Shanghai is a metropolis in eastern china and is located in the middle part of the coast of the mainland in China.  The Chinese characters for Shanghai mean “up, high, top, on, above, and sea.”  In the 19^th century, Shanghai grew in importance due to its port location.  However, this large city is also famous for eastern massage therapy.  Massage therapy has its roots in China and is one of the oldest forms of alternative medicine.  Massage therapy has many benefits including: increased circulation and digestion, decreased heart rate, relaxation and rejuvenation, elimination of harmful waste products and toxins, reduction in hyper-irritable areas in muscles, reduction of headaches and muscle aches, skin clarity, diminished appearance of cellulite, etc.  Massage therapists learn many different techniques in massage school and differ somewhat from east to west.  However, the basic techniques are the same including: Effluerage, Pettrissage, Tapotement, Roulement, Myofascial release, Trigger-point release, Cyriax friction, muscle stripping, Cranial-sacral technique, Shiatsu, Rain-drop technique, and hot-stone massage.  Massage is always performed in the direction of the heart. 

Where can massage therapists practice?

Therapists have the option to practice massage in shanghai in a variety of settings.  Such settings include: spas, health clubs and wellness centers, hospitals, cruise ships, chiropractic offices, acupuncture office, physical therapy rehabilitation facilities, corporate events, athletic events, bridal parties, etc.  The massage therapist will instruct the client to disrobe to his or her comfort level realizing that the more one disrobes the easier it will be for the therapist to access their musculature.  At this time, they will also instruct the client how to get onto the table either prone (face down) or supine (face up).  Post massage, the therapist will provide water to the client and explain to them the importance of drinking added water after a massage.  This will help to eliminate any harmful toxins or waste products such as lactic acid from the body.  On average, an individual should drink half their body weight in ounces per day.

Do you dream of pursuing a rewarding career in massage therapy?  Massage therapy careers are growing faster than the national average for health careers that are prospering by nearly 20%.  This is exciting news since certification in massage therapy is fairly inexpensive to obtain compared to many other health careers.  Typically, a massage certification is a minimum of 500 hours, lasts about one year in duration, and costs around $8,000.  The therapist has the option of working in a solo private practice, work with a Chiropractor, physical therapist, gym or wellness center, hospital, spas, cruise ships, sporting and corporate events. 

Massage Techniques

Students learn many different courses and techniques when introduced to massage careers such as the following: human anatomy and physiology, pathology, kinesiology, hydrotherapy, orthopedic evaluation, range of motion testing, and techniques like Effleurage, Petrissage, Roulement, Myofascial release, Tapotement, Cyriax friction release, muscle stripping, trigger point release, Shiatsu, Reiki, Cranial-sacral technique, rain-drop technique, hot-stone massage ischemic compression, and many more.  Students have the ability to administer their skills on out-patients in the student clinic of the accredited massage college in their final months.  This allows them to perfect their skills and gives the public an introduction to massage therapy at a discounted rate.  It’s also safe for the client since the massages are supervised by a clinician at the school.  Overall, massage careers are exciting; however, if you don’t want to become certified in the field, community colleges are always offering introductory classes that last 1-2 days.  These classes usually teach Effleurage technique, a light stroke in the direction of the heart.        

Have you ever thought of becoming a massage therapist?  Well, you’re not alone!  There are thousands of massage therapists within the United States and many more becoming nationally certified by the N.C.B.T.M.B every day.  More and more institutes and colleges are offering massage therapist programs.  Most accredited institutions offer programs that are 500-hours in duration.  Massage therapy students must take the following classes: human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, orthopedic testing, range of motion, and clinical application.  The massage techniques applicable to a therapist are Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Roulement, Trigger Point Release, Myofascial Release, Cross-friction massage, Cyriax friction, Shiatsu, Rain-drop therapy, Sacral-Occipital Technique, and hydrotherapy applications.  Once graduated, the new therapist has many different options for employment such as spas, cruise ships, Chiropractic offices, wellness and fitness centers, acupuncture offices, physical therapy rehabilitation, and hospitals. 

N.B.C.T.M.B.

The National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork offer a specialized test to qualify candidates for national certification.  This test sets apart therapists among the field to ensure the public the highest level of safety and technique.  This certification demands that the therapist complete 50-hour of continuing education every four years with ethics being a major requirement.  In addition, they also require them to show proof of hand-on application throughout the 4-year time frame.           

Have you heard the negativity associated with massage parlours?  Many times often enough, massage parlours have a negative connotation.  Sometimes they are referred to as the practice of massage therapy by women whom typically do not possess a state license to practice massage therapy and they engage in erotic behaviors.  This is very unfortunate for the massage therapy community not only to the therapists who practice legally, but it gives the art of this Chinese medicine a negative connotation that all massage clinics are erotic in nature.  Massage therapists must attend a school licensed by a state or national licensing agency to become a certified massage therapist in order to practice in the United States.  These programs are typically about one year in length and are anywhere from 500-1000 hours in duration.  They study classes such as human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, pathology, hydrotherapy, orthopedic testing, range of motion evaluation, and clinical application of applied skills and techniques.  There are also alternative techniques to learn such as Thai massage, Shiatsu, Cranial-Sacral technique, Rain-drop technique, hot stone massage, and many more. 

Safety of the Public

Massage clinics may be located anywhere and it’s important to notice where they are located, how long they’ve been in business, are the therapists licensed in the state, are they nationally certified by the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (N.C.B.T.M.B.), and how many clients attend the clinic.  Taking all these factors into consideration will help determine whether or not it’s a safe and ethical place to receive a massage therapy session.  Most massage clinics can be found in spas, hospitals, physical therapy and wellness centers, chiropractic offices, and acupuncture offices.  The public always has the option of looking up a therapist or any other professional license for that matter on government agency sites such as the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or www.idfpr.com. 

Blind Massage and Shiatsu

Clients will benefit from massages physically and emotionally.  Research proves that massages relieve sore muscles and reduce anxiety and stress.  There are several different types of massage you can receive in Shanghai, China including Blind Massage, Shiatsu, Thai-Style, and Hot Stone.  Blind Massages are very unique and provide people who are visually impaired with employment opportunities.  The Chinese government has created centers to train blind individuals to become some of the best massage therapists in China.  Masseuses use a technique called tui na which is similar to the concept of acupuncture but they replace needles with finger pressure.  Clients can also request another form of massage called Shiatsu.  Shiatsu is a form of Japanese acupuncture that uses the fingers by rotating them in more rhythmic movements.  This type of massage relieves stress, reduces knots, and improves blood circulation.   

Thai- Style and Hot Stone Massage

Thai Style massage has been around for over 2000 years and is stronger and harsher than most massages.  Instead of lying on a massage table, you will be asked to lie on a mat that’s placed on a ground.  It is believed to relieve stress through full body pressure and stretches.  Hot Stone massage is becoming increasingly popular as well.  Massage therapists use heated black volcanic rocks combined with oils to relieve tension in the body.  The stones are used to relax the muscles with heat and reduce knots located throughout the muscles. 

Neck pain is a common reason why patients seek massage therapy.  The two most frequent causes of neck pain are sprain, an injury to the ligaments of the spine, and strain, an injury to the spinal muscles.  Other causes of pain include pinched nerves or a variety of spinal disorders such as herniated discs and cervical spondylosis. Regular visits to a massage therapist are a noninvasive and effective procedure that can help to manage the pain.  Common symptoms of neck pain include spasms, stiffness, headaches and muscle discomfort.  If acute pain if left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain and loss of range of motion. 

Treatment

Several types of massage that have shown to improve neck pain include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Trigger Point Therapy, and Shiatsu.  Depending on severity of the pain, several massage treatment sessions may be required to achieve to highest level of relief.  After massage sessions, patients can prevent neck pain by maintaining good posture while standing or walking.  It is also beneficial to practice neck-strengthening exercises such as yoga to both stretch and strengthen the body.  There are many types of massages used to improve neck pain, but it is important for a patient to choose the right massage therapist who can assess and recommend the right massage for their condition.           

Massaging is a verb used to describe the art of performing massage therapy.  Massage was developed thousands of years ago in ancient China.  There are many different types of massage ranging from Swedish, deep tissue massage, Reiki, Shiatsu, and pregnancy massage.  Massage has grown in popularity and is becoming more accepted as a healthcare treatment.  Massaging patients can be done in many different places and at various time increments. 

Massage duration

Typically, massages last 15, 30, 60, or 90 minutes and differ greatly in price depending on geographical location.  Massage therapy training is now being offered in higher demand within colleges.  Colleges are recognizing the importance of massage as well as the economical growth and awareness it brings to communities. 

Massage Career

Massage therapists can make a very successful and lucrative career working as independent contractors or as employees.  Many states in various chiropractic offices and hospitals can currently bill insurance for massage therapy making it more accessible and affordable to the general population.  In these settings, massage therapy is typically therapeutic in nature and the goal is pain relief and postural correction versus relaxation and stress reduction. 

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy sessions are shorter in duration lasting about 15-30 minutes and focus on muscle stripping and trigger point release.  Massage works to correct muscle hypertonicity.  Hypertonicity causes the muscles to pull on the bones of the spinal column therefore causing subluxation and impinging nerves in the spinal canal.  Reducing muscle spasticity eases the job of the Chiropractor making the adjustment easier and hold longer for the patient.  Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years and will continue to be because its effects are numberous.

Massage therapists are healing practitioners’ that provide therapeutic relief through the use of their hands.  Massage therapy is a very rewarding and satisfying career because your clients always love you for making them feel relaxed, rejuvenated, stress-free, and hopefully pain-free.  Massage therapists receive their education through colleges or institutions specializing in the art and science of massage therapy, such schools range in completion hours totaling 500 or more.  Most institutions need to be credited in order for the students to receive federal funding.  Massage therapists can work at a variety of locations including chiropractic offices, spas, hotels, cruise ships, corporate and charity events, and even specialize in equine and dog massage.  Massage therapists may chose to be independent contractors or work as an employee, whichever fits their lifestyle best. 

Techniques

Massage therapists utilize many techniques including effleurage, pettrisage, muscle stripping and trigger point release, myofascial release, hot stone, reiki, shiatsu, and much more.  Massage therapists can incorporate instruments/tools in their massage such as stones, trigger point devices, Graston instruments, etc.  Therapists work very closely with other health care professionals especially chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists.  Working in conjunction with these practitioners helps to increase results of massage therapy. 

Contraindications for Massage

Massage therapy can be done on virtually every age and every condition with some contraindications for certain disease processes.  Some contraindications include but are not limited to pregnancy in the 1^st trimester, metastasis, inflammatory conditions, acute injuries, and many more.  Massage therapists need to be skilled on these conditions, as well as when i t is appropriate to administer care and when the patient should be referred out to the proper practitioner.

Shiatsu began in the early years of the twentieth century in Japan. Over the years, its style and theory has evolved depending on where on the globe the treatment is being done. There are two main theories that practitioners interpret when it comes to shiatsu and those are the Eastern theories relating to traditional Chinese medicine and the Western interpretation of shiatsu based on a physiological and anatomical basis. Is shiatsu for you? It is important to research this type of therapy and the various forms available as well as which type of practitioner would best help you experience the form that is right for you.

Benefits

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese bodywork that translates to “finger pressure”. A shiatsu bodywork therapist will apply rhythmic finger pressure on acupuncture meridians for two to eight seconds at each meridian. The session is generally performed on a mat on the floor or a low massage table. A client will remain fully clothed as no oil or lotion is necessary. Shiatsu can be used to manage symptoms of PMS, headaches, anxiety, stress, depression and muscles aches and pains. The physiological effects of shiatsu include decreased blood pressure and stress and increased circulation of blood and lymph. Overweight individuals may not experience the same quality of results as a person of an average body mass index. Some clients have reported mild effects following a shiatsu session and these effects include cold-like symptoms, sleepiness or soreness around the areas that were focused on. There are generally no negative side effects of shiatsu.

References Cited in this Article

www.holisticonline.com

www.altmedicine.about.com

www.wikipedia.org

Tui Na

A variety of Massage Therapy techniques have originated from Asia.  Tui Na follows Traditional Chinese Medical Philosophy with a focus on the flow of Qi energy in the body.  By applying pressure in specific areas as well as utilizing manipulation, Tui Na practitioners work with the innate ability of the body to heal itself.  The Asian Technique of Tui Na works to remove blockages in the flow of Qi in the body.  Tui Na has begun to integrate into modern massage as an effective way to identify and treat areas exhibiting symptoms.  Similar to Chiropractic, Tui Na works to bring joints and tissues back into alignment.  Tui Na also incorporates the use of soft-tissue massage and Acupressure.  Training in Tui Na is offered in several states including:  Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.[1]

Shiatsu

Shiatsu also follows Chinese philosophy focusing on Energy Meridians as well as the use of Acupressure.  Shiatsu technique involves a stronger amount of pressure applied via the thumbs and fingers.  In addition, massage tables are typically not used for Shiatsu; instead, patients often lie on the floor with a padded mat.[2] By visiting a Massage Therapist that practices a form of Asian Massage, patients can allows their body’s internal energy to flow without interference.

[2] (2009).  Shiatsu schools and careers guide.  Retrieved July 17, 2009 from www.naturalhealers.com