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Swedish Massage:
This style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in
the direction of the heart. Swedish massage is designed to increase
circulation and blood flow. There are six basic strokes: effleurage,
pettrisage, friction, tapotement, compression and vibration. Oil,
cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow
smooth strokes. This style of massage is generally attributed to the
Swedish fencing master and gymnastics teacher Per Henrik Ling
(1776-1839).
Deep Tissue Massage:
Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage
work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the
practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Each person
experiences pressure differently. Starting superficially and easing
into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement. If the
pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten
to protect that area.
Trigger Point Therapy:
A trigger point is an area of a muscle that refers pain sensations to
other parts of the body. Trigger Point Therapy applies pressure to
these points leading to immediate release of tension and improved
muscular functioning. This work is based upon the trigger point
research and manuals of Dr. Janet Travell. Sometimes this work is
incorporated into other styles of massage therapy such as neuromuscular
therapy (NMT).
Neuromuscular Therapy: Neuromuscular
Therapy (NMT) is used for pain relief and specific problems. Structural
and postural imbalances are identified through an initial postural
assessment. These are then addressed through systematic and site
specific massage. NMT reduces pain, tension, postural imbalance, and
lengthens and strengthens tissues. NMT was developed by Paul St. John.
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique:
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique (MAT) identifies postural distortions
to improve and prevent pain conditions. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular
Facilitation (PNF) and myofacial techniques are used to lengthen
tight/facilitated muscles while fiber activation techniques tone
weak/inhibited muscles. MAT was developed by Erik Dalton.
Structural Muscular Balancing:
A gentle and effective technique that releases chronic contraction in
the muscles. The nervous system is triggered to release contractions
through compression applied to muscles placed in a shortened position.
Breema:
Breema bodywork is performed on the floor with the recipient fully
clothed. It consist of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches which
leads to deep relaxation, increased vitality, and stimulation of the
self-healing processes of the body. Sessions can be any length of time,
although 50 minutes is common. There are also self-Breema exercises.
The essence of Breema is expressed in the Nine Principles of Harmony.
The Breema Center is located in Oakland, California, and there are
Breema practitioners and instructors (http://www.breema.com/referrals/)
in many locations around the world.
Ancient Thai Massage:
Also known as passive/assisted yoga or Thai bodywork, it is usually
soothing because of its emphasis on stretching and loosening the body.
It is also known as Ancient massage because its roots go back far into
history, originating in India and then becoming popular in Thailand.
The patient changes into pajamas and lays on a firm mattress on the
floor. (It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in
the same large room.) The practitioner leans on the patient's body
using the forearm to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part
of the patient body. No oil is applied except sometimes to the
patient's palms and soles. A full course of Thai massage lasts anywhere
from one to two hours including pulling fingers, toes, ears etc.,
cracking the knuckles, walking on the patient's back, arching the
patient's back in a rolling action etc. There is a standard procedure
and rhythm to the massage. Sometimes in a large group massage, the
practitioners do the procedures in unison. Thai massage is a tourist
attraction in Thailand and the practitioners are usually women. In some
establishments, they sit inside a room with a large display window, so
clients can pick the girl they like by the number tag on them. Some say
the young and pretty women usually give a poor massage because of lack
of experience. A full massage in Thailand costs around US$10 (in 2008)
depending on exchange rate and location (it may cost ten times more
inside a five star hotel).
MA-URI Massage:
MA-URI is a new form of massage introduced by Hemi Hoani Fox in 1990,
who cites as its roots Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi Nui dance, claiming increased
so-called energy flow within the body and mind. Focus is internal, upon
breathing, intent, and concentration. Claimed benefits include mental
and physical health. Study and advocation is primarily carried out at
the MA-URI Institute, headed by Hemi and Katja Fox. It is currently
difficult to find practitioners, though this may change as it grows
more popular. Chinese Zhi Ya Massage Zhi Ya is a form of Chinese
massage based on acupressure. It is similar to Tui Na massage except it
focuses more on pinching and pressing at acupressure points.
Chinese Tui Na Massage:
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage that is similar to Zhi Ya, but
focusing more on pushing, pulling and kneading the muscle. Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage based on acupressure. It is
uncertain whether it originated from Chinese Zhi Ya. Scalp massage In
some barber shops in Hong Kong, scalp massage often lasts 30 minutes to
45 minutes during shampooing of the hair.
Sole or Foot Massage:
Also known as reflexology, foot massage, as practiced by the Chinese is
performed in the context of chi, in that each spot on the sole of the
foot corresponds to an internal organ, and the applied therapy is
healing to one's overall well being. The theory supposes that an
ailment of an internal organ will be associated with the nerve ending
on the sole of the foot. Before the massage, the patient's feet are
soaked for about ten minutes in a foot bath, typically a dark colored
solution of hot water and Chinese herbs. The massage therapist uses
liberal amounts of medicated cream, to moisturize the foot and to
provide lubrication. The knuckles on the therapist's hand are usually
used to provide a hard and smooth implement for the massage. As
pressure is applied to the sole, theory holds that a healthy patient
should not feel any strong pain. Painful spots, reflexologists believe,
reflect illnesses of other parts of the body. The practitioner rubs and
massages the painful spots to break down rough spots and accumulated
crystals and increase circulation. The ailments are healed when the
sore spots of the sole are treated and removed by massage. Based on
this theory, some shoe liners are made with pressure points to
stimulate the soles of the feet to promote better health of the overall
body. The nature of these "crystals" has yet to be elucidated or
demonstrated scientifically. Regardless of the actual correlation of
reflexology to internal organs, many enjoy it for the mix of
stimulation and relaxation.
Tantric Massage:
Also known as an erotic massage, is the kind of massage that you would
find in a massage parlor in Bangkok, London, Amsterdam, or any other
major city or just about any city and/or beach in Thailand. In
Thailand a tantric massage can also be called a full body massage, body
slide massage, or a soapy massage depending on the particular massage
parlor. Patpong in Bangkok, Pattaya beach, & Phuket beach are the
most popular destinations for this type of massage. A suprise to many
Westerners on vacation to Thailand is that massage parlors are often
affiliated with Karaoke bars and the Thai bar-girls often do both jobs.
All text courtesty the Wikipedia and is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
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