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  • Moxibustion Overview
  • Moxibustion's Relation to Acupuncture
  • Moxi's Growing Uses
  • Shiatsu Massage
  • Zen Shiatsu
  • Anma Shiatsu
  • Namikoshi Shiatsu
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  • What are yin and yang
Acupressure
  • Acupressure and self massage
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  • Acupressure Self Treatment for Pain Relief
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  • Acupressure - Is it Working?
  • Acupressure Tools and Proper Body Mechanics
  • Acupressure How Much Pressure?
  • Acupressure How To & How often
  • Acupressure Clinical Study
  • Acupressure Types
Trigger Points
  • Trigger Point  Release Treatment
  • Trigger Point Massage Pain Relief
  • Trigger Points - Causes
  • Trigger Point Glossary
  • History Of Trigger Point Massage
  • Trigger Point Seniors
  • Muscle Groups
  • Self Treatment Methods
  • Trigger Point  Seniors
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Types and Forms of Massage Therapy 

Acupressure

Acupressure is part of traditional Chinese medicine.  Developed prior to the popularization of Acupuncture, acupressure has been practiced for over 5000 years.  As a non-intrusive precursor of acupuncture, acupressure uses deep finger pressure applied at points located along an system of energy channels within the body called meridians. These points are thought to directly relate to organs and glands of the body, constrictions in the flow of energy at these points causes disease and discomfort. Acupressure stimulates these points to remove blockages, to increase the energy flow and to promote health and harmony in the body. For a detail discussion on Acupressure Massage click here.

Amma Therapy

 Amma Therapy is a form of Oriental massage dating back five thousand years to the period of the Yellow Emperor.   Amma Therapy is a highly refined and complex system of bodywork whose techniques and treatment strategies combine the use of traditional Oriental medical principles and a Western approach to organ dysfunction. In Chinese, amma means "push-pull." Amma therapy is concerned with removing blockages and balancing the body's flow of energy along its meridians with a combination of many therapeutic massage techniques.

Aston Patterning

Aston Patterning is a integration of massage, deep tissue work, and movement. Developed in the mid-1970s by dancer Judith Aston, while searching for an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. She became a top trainee of Ida Rolf and designer of the original exercises for Rolf movement and later tailored a program to facilitate rehabilitation, improve performance, and prevent injury called Aston Patterning. It combines not only massage work but also a reeducation of the body through movement and awareness to maintain change.

Bowen Technique

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Named after Australian Tom Bowen who, in the 1950's, introduced the concept of having rest periods between a series of massage movements within a treatment session to allow the body to absorb the healing process. The massage moves are a gentle but precise soft tissue manipulation made with the intention of creating harmony within the body so that the body  achieves its own cure. 

Breema

Breema bodywork developed In Kurdistan, is performed on the floor with the recipient fully clothed. It consists 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. Similar to Thai Massage.

Canadian Deep Muscle Massage

This technique addresses specific muscles and muscle groups to fix specific problems. It is a fundamental technique that offers fast results for both pain and stress. This form of cross fiber massage was first written about in the late 1800's in New York City. This technique begins gently and progresses deeply as the outer muscle fibers relax, allowing the second and third layer of muscle to be addressed.  

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage uses deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle.  Its purpose is to release  the fibers of the muscles that have bound together and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension.  A good book on Deep Tissue Massage with indepth information.

 

Honey Massage - Coming soon

 

 

Hot Stone Massage

Developed in the midweat for use in health spas, this technique uses stones that have been heated. These stones are positioned on the body and some are gently moved about with light pressure being exerted on the warm stones.  A very relaxing massage using hot basalt lava rocks that are used to massage the body. Short tight muscles respond very well to this massage and many achieve a deeper state of relaxation from the stones massage as the heat melts the muscles, and increases circulation to area applied, also is very grounding. Also often incorporated with techniques from  massage to help get the maximum benefits from the session.

Integrative Massage 

Based on the work of Wilhelm Reich, this style of massage came out of work at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy over 20 years ago. Long fluid strokes are used to move energy from the head down and out through the hands and feet. This is combined with the use of deep breath work. This therapy is thought to assist in the release of emotional issues trapped in the body

Lomi lomi Massage

Lomi lomi "rub rub,"is a massage technique that's been handed down from ancient Hawaiian healers. Spiritual in nature, the technique was formalized in its modern form by Hawaiian-born nurse, Margaret Machado. This form of massage has characteristics of both shiatsu and acupressure.  However, it is in gentler form a massage than either of those.  Two identifying techniques of authentic Lomi lomi are the emphasis on spirit/body connection and the use of forearm and elbow as a massage tool.  

Lymph System Massage 

Developed in the 1930s, this is a specific technique that massages the lymph nodes and lymph system using light rhythmic strokes. A lymph system massage always runs with the muscle fiber, rather than cross-fiber, because the lymph system runs in the direction of the muscle fiber.

Maya Abdominal Massage; The Arvigo Techniques

The Arvigo techniques are founded on the ancient Mayan technique of abdominal massage which is an external non invasive manipulation that repositions internal organs that have shifted, thereby restricting the flow of blood, lymph, nerve and chi. This massage therapy addresses position and health of the pelvic and abdominal organs. The work is best known for the correction of the prolapsed, fallen, or tilted uterus and for the prevention and treatment of benign prostate enlargement in men, and for relief of many common digestive disorders.

Myofascial Release Therapy 

Myofascial Release works by the manipulation of the fascia that connects and surrounds muscles. Because the fascia is body-wide, a tension or trauma in one part of the body is thought to affect another part though the fascia. The fascia responds to massage by releasing the adverse effects of inflammation, tensions and trauma. 

Neuromuscular Therapy 

Neuromuscular Therapy is a program of recovery from acute and chronic pain syndromes by utilizing specific massage therapy, including the pressure of trigger points, to bring about balance between the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. It enhances the function of joints, muscles, and movement, and it releases endorphins, the body's own natural pain killers.  

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy 

One of the early forms of deep muscle massage, it was developed in the 1940s  The cross fiber technique frees adhesions, improves circulation, both lymphatic and vascular, and causes corrective changes in the muscle on a cellular level.

Reflexology 

This is an acupressure type technique performed on the hands and feet. Practitioners believe that each zone or part of the body has a corresponding reflex point on the feet, and that manipulating that reflex point causes stimulation in the natural energy of the related organ. Crystalline-type deposits and/or tenderness indicate a dysfunction, and pressure is applied to clear out congestion and restore normal functioning and health. 

Reiki  

Reiki is a healing technique of transmitting life energy by placing the hands gently in specific positions either on or above the body. This laying-on of hands is designed to relieve pain, restore vitality, heal illnesses, and aid spiritual growth. Read here for an in-depth look at the practice of engery healing and Reiki 

Rolfing

Another form of myofascial massage.  Rolfing was developed in the 1930's. It is also called structural integration. By manipulating the myofascial tissue in a ten session series, each building on the previous one, Rolfers assist the body to reorganize, lengthen, and integrate itself into wholeness. 

Shiatsu 

Shiatsu, is the most widely known form of acupressure. It means literally "finger pressure". Shiatsu uses rhythmic pressure from 3 to 10 seconds on specific points along the body's meridians by using the fingers, hands, elbows,  and knees to unblock and stimulate the flow of energy. A session may also include gentle stretching and range-of-motions manipulations. 

The Japanese word hara means abdomen. Zen Shiatsu teaches that the abdomen reflects conditions of health and un-health in the body and that we can influence our health directly by massaging and self-massaging our abdomen (self-hara). Self Hara is part of Do-In, a self-therapy that involves principles of Shiatsu and self-massage.

Meridian Stretching is a form of stretching that concentrates on the circulation of Qi in the body. It it had been developed by a Chinese instead of a Japanese it would probably be called Qi Gong stretching. The external forms of Meridian stretches resemble many Yoga postures, but the execution greatly varies and at times contradicts Yoga postures. Due to the flow of Qi inside the meridian system the order of stretching becomes important. Metal imaging and breathing are key factors in meridian stretching. The flexibility of the practitioner is absolutely unimportant. Read more here for an in-depth look at Shiatsu Massage History and Technique.
 

Structural Integration  
(See Rolfing)

Swedish Massage 

Often referred to as "traditional" massage it is the most common form of western massage.  Swedish massage includes long gliding strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, and shaking motions. Massaging the skin, the body's largest organ, sets up a chain reaction that produces a positive effect on all layers and systems of the body. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, and promotes health and wellbeing. 

Thai Massage 

Thai massage is an interactive manipulation of the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure along energy lines. An  amalgamation of yoga, shiastu and acupressure, this form of massage dates back to the time of Buddha. Designed to be both relaxing and stimulating, Thai massage improves flexibility, reduces tension, stimulates internal organs, and balances the body's energy system.  

Trager 

Trager was developed over the past 55 years by Milton Trager, M.D  It is a combination of hands-on work, relaxation, and movement education.  Trager practitioners gently cradle, jiggle, rock, and stretch the body. This is thought to help release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity.  

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger point is a pain-relief technique to alleviate muscle spasms and cramping. The therapist locates and deactivates `trigger points', which are often tender areas where muscles have been damaged or acquired a re-occurring spasm or `kink' that worsens painfully when aggravated. Click here for a detailed discussion in technique it is closely related to acupressure.

Tuina Massage

(Tui Na) is an Oriental Bodywork Therapy that has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tuina dates back to the Shang Dynasty of China, 1700 B.C.E. Oracle bones show that tuina massage was used to treat children's diseases and digestive complaints in adults. By 600 C.E. Tuina (tui na) was included in the Imperial Medical College as a separate department. Tuina  uses the traditional Chinese medical theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians as its therapeutic orientation. Through the application of massage and manipulation techniques Tuina  seeks to establish a more harmonious flow of Qi through the system of channels and collaterals.

Tuina (Tui Na) methods include the use of hand techniques to massage the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the flow of Qi , and manipulation techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting). External herbal poultices, compresses, liniments, and salves are also used to enhance the other therapeutic methods. There are several different schools that emphasis various aspect of the technique.
 

Watsu

Watsu is a form of water therapy developed in the early 1980s. Combining floating in warm water, cradling, stretching, shiastu techniques, and dance-like movement, Watsu frees the spine, relaxes the muscles, and increases the flow of energy in the body

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