Health and WellnessTherapies and complementary medicine Massage
Massage has been practised for thousands of years in many cultures. There are many types each of which provides their own health benefits. It involves using the hands with movements against the skin, such as kneading, stroking, rubbing, pressing, all providing beneficial effects of relaxation, improved circulation and releasing muscular tension.
Areas of the body that benefit and are affected by massage include muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapists work to improve blood circulation, to remove metabolic waste products from muscles and to increase muscle and ligament flexibility.
Popular types of massage
Craniosacral Therapy. A gentle massage that helps to improve the functioning of your brain and spinal cord to lessen the negative effects of stress, promote good health, and enhance resistance to disease.
Deep Tissue Massage. A more invigorating massage that slowly works deep into muscle tissue and release chronic muscle tension. Breathing and movement techniques are also used for releasing muscular congestion.
Esalen Massage. A philosophical approach combined with Swedish massage. For the therapist the massage is a meditation, working intuitively and focusing on being fully present in the moment with the client.
Erotic Massage. More of a sexual foreplay technique, rather than a form of massage. Massage focuses on muscles, whereas erotic massage focuses primarily on skin.
Swedish Massage. (not referring to Sweden) Uses a variety of techniques to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. This massage relaxes muscles, stimulates skin and nervous system, stretches the ligaments and tendons, increases circulation and removes metabolic waste products. The strokes and manipulations each have their own specific therapeutic benefit. Good for stress management.
Sports Massage. For serious athletes, focusing on muscles relevant to their particular activity. It also includes pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques, promoting greater endurance and performance, reducing chances of injury and lowering recovery time.
Reiki. Meaning "universal life-force energy," the "healer" (or therapist) channels universal energy to the recipient. Reiki consists of a traditional pattern of hand positions resting on the body without pressure. Reiki brings about deep relaxation and healing.
Thai Massage. Practised for over 2,500 years in Thailand, was originally practised by Buddhist monks. Thai massage focuses on pressure on energy lines and points, with a large variety of stretching movements, similar to yoga positions. The stretches increase overall flexibility, releasing tension and helping the body's natural energy to flow more freely.
Benefits of massage
People go to a massage therapist to relax, reduce stress, and relieve pain, or to help warm up before a sports event. The following are the main benefits of a good massage:
- enhance general relaxation
- reduce muscular tension and associated discomfort (relax tight muscles)
- reduce anxiety
- improve sleep
- increase feelings of well-being
- enhance tissue elasticity and flexibility
- increase range of motion in joints
- relieve muscle aches and stiffness
- speed recovery from exercise
- promote well nourished - healthy skin
- improve circulation of blood and lymph
- stimulate immune system
- improve energy flow