Archive for the ‘Massage Therapy’ Category

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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.

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How to Do Reflexology Foot Massage

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Who doesn’t like foot massages?

Relaxing and invigorating, a foot massage is what we all need at the end of a hard day at work. Perfect for draining away the tensions and relaxing the body, a foot massage can be done at home on a personal level or can be administered by a trained therapist. When it is administered by a trained therapist, it is known as reflexology, and it is more than just a massage. Reflexology foot massage is about pressure therapy and is done by applying pressure at reflex points in the foot to prevent diseases or heal the body.

Foot reflexology is based on the belief that the reflex points or the nerve zones go all the way from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head, connecting all the vital organs. An expert in reflexology can put pressure or massage the various meridians on the sole as well as on the side of the feet to tackle the root cause of the illness.

How to do reflexology foot massage?

Ambience: Ideally reflexology feet massage is done in a relaxing environment. The person should be comfortably seated or can recline on a sofa or a divan, without his/her shoes and socks. Soft meditation music and a calm environment are beneficial. It is necessary for the feet of the patient to be clean and dry. A foot soak is a good idea before beginning. Massage can be done with aromatic essential oils diluted in massage oils.

Stroking: This is a technique that stimulates the blood vessels in the feet and can induce warmth. In this, the therapist holds the foot and massages the top part, using his/her thumbs to make slow, stroking motions. He/she starts from the toes and moves to the ankles, and then reverses the process. Then the same process is done on the soles.

Ankle rotation: In this, the therapist will move the ankles from side to side to loosen the joints of the ankle. Then he holds the heel in a cupping motion and the ball of the foot in the other hand. Then the foot is rotated clockwise and anticlockwise a few times to de-stress the senses.

Pivoting: In this, the therapist gently massages the area below the toe, and then rolls the big toe back and forth.

Kneading: The therapist uses his finger tips to knead the sole back and forth, and then he kneads the knuckles at the joints.

Finger Walking: In this the therapist visualizes the foot as a few squares and walks his fingers horizontally.

You can use various ‘tools’ to give a reflexology foot massage. These include reflexology mats, gloves, reflexology foot chart, socks, hand and foot reflexology charts and reflexology kits.

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Reflexology Treatment Plan

Thursday, March 19th, 2009

Reflexology treatment is done on the feet to heal and balance the natural equilibrium of the body. It is believed to restore energy and clear the congestion in other parts of the body. While reflexology treatments do not cure life-threatening diseases, this therapy is used alongside other treatments or done in isolation to provide relief and relaxation. Reflexology is said to cure several health problems like arthritis, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, infertility, migraine, back pain, sleep disorders, and stress related conditions.

How does reflexology work?

Reflexology is about applying pressure and stimulating the feet or the hands. It increases the blood circulation and can improve muscular and bodily functions. The feet and the hands are supposed to be much more sensitive than we consider them to be, and a reflexology therapist can heal the body by stimulating the right points in the hands and the feet.

Reflexology Treatment Plan

Before we look at a reflexology plan, let us understand how reflexology works. In reflexology, the therapist uses massage techniques to seek out the imbalances and deposits, and removes the blockages to restore the flow of energy and blood. This technique is done with hands, oils, cream and a wooden stick.

The treatment includes a consultation, where the therapist will discuss the patient’s past as well as present lifestyle and health. Then the therapist will work on the foot to detect the underlying causes of the health problem. Often patients experience tenderness or pain as these are sure giveaways of crystalline deposits and an imbalance in the corresponding area. Then the therapist will massage the area gently to clear the energy channels. Generally, the treatment sessions last between 45-60 minutes. How frequently the sessions are administered depends upon the health condition the patient is being treated for.

During the treatment, some patients get a restful feeling and also get thirsty, while others get an urge to urinate. The latter happens because of the cleansing affect of the treatment. Feeling sluggish after the treatment is normal. After the first treatment, your therapist will chalk out a plan for you, which will outline the number of session you require to cure you of your health problem.

Reflexology treatments are good for people suffering from asthma, constipation, gastro-intestinal disorders, eye, nose, throat and sinus problems, skin problems, and insomnia. This treatment is also effective for children who wet their beds, suffer from arthritic attacks, and people who suffer from thyroid disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, osteoporosis, and thrombosis.

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Techniques in Sports Massage

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

A sports massage is a unique therapeutic massage that utilizes very specific sports massage techniques. These techniques are designed to achieve specific purposes keeping in mind the nature of activity an athlete has to perform and related ailments they undergo.

Continuous exercise and sport activity can build tension and stress knots in the soft tissues. Scar tissue formation, muscle spasms, soreness, and fatigue can hamper performance and endurance levels. Exercise also builds up metabolites, which are formed during exercise in the circulatory system. Athletes often undergo minor injuries and lesions and are left incapable of performing at their peak levels. Continuous stress also throws the endocrine system out of balance and the athlete may suffer from many hormonal imbalances.

All these conditions need attention and sports massage therapy, in conjunction with other therapies, provides an excellent way to recuperate from stress and re-energize the mind and body.

Sports Massage Techniques:
Sports massage therapy involves the use of specific techniques done in a particular order and to address particular needs. Almost all these techniques involve applying pressure towards the heart to improve venous and lymphatic circulation. The three main techniques used are:

Effleurage:
Almost any sports massage begins with this technique. The sports massage therapists utilize the palm and fingers and moulds them into the curvature of the area being massaged. The strokes, as mentioned earlier are directed towards the heart. The intention of using the whole palm is to have an increased surface area in contact with the athlete’s body so as to raise the body temperature to warm the tissues, increase blood supply to the area, stimulate the peripheral nerves, and relax the muscles. It must be done slowly and the pressure must be gentle at the beginning. The pressure is increased gradually, depending on the need of the athlete and the condition which is being treated.

Petrissage:
This involves a kneading action, which is performed on deep tissues. It helps to mobilize tissue fluids and stretches the muscle fibers for relaxation.

Frictions:
This technique utilizes the thumb pad to apply pressure over small areas. This helps in detecting trigger points, breaks down scar tissue and lesions, separates muscle fibers, and detects minute abnormalities in the tissues. It is a painful technique, especially when it is utilized for breaking down scar tissue and lesions. It is done for a short period of time and the person is forewarned. Using this technique for a longer period may cause inflammation of the muscles. This technique is usually used during a sports injury massage session.

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