A massage in Shanghai is focused around two primary teachings in China.  You have a choice of either receiving a traditional Chinese massage or a Thai massage. 

Chinese Massage

A Chinese massage is focused around the pressure points in the body.  The Chinese believe that the pressure points are essential in releasing the toxins and increasing the energy flows within the entire body.  The massage is focused around stimulating the muscles and use pulling and rubbing motions to increase the flow to the meridians within the body.  The Chinese massage process can seem somewhat abrasive as it’s not a relaxing massage such as Swedish American massage.  This massage is solely there to release any of the toxins while increasing the energy flows. It’s also an option for the patient to receive acupuncture right after the massage.  Traditionally, they will use acupuncture but you can request that this is not to be used. 

Thai Massage

The Thai massage on the other hand is a little more calming and relaxing the client, they actually use stretching techniques to help alleviate the tension before they begin to massage the client.  They also use their knees as well as their arms and legs to massage the client.  This allows the massage therapist to put larger amounts of pressure to the areas where the client may need some extra assistance.  The Thai massage is not done on a massage table, as this won’t allow the massage therapist to use their knees and legs to help stretch and massage your back and neck.  You will lie flat on a floor mat similar to an exercise mat, you are also asked to bring comfortable clothing like the clothing you would wear during a yoga session.  You can request the massage to be completed within an hour or even two hours.  The pricing will vary at each location but you can generally get a good massage within an hour time frame.  If you are looking for complete relaxation, two hours will definitely allow you to totally relax.  This is not recommended for pregnant women or people with serious underlying conditions.  It’s important to always consult with your doctor before starting any massage regiment.

Thai massages are more energizing and thorough than any other types of classic massages.  Therapists will use his or her hands, knees, feet, and legs to perform yoga-like movements on their clients.  Since Thai massage is similar to yoga movements, it is also referred to as Thai Yoga Massage.  Clients will experience muscle compressions and joint mobilization during treatment.  The movements in Thai massage are so similar to yoga that many people say a session is like doing yoga without having to do the work.   

 Typical Session

During a session, the client remains fully clothed and there are no oils used.  There is a padded mat on the floor and clients are asked to wear comfortable clothes.  Sessions last about 60 minutes.  Many clients say that Thai massage has helped them relax, decrease stress, improve circulation, increase energy, improve flexibility, and increase range of motion.  Massage therapists suggest that clients do not eat a heavy meal before  a session because of the activity.  It is important that individuals inform their therapists about their complete medical history because people with certain conditions should not participate in Thai massage.  If there is any discomfort during a session, the client should always let their practitioner know.   

Shiatsu, translated to finger pressure, began as a Japanese healing technique years ago.  Unlike many other massages, the key to shiatsu is pressure and stretching.  The practitioner uses different parts of the body such as palms, fingers, thumbs, knuckles, and elbows to work different pressure points in the body.  Many practitioners will also use their knees and feet during a session.  Shiatsu is said to improve an individual’s energy flow and strengthen important organs.  This form of massage allows the practitioner and client to communicate through touch.

Typical Session

During a shiatsu massage, the client will be asked to lie on a mat that is placed on the floor.  The practitioner will use different parts of their hands, elbows, and feet to help restore energy.  Pressure will be applied to acupuncture points to correct injuries and encourage the flow of energy.  Shiatsu is a spiritual experience which can result in an emotional session for the client.  Clients may experience laughter, crying, or feelings of joy because their body is breaking through an old energy flow.  Shiatsu treatments are given to help respiratory and digestive problems as well as headaches and leg cramps.  This type of massage can be used to relieve pain from everyday problems.

Oriental massage has been around for thousands of years.  It is very different from a traditional massage or even a deep tissue massage. An oriental massage is a specialized unique massage that incorporates the traditional teachings learned within Chinese medicine.  The oriental massage starts out very differently than a traditional massage,  In a traditional massage there will be lotion or oils used to start rubbing the neck and upper back to relax the client.  The oriental massage will start by applying warm aromatherapy oil to the head and massaging the face, temples, head and scalp.  The massage therapist will also use Chinese traditional techniques such as the acupuncture pressure point therapy.  They will also apply pressure to the temples and the top of the head to promote the circulation the face and neck.  There are several variations of the oriental massage.   One technique is called the Chinese tuina, and this started back in 1700 b.c.  It helps to focus on the lower back region and helps to heal the onset of lumbar strains and pains.  This massage incorporates a pressure point massage that focuses on the acupuncture areas within the body.  There are many different techniques that are used such as tui-pushing and na-grasping. These both help to key in on the lumbar region and allow the massage therapist to apply a pushing motion while incorporating the acupuncture trigger point techniques.  Every Chinese massage will be focused around the pressure points.  The acupuncture techniques are always used in each massage, as the Chinese follow this to help increase blood flow and release the toxins from out of the muscles.  People use these techniques even to heal minor traumas to the body.  The Chinese believe that the body can heal itself, and they believe that the acupuncture and herbal remedies will heal the areas that are majorly injured or sore.  If you do have a more serious injury receiving a massage is not recommended unless this is permitted by your doctor.

A popular form of an Asian massage is Shiatsu. Shiatsu was originated in Japan and has dated back to the early 1900’s.  Shiatsu is an Asian body massage that can improve various health conditions.  During a Shiatsu massage, the chiropractor will use stretching techniques to relieve muscle tension and stiffness within the joints.  The effectiveness of Shiatsu is based on the client’s physical and emotional reaction.  Studies show that the treatment is calming and improves the body’s healing process.  Regular visits to a Shiatsu specialist will help reduce stress and anxiety.  Benefits of Shiatsu also include treatment of pulled muscles, lowering anxiety, and reducing the discomfort of arthritis.

Technique

During a Shiatsu massage, the masseuse will use his fingers and hands to apply pressure to certain areas with the body that are related to the central and autonomic nervous systems. There are no massage oils used during this massage and the recipient does not get undressed. Shiatsu involves breathing techniques, joint stretches and rotation, and pressure point manipulation. Shiatsu is similar to acupuncture, however the pressure is applied with the finger tips instead of needles.  It has been said that a true Shiatsu massage artist can diagnose and abnormalities in the body by using his fingers, palm and thumbs. The Shiatsu massage was designed to treat the whole body and promote overall wellness instead of targeting one specific problem area.

]]> http://www.echiropractor.org/chiropractic-consulting/chiropractic-care-chiropractic-consulting-2/asian-massage-technique/feed/ 0 http://www.echiropractor.org/chiropractic-techniques/massage/the-practice-of-reiki-massage/ http://www.echiropractor.org/chiropractic-techniques/massage/the-practice-of-reiki-massage/#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:53:18 +0000 echiropractor http://www.echiropractor.org/?p=721        The Japanese word ‘reiki’ translates to “universal life force energy.” Reiki massage uses spiritual energy to heal a person, making it much different from a typical massage.  While massage therapists use their hands to rub out pain, Reiki practitioners absorb energy through the universe and channel it through the patient to relieve pain.  The healing process for the patient is encouraged through the replacement of bad energy with good energy.  During a Reiki massage, the client remains fully clothed while laying down on a massage table or mat.  The room is a candle lit, relaxed atmosphere with soothing music and aromatherapy.  The Reiki practitioner will transfer energy to the patient by gently touching different parts of the body.  Unlike a typical massage, there is minimal contact between the patient and practitioner.  Clients who participate in Reiki will experience intense feelings of warmth and comfort during a session.  Others may actually feel the energy transferred from their practitioner’s body to their own.  Reiki sessions last about an hour and are one-hundred percent safe.  Patients do not incur any side effects or injuries.  Reiki massage is used to treat conditions such as lock jaw, muscle pain, stress, and nearly 60 other medical issues.

 Western Massage Techniques

       Western type massages focus on the anatomical understanding of the body and includes massages such as Swedish, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Connective Tissue Therapy.  These types of massage are used to manipulate soft tissues.  Western massage also works on the digestive system and the nervous system for the purpose of realigning or improving the whole system.  Swedish massage is the most common Western type because it promotes relaxation and muscles tension relief.  Two benefits of Western type massages include reduced pain and enhanced circulation.

In contrast, the other form of oriental massage is typically done without certification at “entertainment massage parlors.”  In the United States, oriental massage usually has a negative connotation to it.  This doesn’t always have to be true, but typically speaking this type of massage isn’t therapeutic in nature; it’s more associated with erotic massage.  The therapists/entertainers are usually not certified by any institution or licensed by the state to practice clinical massage therapy for therapeutic purposes respectively speaking.  Some states allow the therapists to deliver the massages topless while dancing and others offer escort services as well.  Many businesses are being prosecuted due to illegal activity taking place in many different communities all throughout the United States.  Law enforcement agencies are realizing that this isn’t safe practice and shouldn’t be affiliated with the art of practicing safe, therapeutic, rehabilitative massage therapy for health and relaxation purposes only.

According to the Japanese Medical Department of the Ministry of Welfare in 1957, “Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one’s hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body and for maintaining and promoting health.  It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses.”  Shiatsu training is offered in two primary philosophical ideologies.  Schools either follow Traditional Chinese Medical philosophy or focus on Western teachings of Anatomy and Physiology.  Shiatsu exists as a licensed medical therapy in Japan and throughout the world.  Shiatsu originated in Japan and appeared in the book Tenpaku Tamai’s Shiatsu Ryoho in 1915.  In 1940, Tokujiro Namikoshi opened the Japan Shiatsu College.  Shizuto Masunaga, was one of the students/teachers at his school and eventually opened up his own school teaching the Zen style of Shiatsu.

Types Of Shiatsu

There are various kinds of Shiatsu including:  Meridian Shiatsu, Zen Shiatsu, Tao Shiatsu, Ohashiatsu, Quantum Shiatsu, Movement Shiatsu, Aze Shiatsu, Shinso Shiatsu, Zen-touch Shiatsu, and Body-work Shiatsu.  The practice of Shiatsu involves the entire body including the nervous system.  “Diagnosis and Therapy Combined” Shiatsu involves the talent of a therapist to apply hand palpation to find and treat bodily imbalance and to use specialized techniques to correct these imbalances.  This Diagnosis and Therapy Combined concept is the main difference between itself and Kampo Medicine.  Shiatsu is said to stimulate the immune system, nervous system, circulatory system, bone structure, and muscles.

Reiki massage is using spiritual energy to heal a person’s aura.  Reiki translates to “Universal Life Force Energy.”  Reiki is believed to have started thousands of years ago in Tibet.  In the 1800’s, Dr. Mikao Usui, rediscovered this art and taught it till his death in 1893.  Many forms of Reiki are still in existence but two forms predominate:  “The Usui System of Natural Healing,” and “the Radiance Technique.”  Both forms provide balance for the body to heal itself.

Benefits

Traditional massage therapy is different than Reiki massage but the two may be combined for better results.  To be trained in Reiki massage you must be a licensed massage therapist.  Reiki is different than traditional massage in that the therapist’s hands stay still instead of moving in order to allow energy to flow from the therapist to the patient.  Reiki combines the use of the 4 chakras of the body in the treatment of more than 60 conditions, positively affecting all systems of the human body.  It is said to have no side effects and the patient typically feels only sensations of warmth and relaxation; leaving them feeling rejuvenated, joyful, and stimulated.  A study conducted in California took 47 people participating in the treatment of Reiki and a control group of 9 healthy medical professionals to assess the changes in hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.  The study concluded that the Reiki group had significant increases in their hemoglobin and hematocrit levels whereas the control group had no change.