mother and may help her to bond with and care for her infant. Specialized, advanced training in the anatomy, physiology, complications, precautions, and contraindications is highly recommended, and many practitioners require referrals from physicians prior to therapy."
Resource: www.massagetherapy.com
Skilled, appropriate touch facilitates labor, shortening labor times and easing pain and anxiety. In the postpartum period, specialized techniques re-balance structure, physiology, and emotions of the new mother and may help her to bond with and care for her infant. Specialized, advanced training in the anatomy, physiology, complications, precautions, and contraindications is highly recommended, and many practitioners require referrals from physicians prior to therapy."
Resource: www.massagetherapy.com
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork. The word shiatsu means "finger pressure". Like acupuncture, shiatsu is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") through the body.
The goal of shiatsu is to balance energy, remove stagnation and energize deficiencies. The meridians (energy pathways) are treated using acupressure, compressions and stretching. Although deeply relaxing, a treatment usually leaves the receiver feeling refreshed.
A scientific explanation is that shiatsu calms an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which improves circulation, relieves stiff muscles, and alleviates stress.
Source: altmedicine.about.com and Jen Napoli
The goal of shiatsu is to balance energy, remove stagnation and energize deficiencies. The meridians (energy pathways) are treated using acupressure, compressions and stretching. Although deeply relaxing, a treatment usually leaves the receiver feeling refreshed.
A scientific explanation is that shiatsu calms an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which improves circulation, relieves stiff muscles, and alleviates stress.
Source: altmedicine.about.com and Jen Napoli
Sports Massage
"Sports massage is designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. There are three contexts in which sports massage can be useful to an athlete: pre-event, post-event, and injury treatment.
Pre-event massage is delivered at the performance site, usually with the athlete fully clothed. Fast-paced and stimulating, it helps to establish blood flow and to warm up muscles. During the massage, the athlete generally focuses on visualizing the upcoming event.
Post-event massage is also delivered on site, through the clothes. The intent here is to calm the nervous system and begin the process of flushing toxins and waste products out of the body. Post-event massage can reduce recovery time, enabling an athlete to resume training much sooner than rest alone would allow.
When an athlete sustains an injury, skillful massage therapy can often speed and improve the quality of healing."
Resource: www.massagetherapy.com
Pre-event massage is delivered at the performance site, usually with the athlete fully clothed. Fast-paced and stimulating, it helps to establish blood flow and to warm up muscles. During the massage, the athlete generally focuses on visualizing the upcoming event.
Post-event massage is also delivered on site, through the clothes. The intent here is to calm the nervous system and begin the process of flushing toxins and waste products out of the body. Post-event massage can reduce recovery time, enabling an athlete to resume training much sooner than rest alone would allow.
When an athlete sustains an injury, skillful massage therapy can often speed and improve the quality of healing."
Resource: www.massagetherapy.com
Thai Bodywork
Traditional Thai bodywork is a unique and powerful healing art that combines physical, energetic, and spiritual healing techniques and concepts. Thai bodywork is more casual than a western massage and is typically done on the floor on a padded mat fully clothed. It is the skillful combination of applying both broad and targeted acupressure, finding and dissolving blockages, stimulating energy lines (sen), opening and toning the body with yoga-like stretches, and allowing and encouraging the receiver to engage in a process of self healing, relaxation, and renewal.
Resource: www.piercedoerr.com, http://www.thaihealing-arts.com/about-thai-massage/
Resource: www.piercedoerr.com, http://www.thaihealing-arts.com/about-thai-massage/
Wellness Massage
Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
"...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - The World Health Organization.
Wellness massage provides holistic care for the client and is an excellent approach for preventative and maintenance care. Focus is given to overall relaxation and stress reduction and uses a non-invasive and gentle approach to integrate the body, mind and spirit in optimal health.
Wellness massage provides a number of benefits, just a few being:
"...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." - The World Health Organization.
Wellness massage provides holistic care for the client and is an excellent approach for preventative and maintenance care. Focus is given to overall relaxation and stress reduction and uses a non-invasive and gentle approach to integrate the body, mind and spirit in optimal health.
Wellness massage provides a number of benefits, just a few being:
- reduction of muscle tension and stiffness
- increase of the ease and efficiency of movement
- relief of stress and aide of relaxation
- promotion of deeper and easier breathing
- improvement of the circulation of blood and movement of lymph
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