Archive for March, 2009

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Shiatsu Massage Techniques and Benefits

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

What is Shiatsu?

Developed by the Chinese in around 530 BC, the Shiatsu massage technique evolved and later moved on to Japan, Southern Asia, and Korea, where it was predominantly practiced. Shiatsu is derived from the Japanese word `shi’ and `atsu’ literally meaning finger pressure. It does not stop with the use of finger pressure but also incorporates the use of thumbs, palms, knees, elbows, forearms, and feet. This massage technique is meant to unify the spiritual, philosophical, and medical aspects of its patients.

What does it really do?

Shiatsu balances the body’s natural energy centers. It removes any blockages by applying pressure on the energy lines, or meridians, and promotes good health. It restores the normal flow of essential bio-energy in the body. The `chi’ brings in fresh, strong energy and bears away the spent energy along with the toxins. Shiatsu is done not only for relaxation but also to relieve a wide range of ailments and symptoms. Some of them are rheumatoid arthritis, muscle pain, migraine headaches, pregnancy, and ailments of the circulatory and digestive system.

What does the massage therapist do?

A shiatsu massage therapist first makes diagnosis about how the energy flows, where it is blocked and where it is needed be released in your body. The therapeutic process begins with a gentle massage by stretching and manipulation of the skin to invigorate and relax the muscles. Gentle or high pressure may be used while massaging, but it is never painful. The session can last from four minutes to an hour.

Preparing for your first Shiatsu massage

When you go for a massage session, wear loose comfortable clothing such as linen or cotton. You may be asked to lie on a padded mat on the floor. It could also be a beaded mat or a futon. Allow yourself to relax and let the masseuse know about any medical conditions or areas of concern so that you can obtain the maximum benefit from the massage session.

Benefits of Shiats

Shiatsu stimulates blood circulation in the capillaries of the skin’s soft tissues, and excites the sebaceous glands keeping your skin soft and supple. When shiatsu massage is applied on the hands and legs it gets rid of the symptoms of arthritis and eases muscular pain. It also lessens migraine headaches. It aids women during labor and also inhibits menstrual pain. The massage assists in proper digestion of food and the removal of waste products.

Accurate and efficacious treatment services at the Advanced Dermatology can be individually customized to your skin needs for improved performance. Botox Long Island NY

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

Benefits of Baby Massage

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

In Asia, the benefits of baby massage have been recognized for thousands of years. Sometimes a maid is employed for this purpose, but now, more and more mothers, and fathers too, prefer to do it themselves. Every day a time is set aside for the infant to be gently with oil.

The benefits of infant massage are many:

Bonding: First and foremost, massaging helps to increase bonding between parent and baby. Bonding is not an automatic process; it is created day after day, and the best way is interaction through this non-verbal language of touch, which is one of the major senses. This also sets up a channel of body communication, and many experts feel that babies who have been massaged since birth have better communication skills. As the mother spends time massaging her baby, both get to know each other better.

Relaxation: Baby massage benefits also include a feeling of relaxation, not just for the baby, but also for the parent. Although we may think that a baby’s life is the ultimate in relaxation, the transition from a warm, dark and tranquil womb to an outside world full of light and sound can be quite stressful. Massage helps to relax the muscles, and when done on a regular basis, ensures restful and longer sleep at night. Blood pressure and heart rate too slow down and stabilize with a massage, helping the baby to relax. Stroking and touching also releases a feel-good chemical called oxytocin, which benefits and de-stresses the parent as well as the baby.

Stimulation: Another infant massage benefit is that it also provides stimulation for the baby. While certain muscles need to be relaxed, there are some muscles which need to be stimulated for better performance. Some babies have poor circulatory systems and their hands and feet are always cold. A few minutes of gentle massage helps to increase blood flow, warm them up and make them more comfortable.

Better digestion: Massage also benefits the baby by stimulating their digestive system. A gentle massage encourages the expulsion of colicky gas and can provide immense relief.

Relief from pain is another benefit of baby massage. Other than colic pains, there can be other pains which parents could be unaware of and massage provides relief from these.

Weight gain: Baby massage has also been known to result not only in resistance to disease, but also in weight gain and is thus especially beneficial for pre-term or underweight infants.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

Baby Massage Therapy & Techniques

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

While baby massage has been prevalent in the East for centuries, the West is only now waking up to its therapeutic effects. There is no doubt that massage is a good therapy for infants, leading to improved physical, mental and emotional development.

There are many techniques and methods of massage, as there are various oils that are recommended.

Baby massage oil: Therapists recommend natural unscented vegetable oils for infant and baby massage. Olive oil and grape seed oil are popular across the world, while in India, mustard oil is usually the first choice. Creams, lotions and baby oils, containing mineral oils and chemicals, are best avoided. They can not only cause allergies, babies have a habit of putting their hands in their mouth, and licking these minerals can be harmful. While some therapists recommend essential oils because of their aroma and therapeutic benefits, others think it is best to avoid them, because their strong smells can be overpowering for a baby.

Baby massage techniques: There are many techniques for massaging a baby. But a baby is not particular whether you are using acupressure or a Swedish or a Kerela massage. For baby massage therapy, just use gentle strokes, and adjust the pressure of your hands according to the age of the infant.

• Use gentler strokes for a month-old baby than, for say, an eight-month old.

• The room must be pleasantly warm, because the baby will be unclothed and may catch a cold if the temperature is low.

• Keep all your massage related items – such as oil, towels, wipes - handy before you start the massage.

• Lay the baby down on a soft towel or blanket. You can use a table or you can even stretch out your legs and place the baby on it.

• Place the baby face up, on the surface of the massage area.

• You can use soft music for your massage therapy as this will help to create a calm and soothing atmosphere.

• Start by pouring about half a teaspoon of the oil on your palms and rubbing them gently together, before applying. The baby’s bare skin is very sensitive to heat and cold and rubbing your hands together warms them up.

• Baby massage therapists usually recommend starting from the head, using circular strokes of the hand on the chest and stomach, up-and-down strokes on the legs and arms, and upward strokes on the back.

• The massage should not last for more than 30 minutes, and you must stop even earlier, if you feel that baby is feeling uncomfortable for whatever reason.

Massaging your baby is one of the best therapies and promotes well-being. It is considered by many to be as important as any nutrients and food, so try to do it every day.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

Benefits of Amma Massage Therapy

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Origin: Amma Massage is a very ancient therapeutic form of massage which is more than 5000 years old. It has its foundation in traditional Chinese medicine. Amma is actually a very old Chinese word, which means ‘push-pull’ (am-ma). It has been adapted as Amma Massage Therapy, and is practiced in China, Japan, as well as in the West, one such place being Bethesda.

Principles: According to ancient Chinese medicine, Qi or Chi, is the life force flowing through our entire body. When this flow is interrupted or blocked for any reason, the person suffers from some ailment or disease. The aim of Amma Massage is to remove these blockages by applying pressure at specific points (just like in acupuncture), in order to re-start the smooth flow of chi, so that the person becomes healthy again.

Benefits: Amma Massage Therapy has proved beneficial in preventing and treating diabetes, arthritis, sprains, hypertension, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal and circulatory ailments, neuromuscular disorders, respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as auto-immune diseases such as scleroderma. It also benefits those with back pain, headaches, insomnia, irritable bowel, edema, while being effective in cases of infertility and for reducing stress and anxiety. It also helps to build and fortify the immune system and so results in a reduction of health problems.

Some massage therapists also claim that they have used these techniques effectively in cancer treatment.

Many hospitals also provide Amma Therapy as an additional holistic treatment along with allopathic treatment.

Principles: Amma Massage therapists use a combination of stroking, stretching, kneading, vibrating, pressing and tapping on the 361 pressure points of the body in order to remove the blockages and restart the free flow of chi. While the therapist relies mainly on the strength and sensitivity of their hands, in some case they may also use their elbows, arms, feet and knees for the massage.

Diagnosis: A good practitioner will carry out a thorough assessment to diagnose the specific ailment. They will enquire as to what the patient likes or dislikes, diet, bowel movement. They will feel the pulse, observe complexion, and even the smell and color of the tongue.

After the diagnosis is over, the patient changes into loose clothing and undergoes a massage session of approximately one hour.

Amma massage goes beyond mere massage - the therapist also makes various dietary and nutritional recommendations, along with exercise requirements.

Bethesda in Washington DC offers certified and licensed professionals, with massages tailored for each individual.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Massage Therapy | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »