Health Benefits and Types of Massage

Most of my regular clients say that adding massage to their regimen has helped them become more aware of their body, and stress and tension. The power of this therapy has helped my clients with a wide range of physical and mental conditions such as weight loss, stress relief, headache relief, addiction, arthritis, depression and overall sense of well-being. In my experience, the power of touch not only benefits healthy clients, but goes so far as to aid the terminally ill. It's one of the oldest health practices on earth, and is finally making a comeback in western society as an aid to traditional medicine.

Reasons to incorporate massage:

•Improve circulation
•Enhance muscles tone
•Increase lymphatic drainage
•Aid in digestion
•Combat sleep deprivation
•Increase lymphatic drainage
•Reduce blood pressure
•Manage stress
•Relieve headaches
•Relieve arthritis
•Sport injuries
•Relief from muscle spasm and soreness
•Improve range and mobility
Massage manual:

•Swedish massage. Long, smooth strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. This is the most common style of massage for relaxation.
•Aromatherapy massage. Uses essential oils distilled from plants, trees and flowers.
•Deep tissue. Targets the deeper muscle layers along with connective tissue (commonly used in sports massage). This is a very therapeutic massage (lots of muscle release) but often leaves the client sore for a few days.
•Shiatsu. A form of Japanese bodywork that uses finger pressure points in a rhythmic style on the body’s meridians. Each point is usually held for 10 seconds to increase the body’s energy flow.
•Reflexology. People know this massage as “foot massage”. It is actually based on the theory that points on the feet correspond with organs and systems in the body.
•Sports massage. For individuals involved in a lot of physical activity, this technique helps people who work out frequently, and can help prevent injury. A lot of stretching/holds are incorporated into this method.
•Cranial sacral therapy. A technique based on cranial osteopathy. This massage is said to aid in the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid throughout the central nervous system.
•Reiki. Based on the idea that there is an unseen life force that flows through all beings. Reiki therapists treat the whole person (mind, body and spirit), rather than just the physical body.