Posts Tagged ‘sports massage’
Massage is an effective treatment for numerous issues, from neck pain to stress. Before opting for medications or pills, try the natural and indulgent approach of massage.
Can can massage fix for you? Take a peek at just a few examples below.
Neck pain
Ten neck massages over 10 weeks. Sound good? People with chronic neck pain reported a 55 percent improvement after this regimen, according to a 2009 study in the Clinical Journal of Pain. They even scored 39 percent better on the worst-sounding test ever, the Neck Disability Index. (It assesses the pain’s impact.)
Athletic performance
“Musculotendinous” massages target muscle-tendon junctions, and a 2010 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that even a 30-second round improved hip-flexor range of motion.
Stress
You don’t need a full-body rubdown to feel good. In a 2010 study from Sweden, one 80-minute hand-and-foot massage significantly lowered people’s heart rates, cortisol levels, and insulin levels—all of which help lower stress.
Need to lower stress? Schedule your massage today.
Depression
Take your pick: Swedish, shiatsu, and other massage types may ease depression, a 2010 meta-analysis in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found. (How? Massages reduce stress hormone levels, heart rate, and blood pressure, and boost mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin.
High blood pressure
A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that after people with normal blood pressure had deep-tissue massage for 45 to 60 minutes, their BPs fell—specifically, by an average of 10.4 millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg) systolic, and 5.3 mm/Hg diastolic.
Lower-back pain
Back problems can be complex. One solution is simple: Common massage techniques can help you relax, and trigger an endorphin release that raises your threshold for pain. And that might help people with all sorts of lower-back pain, notes a 2009 meta-analysis in the journal Spine.
Moyer Total Wellness is open Sundays from 9am – 8pm. Book a 1-hr Signature Massage any Sunday in 2012 for only $44.
Upgrade to a 1.5 hr massage for only $19 more.
Upgrade to a Hot Stone Massage for only $15 more.
Moyer Total Wellness finished Runner-Up our of 220 Denver Massage companies for “Best Massage in Denver”. Last summer, Channel 7 held its annual “A-list” competition. Moyer Total Wellness finished second place for best massage in Denver. But, in all fairness, the first place winner was a Massage Center located in Littleton. So, technically, we are the Best Massage in Denver!
Our massage services are locally known as the best because we only hire very experienced massage therapists, most with over 8 years experience of massage experience. Additionally, we keep our prices low with our Year of Wellness massage membership program. Members receive 55 min signature massages for only $40. 80 min massages are only $59. The cost of the massage membership program is only $99.
As you may know, massag therapy at Moyer Total Wellness has really grown. We went from one massage therapist in April of 2010 to 10 massage therapists today! The reason is because we only hire the most experieneced and caring therapists.
If you agree that we offer the Best Massage in Denver, please vote for us today!
As a nice little incentive, you can print off your voter page and bring it in for $20 off the regular price ($59).
Members can use this for $5 off their regular price ($40).
Thanks for supporting us…again, that link is…http://ctvr.us/moyertotal?r=em
Do you sit at a desk all day staring at your computer, talking on the phone, and dealing with stress-related issues? If so, by the end of the day, you probably feel exhausted and can’t wait to get home. By the end of the week, you’re stiff, achy, and possibly a little headachy. By the end of the year, you may have all sorts of ailments such as tension headaches, shoulder pain, stiff neck, and more. Over-the-counter drugs or a glass of wine or two may relieve your pain temporarily. But wouldn’t you rather find a healthier, long-term solution? Believe it or not, massage therapy may be the answer.
You might think going for a massage is a luxury you can’t afford, but when it comes to your health, you should think of it as a necessity. The staff at the Mayo Clinic in their article: Massage: Get in touch with its many health benefits, reported that having a regular massage can help with stress relief, managing anxiety and depression, pain, and stiffness.
Massage therapists are not only found in spas and luxury hotels anymore. Many clinics, physicians, and hospitals have therapists on staff, like Moyer Total Wellness. The most common types of massage therapy include Swedish, deep-tissue, sports, and trigger point; however be sure to discuss your health issues with your therapist, so he or she can decide what’s best for you.
If you suffer with chronic pain such as tension and migraine headaches, shoulder pain and a stiff neck from your sitting at your desk all day, a professional massage therapist may help you work through the pain in a few treatments. However, a good therapist will also recommend stretching and certain types of exercise between appointments.
Worried about the cost? Most certified massage therapists charge $55 to $85 per one hour session depending on where you live. You should also check with your health insurance. Many will cover massage therapy treatments for medical reasons. But, of course, at Moyer Total Wellness, new clients can get a 1-hr massage for only $49.99 and members get their massage for only $40!
If you suffer from chronic pain, frequent headaches, and other ailments caused by everyday stress in an office environment, try massage therapy. You might be surprised at the outcome.
Interested in a massage this month?
Locally known for outstanding massage therapy, Moyer Total Wellness is offering a special through the end of the month.
Schedule a massage this month, and pay only $40.
Want to upgrade to a 1.5-hr massage? Special price only $59.
Stiff shoulders? Aching back? In a time of high gas prices, a shaky economy, and political rancor, it’s no wonder that many of us are feeling a bit stressed lately. Add the usual aches and pains that come along with age, arthritis, sports injuries and the strain of hunching over a computer all day, and the result is a body crying out for a therapeutic massage.
A therapeutic massage is a great way to pamper your body and spirit and you don’t even have to spend a days paycheck at your local spa to get one. Moyer Total Wellness provides therapeutic massages by licensed massage therapists at an affordable rate. Only $49.99 for new clients and $40 for members. (Reg price of a one hour massage is $59)
Massage feels good, of course, but it also does a body good. According to research studies posted on the website of the National Institute of Health’s Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine, massages can improve the immune system, reduce blood pressure and ease neck pain.
“It enhances the immune system by stimulating blood flow and moving lymphocytes,” said Tony Chilelli, a licensed massage therapist who has been practicing in Denver for over 20 years.
“It is relaxing to those who are stressed and some people report they are able to sleep better,” said Sabra, a licensed massage therapist in Denver who has been practicing for nine years. Among its many benefits, she said, “It improves the pliability of fascia, increases circulation, clears the system of toxins and increases endorphins.”
There are several types of massages, among them Swedish, deep tissues, myofascial and hot stone. In a Swedish massages, the most common type, the therapist applies a series of kneading, circular and sweeping strokes. In a deep tissue massage, the therapist applies a firmer pressure to treat stubborn muscle tension. In a myofascial massage, the therapist concentrates on massaging connective ligaments. In a hot stone massage, the therapist places heated stones on the client’s body to warm and soothe the muscles.
Although hot stone massages are a bit more expensive than standard massages, clients love them. ($15 more)
“It will warm you for about three days,” said Sabra. “My clients have told me ‘my legs feel like rubber.’”
People get massages for various reasons, noted Sabra. They may have arthritis or sports injuries or tension from sitting at a desk for hours a day. However, a therapeutic massage can benefit everyone, not just those with specific aches and pains, the therapists stressed.
“It’s an investment in your health,” said Sack.
A monthly massage is optimal for keeping muscles and connective tissue supple, said Shaw, although persons may need one more often.
Although most insurers do not cover massages, clients can use money in pre-tax health spending accounts to pay for therapeutic massages. In addition, an insurer may cover massage therapy for a person who gets a prescription for therapeutic massage from his or her physician.
It’s important to find a licensed massage therapist. Although anyone can give massages, only someone who has completed a massage therapy course and passed a licensing examination can call himself or herself a massage therapist. A licensed massage therapist will have the initials “LMT” or “CMT” or a license number on his or her business card and advertisements. It’s also helpful to ask the therapist if he or she is experienced in doing the type of massage requested, such as deep tissue, myofascial or pre-natal.
Look Good, Feel Good, Do Good.
Here are 9 simple habits to get into that will change your appearance over time for the better.
No.8 Change your bedsheets
Dirty pillow cases are a prime reason for breakouts, so switching your sheets once a week will reduce your skin‘s contact with pore-clogging grime. It’s particularly important to lay out some fresh bedding if you frequently have a female in your bed, as residue from women’s makeup and hair products can get left behind on your sheets and subsequently be transferred to your face.
No.7 Shampoo no more than once a day
Ideally, you should wash your hair no more than a few times a week as over-shampooing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dull and brittle. If you’re a regular exerciser, however, you can’t get around lathering up on a daily basis, so make sure to follow up with an intensive conditioner. For men who can’t get morning workouts in, skip the shampoo session if you shower in the a.m. and suds up only after you exercise later in the day.
No.6 Floss every day and whiten teeth every six months
For a more attractive smile, nothing beats regular flossing as it gets rid of any unsightly buildup between your teeth. Take things one step further by using a drugstore whitening kit, which will do an excellent job of noticeably, but not freakishly, lightening the color of your teeth. Just make sure you whiten no more than once every six months or you could develop sensitive gums. For a week after whitening, avoid consuming products that could stain your teeth, such as red wine, coffee and soy sauce, and brush your teeth as soon as you can if you slip up.
No.5 Cleanse, moisturize, apply eye care cream, and use lip balm every morning
A basic skin care routine is an absolute must for improving your appearance. Start with a mild cleanser, preferably one with a 2% concentration of salicylic acid to help zap zits. Follow it up two to three times a week with an exfoliant to really get the gunk out of your skin and slough off dead cells. Next, apply a moisturizer that contains a broad-spectrum SPF to replenish your skin’s moisture levels and prevent aging related to sun damage. Then dab on an eye cream, working from the outside in toward the center of your face, to hydrate and keep the thin skin in this region supple. Finally, slick on a lip balm with an SPF of 15 to keep your lips soft, smooth and kissable.
No.4 Avoid sugar and simple carbs
A diet that’s high in lean protein, vegetables, slow-digesting grains, and healthy fats is one that will reduce bloating in your belly and decrease any puffiness in your face. Furthermore, steering clear of sugar and simple carbs will go a long way toward eliminating acne or keeping it at bay as junk food, even in moderate amounts, is a common cause of troubled skin.
No.3 Get eight hours of sleep
Those seven to nine hours that you should be spending unconscious every day are when your body repairs itself. Skimping on this vital restorative process makes your entire system run less efficiently, and the signs of sleep deprivation show up on your face first. In fact, all it takes is a few nights without enough sleep before you start looking like a haggard zombie. On the other hand, prioritizing sleep will guarantee you appear refreshed and alert and it will also decrease puffy eyes and unflattering dark circles.
No.2 Drink eight glasses of water a day
Staying hydrated keeps you healthy and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Sipping water slowly rather than pounding it also makes it easier for your body to absorb. Additionally, be mindful of your caffeine and alcohol intake. Both substances are diuretics, meaning they cause your body to release water, which can translate into pasty, dry skin and more visible fine lines. Offset your consumption of these beverages by drinking an 8oz glass of water for each caffeinated or alcoholic drink you indulge in.
No.1 Consider exercise non-negotiable
The No. 1 way to improve your appearance is to get fit. Start thinking of exercise as a must-do item on your to-do list and you’ll slow down the aging process, get better-looking skin, increase your confidence, and on top of everything, you’ll feel amazing. Engage in physical activity in the morning, and you’ll benefit further by burning more fat and kicking off your day with a feel-good endorphin rush. An early sweat session will also boost your circulation, so you’ll have clear, bright skin all day long — a potent sign to women that you’re a virile, healthy bedmate.
What Is Sports Massage?
Sports massage is a form of massage that
utilizes specific strokes to help athletes
obtain maximum performance and physical
conditioning by increasing power, endurance,
and mobility—both before and after an
event or exercise.
Who Can Benefit?
Sports massage is particularly beneficial
when an athlete is in training for an event.
It’s also helpful for anyone who routinely
stretches physical limits through movement.
Swimmers, weight lifters, runners, golfers,
ball players, skaters, dancers, tennis players,
musicians, and boxers, as well as weekend
warriors and those who practice strength
training or aerobics, have benefited from
sports massage.
What Are The Common Causes
Of Sports Injuries?
Injuries are commonly experienced when an
individual has overtrained, fails to sufficiently
warm up, receives trauma, or has muscular imbalances,
poor flexibility, mineral deficiencies, inadequate
endurance, or simply does too much too
soon. Insufficient muscle strength and poor muscle
tone may also lead to injury or a muscle tear.
How Can Sports Massage Help
In Rehabilitation?
Sports massage can accelerate the healing process,
increase range of motion, reduce adhesions, and
reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. Areas of stress
in other muscles, created through compensating for
an injury, can be eased with a regular sports massage
regimen. Sports massage can partially compensate
for lack of exercise during inactivity while recovering
from injury. Sports massage is also used to relieve
muscular spasms and fatigue-related injuries.
Why Is Sports Massage
Recommended?
Sports massage is more than just a reward at
the end of a workout. It is a vital tool for keeping
athletes primed for top performance and
even lengthening their careers. Recognized as
an important part of a regular maintenance
program, sports massage is widely used by individuals,
teams, and Olympic and professional athletes.
Our massage services have been gaining in popularity and we are now hosting a new website just for massage information. www.denver-massage.com.
We have a new staff page that shows the massage therapists as well as their massage schedule.
We will be updating all of these pages on a regular basis.
Thanks!
By Sabra Woodcock CMT
As an athlete and massage therapist, I know the importance of regular body work to maintain healthy muscles and help improve performance. Anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through movement such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, tennis and other racquet sports, strength training and aerobics can benefit from a massage. There are others who do strenuous activities on a day to day basis that is not normally classified as exercise who also could benefit from regular massage therapy. Examples are mothers with small children, gardeners, and others who use their bodies strenuously in their work. Incorporating massage in your conditioning program has many benefits. It helps you get into good shape faster, and with less stiffness and soreness. It helps you recover faster from heavy workouts, and relieves conditions which may cause injury.
When we exercise or perform strenuous activities a couple of things happen:
1. It increases vigor and promotes a general sense of well-being. If done in moderation, it can help relieve the effects of stress, and has been linked to decrease in psychological depression.
2. Produces positive physical results like increased muscular strength and endurance, more efficient heart and respiratory functioning, and greater flexibility.
3. These positive physical changes occur as the body gradually adapts to the greater demands put on it by regular exercise. The body improves its functioning to meet the challenges placed on it.
Along with these positive outcomes there are a few negative reactions that occur in the body due to physical strain:
The Tearing Down Phase – The ‘tearing down’ phase of the adaptation process often involves stiffness and soreness, especially when the amount of movement is significantly increased from what the body has been used to in the past.
Delayed muscle soreness (24-48 hours after exercise) may be caused by any of a number of different factors. Some possible causes are minor muscle or connective tissue damage, local muscle spasms that reduce blood flow, or a build up of waste products (metabolites) from energy production.
Trigger points or stress points may also cause muscle soreness and decreased flexibility. These points are specific spots in muscle and tendons which cause pain when pressed, and which may radiate pain to a larger area. They are not bruises, but are thought by some to be small areas of spasm. Trigger points may be caused by sudden trauma (like falling or being hit), or may develop over time from the stress and strain of heavy physical exertion or from repeated use of a particular muscle.
Heavily exercised muscles may also lose their capacity to relax, causing chronically tight (hypertonic) muscles, and loss of flexibility. Lack of flexibility is often linked to muscle soreness, and predisposes you to injuries, especially muscle pulls and tears. Blood flow through tight muscles is poor (ischemia), which also causes pain.
After this phase the body goes into Recovery Phase, which is important for the rebuilding phase and to obtain the full benefits of a conditioning program. Regular massage fits well into this stage. Unlike injury rehabilitation massage, maintenance massage both helps to prevent injury and treat chronic problems on a holistic level by looking at the entire body, the biomechanics, the posture and the regular workout and training of the athlete to make correct, long term changes that enhance performance. After we begin to recovery we enter the Buildup Phase in which our bodies adapt to the new demands placed on it and we become stronger and faster.
Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage therapists must be familiar with each muscle, the muscle groups and how they are affected by the specific movements and stresses of each sport. They also are trained in the appropriate uses of hydrotherapy and cryotherapy.
Traditional western (e.g. Swedish) massage is currently the most common approach used for conditioning programs. It is frequently supplemented by other massage therapy approaches including deep tissue, trigger point work, and acupressure. Sports massage therapy frequently includes the use of one or more of the following techniques:
Deep Swedish Massage
Muscle-specific applications of the standard effleurage, petrissage, vibration, and tapotement techniques.
Compression Massage
Rhythmic compression into muscles used to create a deep hypremia and softening effect in the tissues. It is generally used as a warm-up for deeper, more specific massage work.
Cross-Fiber Massage
Friction techniques applied in a general manner to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups; or on site-specific muscle and connective tissue, deep transverse friction applied to reduce adhesions and to help create strong, flexible repair during the healing process.
Trigger Point/Tender Point Massage
Combined positioning and specific finger or thumb pressure into trigger/tender points in muscle and connective tissue, to reduce the hypersensitivity, muscle spasms and referred pain patterns that characterize the point. Left untreated, such trigger/tender points often lead to restricted and painful movement of entire body regions.
Lymphatic Massage
Stimulation of specialized lymphatic-drainage pathways, which improves the body¹s removal of edemas and effusion.
So, schedule your monthly maintenance massage today! Don’t wait until something hurts, stay injury free and happy!
Some sources:
http://www.holisticonline.com/massage/mas_sports.htm
Many elite athletes consider sports massage an essential part of their training and recovery routine. Theses athletes report that a sports massage helps them train more effectively, improve performance, prevent injury, and recovery quickly. Historically, competitive and professional athletes have been some of the biggest users of sports massage. Today, a growing number of massage therapists offer therapeutic sports massage and many recreational athletes enjoy sports massage on a regular basis.
What is Therapeutic Sports Massage?
Therapeutic sports massage is a type of massage technique that focuses on treating soft tissue aches, pain and injuries that are associated with recreational activities. Massage can reduce muscle stiffness and improve relaxation by reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
Massage involves applying mechanical pressure to the soft tissues, and this is believed to result in improved muscle flexibility, increased range of motion in the joints, and decreased muscle stiffness. The pressure of massage may also improve blood flow during the massage and increase muscle temperature. Massage reduces heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels. Most people report a feeling of pure relaxation, reduced anxiety, and improved mood as a result. Athletes may indeed find an edge in these psychological benefits. Research shows that post-exercise massage reduces the intensity of muscle soreness.
For most athletes, enjoying less muscle pain and stiffness and improving sense of relaxation and well-being is reason enough to enjoy regular massage. And as research continues to study the mind/body connection, we may discover that the psychological benefits of massage do, indeed, improve our physical functioning.
Article adapted from:
Does therapeutic sports massage improve performance or recovery?
By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com Guide
Updated June 27, 2010
Massage was once widely regarded as a form of pampering for society’s upper crust, but no more.
While many Americans may still envision little more than the spirited kneading of an oiled, horizontal body, thousands of others—including scads of distance runners—have placed themselves in the healing hands of licensed massage therapists, who offer not only a powerful touch but a scientifically and anatomically based approach to flexibility, acceleration of recovery, and overall muscular maintenance. Massage, which dates back at least to the days of Caesar, promotes endorphin release, decreases soreness by forcefully clearing the waste products of physical exertion from within muscle cells, and both prevents new injuries and helps heal existing ones by increasing the flow of blood within muscles. Massage also promotes proper muscle and tendon functioning by increasing their mobility and range of motion.
“I’m a big advocate of massage therapy,” says Ryan Shay, the 2003 U.S. marathon and half marathon champion. “A good massage therapist knows how to do trigger-point work, or active release. It’s important for a massage therapist to be able to determine the source of muscle tightness, soreness or weakness. It’s also important for the massage therapist to incorporate some active release stretching when necessary to get muscles to relax or ‘let go’ in order to allow access to deeper muscle-tissue levels.”
Though scientific evidence is equivocal, a number of direct physical benefits of massage have been proposed. Pumping and kneading may open up elements of microcirculation (capillaries, small arteries and veins, lymphatic vessels), leading to the clearance of accumulated toxins, by-products of exercise—chiefly lingering lactic acid after an improper post-workout cool-down. Some athletes have reported a decrease in the frequency and intensity of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), post-workout complication resulting from eccentric muscle contractions. Massage may result in decreased muscle tension and greater flexibility, translating into stronger, more injury-resistant movers and levers capable of delivering more on race day. The massage action opens pores in tissue membranes, allowing nutrients to pass into muscles more easily while promoting the egress of toxins. Finally, massage can also break down scar tissue. In essence, it may accelerate processes that would otherwise occur slowly in the body, if at all; this is vitally important to those who train or work out daily and cannot afford to be hamstrung by chronic tightness or soreness. And, as underscored by Shay’s example, the special importance of active release therapy (ART) has come to light in recent years.
“Massage has definitely become much more mainstream,” says Tracy Steele of Atlanta, a sports massage therapist since 1988. “I don’t get nearly as many chuckles anymore when I say I’m a massage therapist.” Steele notes that whereas few, if any, colleges had massage therapists on staff a decade ago, access to massage has become commonplace among college athletes.
“In the early days my clientele was more the competitive runner, but now I get a lot of first-time marathoners,” Steele says, noting that most of the Team in Training groups advise regular massage. “I also work with a lot of the local high-school runners,” she says, “and this was surely not the case 10 years ago.”
An initial session with a good massage therapist begins with a relaxed interview that includes a complete medical history and centers on any muscle-related symptoms you’ve experienced recently; the therapist should ask you exactly what you hope to gain from massage. A good massage therapist will start by releasing tension from the entire body. This is usually done by starting in areas that are not the most sore, tender or tight.
“I’ve been to massage therapists who ask where my problem areas are and then go right to work on them, and not only does it hurt like hell, but the muscle never completely relaxes and the deeper tissues are ignored,” Shay says. “Also, the source of a problem is rarely located at the spot that hurts—there’s usually some type of chain reaction going on within the muscles.”
How often should you get a massage? It’s entirely up to you—and possibly your wallet; costs for sports massage range from about $35 to $45 per half hour. Massage is useful both before and after competitive events, although those new to massage should avoid having one the day before a race because of the possibility of mild soreness. Whenever possible, Shay gets a massage after every hard workout, or three times a week, with the frequency dropping to once a week or once every two weeks during training stints in places where finding a qualified therapist is difficult.
Shay suggests looking for a massage therapist who is trained in applied kinesiology, does trigger-point work, and is experienced in working with athletes. Local running clubs and area coaches are good sources of referrals to qualified practitioners.
Given the range of potential benefits, all serious runners should consider incorporating massage therapy into their training regimens—and hitting the table before problems strike, not after.
By Kevin Beck
As featured in the March 2004 issue of Running Times Magazine
With more than 200 variations of massage, how do you know what’s what, and what’s best for you?
By Carol Sorgen
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic – Feature
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario
Almost anyone — from infants to seniors — can enjoy the benefits of a good massage.
Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use. The ancient Hindus, Persians, and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments, and Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.
Today, the benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching, says Les Sweeney, executive vice president of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). Massage therapy has proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, including low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, and more. And, as so many of us already know, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.
But with more than 200 variations of massage, bodywork, and somatic therapies, how do you know what’s what, and what’s best for you? First, a definition of the different therapy categories is in order, says Sweeney.
- Massage is the application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress and fatigue while improving circulation. It taps into the energy systems in the body.
- Bodywork includes various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement, and/or repatterning to affect structural changes to the body.
- Somatic, which means “of the body,” is often used to describe a body/mind or whole-body approach as opposed to a physical perspective only.
According to William F. Burton, Jr., a professional massage therapist/bodyworker and co-owner of the Enraptured Day Spa in Philadelphia, most varieties of massage and bodywork therapies can be broken down into four broad categories:
- Contemporary Western massage
- Oriental methods
- Structural/functional/movement integration
- Non-Oriental energetic methods
Here’s a brief explanation of some of the more common techniques of Western and Oriental massage.
Swedish massage: This is the predominant example of Western massage and is the most commonly used method in the United States. Developed in Sweden in the 1830s, it uses a system of long, gliding strokes, kneading, and percussion and tapping techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles. It is designed to increase circulation, which may improve healing and decrease swelling from an injury. This technique also results in generalized relaxation.
Neuromuscular massage: Trigger point massage and myotherapy are varieties of neuromuscular massage, which applies concentrated pressure on trigger points of pain and passive stretching of specific muscles.
Deep tissue massage: This approach is used to alleviate chronic muscle pain by reaching deeper muscles in problem areas.
Sports massage: This uses techniques similar to deep tissue massage but more specifically adapted to deal with the needs of athletes (both professional and the weekend variety); it’s often used before or after athletic events as part of an athlete’s training and to promote healing from injuries.
Manual lymph drainage massage: This approach improves the flow of lymph fluid with rhythmic strokes and is used primarily in conditions with poor lymph flow, such as edema.
Oriental methods of massage are based on the principles of Chinese medicine and the flow of energy or chi through the body’s meridians, or energy points, says Burton. In Oriental massage techniques, pressure is applied by finger or thumb tips to predetermined points rather than by the sweeping broad strokes of Western massage.
“There are more than a dozen varieties
of Oriental massage and bodywork therapy.”
There are more than a dozen varieties of Oriental massage and bodywork therapy, but the most common forms in the U.S. are acupressure, shiatsu, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure.
Acupressure and shiatsu: These are similar varieties of finger pressure massage, with pressure applied to specific points that correspond with acupuncture points. In acupressure and shiatsu, pressure is applied to specific points with the thumb, finger, and palm to release muscle tension and increase circulation. Acupressure is the more generic term used for this approach and shiatsu is the Japanese version.
Jin Shin Jyutsu: This approach comes from an ancient Japanese healing tradition that uses touch to restore the internal flow of energy through the body by releasing energetic blockages. In this therapy the touch is very light a holds each pressure point for several minutes.
Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure: Developed by a California psychotherapist, this approach applies stronger acupressure on the points and for a longer period of time than does Jin Shin Jyutsu. It focuses on the deep release of muscular tension through gentle yet deep finger pressure.
Thai massage: At least 2,500 years old, Thai massage focuses on balancing energy. If you’re receiving a Thai massage, you’ll be placed into yoga-like postures while the “Sen” energy lines are compressed rhythmically with hands, thumbs, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet.
Tui Na: Tui Na has been used in China for more than 2,000 years. The combination of massage and manipulation techniques is designed to improve the flow of energy so the body can naturally heal itself.
The strokes that massage practitioners use also vary, as do their effects, says Burton. A few of the more common strokes and their effects include:
- Feather stroking: soothing/sedative (may be ticklish)
- Fan stroking: soothing
- Circular thumb stroking: loosens tight areas
- Kneading: loosens and stimulates
- Skin rolling: stimulates
- Compression/pressure: breaks down muscular adhesions
- Percussion: stimulates (fast); relaxes (slow)
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