Massage Therapy

This long-respected healing art has a history which stretches back thousands of years and spans the globe. The first written records of massage date from 3,000 years ago in China, although it is certain that the use of touch to heal and soothe extends back to the earliest human experience. To rub a sore muscle or stroke another in comfort is a natural human instinct; and the "laying on of hands" has been valued among spiritual and healing traditions throughout history.

(See also: Massage Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Massage Therapy: Based on the idea that touch is read through the skin and can produce a sense of physical and emotional well-being. It works with both deep and light touch to stimulate functions of the body such as the circulatory and lymphatic systems. It can improve circulation and the supply of oxygen to the body’s tissues and is often used to reduce stress, ease pain and treat depression and digestive disorders.

(See also: Massage Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

BUDZEK MEDICAL MASSAGE THERAPY

Developed by Jeffrey Budzeky, RN, Budzek Medical Massage Therapy is designed to relieve acute and chronic pain resulting from muscle, nerve, and joint disorders. This multi-modality therapy is based on the specific sequence of 12 different bodywork techniques and addresses eight different aspects that affect the body simultaneously.

(See also: BUDZEK MEDICAL MASSAGE THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MASSAGE, BODYWORK AND SOMATIC THERAPIES

Massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies is the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body.

The application of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapy techniques may include, but is not limited to, stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction, pressure, and those techniques based on manipulation or the application of pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body.

This may also include non-forceful passive or active movement and/or application of techniques intended to affect the energetic systems of the body. The use of oils, lotions, powders, or other lubricants may also be included.

Massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies specifically exclude diagnosis, prescription, manipulation, or adjustments of the human skeletal structure, or any other service, procedure, or therapy that requires a license to practice orthopedics, physical therapy, podiatry, chiropractic, osteopathy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, or any other profession or branch of medicine.

(See also: MASSAGE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

VIBRATIONAL HEALING MASSAGE THERAPY

Vibrational Healing Massage Therapy (VHMT) is a bodywork therapy designed to restore one to fluidity. It is like massage therapy, providing touch techniques and distinctions that help a person live in their body as a liquid process, freeing pain as we have known it.

Vibrational Healing Massage Therapy works with the physical structure to free up past tensions and stresses that have been held in the body. This reawakening of the nervous system restores circulation to injured areas, moves energy and emotions, and helps in the letting go of chronic pain or stiffness. There are approximately 16 basic techniques that serve to align, loosen, and connect the body so tensions can reverberate freely.

Special sensitive stretching, rebounding, and torquing are some of the techniques helping clients to become aware of where they have been holding. Practitioners and recipients alike begin to feel not only their vibrations move within them, but also new circulation of their basic metabolic fluids flowing again to once-rigid areas. As they listen to people’s body rhythms and frequencies, practitioners of Vibrational Healing Massage Therapy facilitate a clothes-on massage therapy that is rhythmic and fun, like playing a fine-tuned violin or guitar.

Vibrational Healing Massage Therapy includes new distinctions of awareness in thinking, speaking, walking, standing, and sitting which allow for fully-connected and communicative bodies. These concepts are: The Fluid Body Model - a body of knowledge where we experience being in our bodies in a whole new way, acknowledging and honoring the fluid, evolving processes that we are; Disease as a Strategy - a self-responsible way of thinking that allows us to access self-healing and growth; and The Language of Healing - a way of speaking responsibly about our bodies and lives, so that when we speak, we are causing and accessing healing and transformation to happen.

(See also: VIBRATIONAL HEALING MASSAGE THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Sports massage

The prime purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body's soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Above all, it can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether one is an athlete, ardent keep-fitter or a once a week jogger.

This treatment is not just for the sports person: anyone can benefit from sports massage, including people in physically demanding jobs and those not quite so obvious (occupational, emotional and postural stress may produce many similar characteristics to sports injuries).

Sports massage tends to be deeper and more intense. It is based on the various elements of Swedish massage and often incorporates a combination of other techniques involving stretching, compression, friction, toning, and trigger point response techniques similar to Acupressure and Shiatsu. The skilled therapist brings together this blend of techniques, knowledge and advice during treatment, to work effectively with the client to bring about optimum performance and to provide injury-free training and minimise post event injuries.

(See also: Sports massage, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Deep Muscle Massage / Primmer Deep Muscle Therapy: This type of massage eliminates knots, locked up areas, and emotional blocks in the body due to prolonged stress. It includes various leverage techniques and kneading for a very firm massage.

(See also: Deep Muscle Massage / Primmer Deep Muscle Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

JAPANESE RESTORATION THERAPY & OKAZAKI LONG-LIFE MASSAGE

These are an integral part of traditional martial arts training that emphasizes a concern for physical well-being. Restoration therapy has been practiced in Japan for more than 1,500 years. It is a combination of amma, shiatsu, osteopathy, herbal medicine, and suggestive healing techniques.

To be a successful practitioner of restoration therapy, a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology is imperative, as well as knowledge of pathology, dietetics, psychology, and herbal medicines.

(See also: JAPANESE RESTORATION THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy / Deep Muscle Massage: This type of massage eliminates knots, locked up areas, and emotional blocks in the body due to prolonged stress. It includes various leverage techniques and kneading for a very firm massage.

(See also: Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Chinese Massage: Also called Tuina, it has the same importance, in Chinese traditional medicine that acupuncture, the moxibustion, the pharmacopeia or dietetics. Work in Chinese massage is carried out along the meridian lines which traverse the body. The expert stimulates the blocked points and reactivates energy along the meridian lines. This process makes it possible to awake the natural curative capacities of the body.

(See also: Chinese Massage, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Swedish Massage: While the healing power of touch is an ancient concept, this technique is named after Swedish massage pioneer, Peter Ling (1776-1839).  This technique emphasizes that all strokes go toward the heart.  Swedish massage uses five main strokes to stimulate the circulation of the blood through the soft tissue of the body.

Theory Swedish Massage

By stroking and kneading the body, metabolic processes and blood circulation are stimulated.  Basic Swedish massage is a relaxing massage that relieves stress, improves sleep, and enhances circulation by improving muscle tone and flexibility.

Techniques of Swedish Massage

Stroking with a light pressure is repeated rhythmically.  Fresh blood flows to the tissues, nourishing them with increased oxygen and other nutrients.

Petrissage or Kneading

Picking up the muscles by squeezing and pressing.  Petrissage helps reduce edema and decongests muscles by encouraging the expulsion of fluids from the muscle.

Friction or Rubbing

Circular or transverse strokes.  Friction massage helps free muscles from scar tissue formed after an injury.  It also helps loosen joints and tendons.

Tapotement or Percussion

Performed by cupping or clapping.  It can be light or deep.

Range of Motion

Mobilizes joints.  Parts of the body are rotated, flexed, and extended.

(See also: Swedish Massage, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

SOUND THERAPY

Using the media of sound (music, tones, vibrations, etc.) as a tool for healing, sound therapy enables the realignment of natural body rhythms. Therapy may include, but is not limited to, the use of tibetan singing bowls, chimes, acutonic tuning forks, rattles, and drums.

(See also: SOUND THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

ART THERAPY

Using the media of the arts (sculpture, painting, collage, etc.) to provide release of symbolic expression, art therapy allows the individual an opportunity to confront inner perceptions of the self.

(See also: ART THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

BREATH THERAPY

The use of respiratory exercises to open lung passages, oxygenate the blood, and cleanse the body by eliminating gaseous toxins. The client is encouraged to breath deeply while the therapist works the appropriate muscles. Breath therapy can ease anxieties and reduce stress.

(See also: BREATH THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

COLOR THERAPY

An ancient system using specific color rays to treat the body and mind, color therapy is based on the notion that organs and systems vibrate at certain frequencies. By applying a particular color ray on an area, the correct vibration - bringing with it health - will be restored.

(See also: COLOR THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

CRYSTLEDYNE THERAPY

Utilizing self-activated crystal stimulator, which creates an electrical stimulus when two crystals inside are forced together, this therapy stimulates acupuncture, acupressure, and reflexology points on the body, releasing endorphins from the brain to help block pain receptors in afflicted areas and open circuits of the body.

(See also: CRYSTLEDYNE THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

HOSHINO THERAPY

Developed by Japanese-born, Argentine immigrant Tomezo Hoshino, Hoshino Therapy was declared an official medical therapy in Argentina in 1952. Hoshino is a non-intrusive massage and movement system to relieve and prevent musculoskeletal pain and restore vitality. Hoshino therapy recognizes 250 vital acupuncture pressure points directly over the muscles, tendons and ligaments which relate to the bio-mechanical functioning of the body. Pressure and body warmth are applied by the first joint of the thumb and with full-hand contact to reverse the hardening of the soft tissues. Therapy is combined with daily exercises called Hoshino Action.

(See also: HOSHINO THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Trigger Point, Neuromuscular, Myotherapy

This refers to any of several systems of working with trigger points. Trigger points are tender congested spots of muscle tissue, which may radiate pain to other areas. Significant relief results when the trigger point is treated.

(See also: Trigger Point Massage, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Therapeutic Massage/Touch  - A healing technique that combines traditional laying of the hands with certain Eastern theories of energy flow. It is based on the concept of unblocking "fields of energy" in the body to relieve pain and disease (backache, tension, headache).

(See also: Therapeutic Massage/Touch, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

RESTORATION THERAPY

Restoration therapy has been practiced in Japan for more than 1,500 years and has proven successful in the treatment of migraine headaches, nervous tension, general fatigue, and muscular aches and pains. Professor Seishiro Okazaki was the foremost exponent of restoration therapy in America. He founded the Kodenkan Dojo, Ju-Jitsu School, and Nikko Restoration Sanatorium in Honolulu in 1929.

The practitioners of this method in Japan are entitled to the same rank as doctor. It is a combination of amma (original Japanese therapy) acupressure, shiatsu, chiropractic, osteopathy, and herbal medicines.

Restoration therapy is divided into four age groups and to be a successful practitioner of restoration therapy, a thorough knowledge of anatomy and physiology is imperative.

(See also: RESTORATION THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

SPA THERAPIES

A variety of body treatments administered in spas. Herbal wraps, loofah body scrubs, parafango, salt scrubs, seaweed body wraps, hydrotherapy treatments, etc. See Spa Treatments section.

(See also: SPA THERAPIES, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)