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Handbook for Massage Therapy / Reflex
Chiropractic Techniques with Full Illustrated !

Massage Therapy

 Massage Definition     Massage Category     Massage Benefits     Massage Therapy     Massage Products

Massage Definition
Professional therapeutic massage is an age-old healing art, which can alleviate physical, mental and emotional ailments.Systematic, scientific manipulation of body tissues with the hands to relieve pain and reduce swelling, relax muscles, and speed healing after strains and sprains. It has been used for more than 3,000 years by the Chinese. Early in the 19th century. which was later extended to relieve deformities of arthritis and re-educate muscles following paralysis. Manipulations include light or hard

Massage Category
               There are many different approaches and applications to massage.

• Chinese Massage
  Chinese massage is the name for a family of massage therapies practiced within traditional Chinese medicine . In traditional Chinese practice, massage is one of the fundamental treatment modalities, along with dietary regulation, herbal medicine,acupuncture/moxibustion, and therapeutic exercise.
  Massage as a part of Chinese medical treatment goes back about 4,000 years. Written massage textbooks began to appear as early as the fourth century B.C.along with the earliest Chinese medical texts.Massage appears to have developed alongside both therapeutic exercise (qigong) and acupuncture, as it depends on the same understanding of the meridians and the flow of qi in the human body.The type of massage known as qi healing, or curing with external qi, was developed by master teachers of qigong.
   

• Foot Massage
  Foot massage or foot reflexology has a Chinese origin. It dates back to more than 3,000 years ago and is used in the prevention and cure of many health ailments.The principle of foot massage rests in the premise that the meridian network connects all tissues, organs and cells in our body.Each organ in the body is connected to a specific reflex point on the foot through the intermediary of 300 nerves. A trained foot reflexologist can put pressure on different meridians or energy lines on the sole and side of the feet to determine the cause of illness.
  By using pressure to these the reflex points, the foot massage is good for stimulating the activity internal organs, and to improve blood and lymph circulation. Thus, the top to bottom well being of a person can be made through the foot .
  Foot massage is fast gaining much popularity and acceptance as an alternative health treatment. Fans of foot massage believe it can cure not only colds and minor ailments, but more serious ailments as well. These ailments include liver dysfunction, constipation problems, chronic headaches, skin allergies, etc.
   

• Infant Massage
  Infant massage has been practiced by other cultures for centuries. Vimala Schneider McClure brought this ancient art to the United States in the 1970's, after she observed the positive effect it had on infants in India. She practiced the Indian massage strokes on her own baby and observed its benefits first hand.
  
  What are the benefits of infant massage?
  Relaxes Infant
  Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness and irritability.Digestion is aided and this can provide relief of gas and colic. Massage is also a wonderful way to lessen stress parent and baby.
  Enhances Bonding
  Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being.
  Aids Growth and Development Studies have shown increased weight gain, and immune function. Myelination of nerves is also increased. These things in turn are needed for brain and muscle development.
  Promotes Communication
  Parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues. One-on-one communication instills a massage of love and security.
  Improves Baby's Sleep
  As your infant learns to relax and release stress, sounder and longer sleep is often the end result.
   

• Facial Massage
  Facial massage is a very popular Western beauty treatment to slow down the aging process and achieve younger looking and healthier skin. It is also used to relieve stress, migraine headache, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and sinus congestion. It may involve a whole massage session, a portion of a whole-body massage or a part of a facial treatment. Facial massage can be done by a professional massage therapist, an esthetician, or a cosmetologist. Simple massage can also be done at home. Massage of the face is usually done with the hands; however, mechanical massaging devices are also used in beauty salons or spas. A small amount of oil or lotion is often applied to facilitate movement over the delicate facial areas.
   

• Swedish Massage
  a general whole body massage using oils on the skin to facilitate treatment. This is the basis of all Western forms of massage treatment.
   

• Shiatsu
  with this Japanese style you generally stay dressed and are treated on the floor.shiatsu,. This system balances all bodily systems.Deep Tissue , this approach is powerful and often painful although the benefits can be great. It is helpful in restructuring the body, improving posture.
   

• Holistic Pulsing   clothes on, you are gently rocked, the rocking or pulsing releasing tension.
   

• Sensual Massage usually both the client and therapist are naked and there is usually some sexual arousal. This is excellent for couples to help develop intimacy.
   

• Tantric Massage
  usually a sensual massage whereby the therapist assists you to understand and control or re-direct energy. A basic understanding and acceptance of the human aura and energy centers is advisable before taking this treatment (although some therapists within the sex industry use this term for sensual - sexual massage without any real knowledge of what tantra is, as it is a trendy concept). With a qualified therapist it can be of great benefit toward liberation of body, mind and spirit.
   

• Skydance Spiritual Massage
  a new style lasting two to three hours that is a combination of massage styles that works to balance the physical structure, induce deep relaxation in a way that promotes your spiritual awareness and empowers your consciousness.skydance. It has similarities to Kahuna, Tantric and Lomi-Lomi massage.
   

• Aroma therapy
  the use of naturally occurring essential oils to enhance treatment. Often used as a treatment in themselves with different oils being applied to different parts of the body.
   

• In all there are over 400 recognised styles of massage.

Massage Benefits
Massage Therapy helps relaxation, releasing stress and tension in our bodies.Too much unresolved stress in our lives can cause constant muscular tension. This tension or tightness reduces the flow of blood and oxygen to the muscles and organs and also restricts nerve & lymph supply. Tension creates a tendency for a build up of toxins in the body, and reduces the flow of the more subtle energy or life force (Prana or Chi). Tension can lead to symptomatic feelings of fatigue, heaviness, aches and pains, tightness of muscles and stiffness. Muscular stress can increase the likelihood of strains and injuries. Muscular stress also distorts the skeletal structure which further compounds existing problems and creates new ones.
The following are some of the beneficial results that you can receive from massage treatments:

Massage Therapy
               Massage can be treating many diseases, following the introduction of the treatment of some common diseases.

• Head and Face
  Headache and Head Heaviness - Face Neuralgia - Eye Fatigue - Eyesight Going

• Ear and Nose
  Snuffle - Chronic Rhinitis, Nasal Sinusitis - Pollen Rhinitis - Tinnitus and Deaf

• Oral and Pharynx
  Toothache - Stomatitis - Sore Throat - Periodontal (Gum) Disease

• Neck, Shoulder, Arm, Hand, Chest
  Neck Pain, Shoulder Stiff - Stiff Neck - Periarthritis Shoulder - Hand and Arm Paralysis - Tennis Elbow (Elbow Joint Pain) - Twist of the Wrist - Chest Pain, Intercostal Neuralgia

• Low back, Back, Leg, Foot
  Low Back Pain - Back Pain - Sciatica - Knee Pain - Leg Cramps - Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Digestive System
  Abdominal, Stomach Flatulence - Chronic Gastritis, Stomach Ache - Stomach Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer - Chronic Diarrhea, Enteritis - Constipation - Hemorrhoids

• Respiratory System
  Colds Symptoms - Cough, Expectoration - Chronic Bronchitis - Asthma - Hiccups

• Circulatory System
  Insomnia - Vertigo, Meniere's - Hypersomnia, Exhausted - Heart Arrhythmia, Palpitations - Hypertension - Hypotension

• Genitourinary system
  Cystitis, Urinary Tract Infection - Nephrotic, Oedema - Frequent Urination - Erectile Dysfunction

• Women Disease
  Dysmenorrhea, Menoxenia - Pregnancy Reaction - Menopausal Syndrome - Female Infertility

• Children diseases
  Sleep Problems (Baby Howling) - Bedwetting - Institutional Weakness - Measles, Mumps, Rubella

• Other common symptom
  Weight Loss and Reducing Fat - Freckles, Chloasma, Acne - Hair Loss and Alopecia - Diabetes - Alzheimer's

Massage Products
               There are many different kinds of massage products, as the currently popular use of the following.

• Aromatherapy
  Ancient EssenseAromaplexCandle EarsDiffusersFleurs De FranceNature's Creation

• Bath and Beauty
  Bath Massager BrushEcowax Lavender CandleecowaxShower Massage MatSleep Inducer

• Body and Massage Tools
  Back EzeBack PillowBacknobberBody Back BuddyBody Back Buddy JuniorBody Bone MassagerBongersFitball Exercise BallsFootsie RollerHandi DandiJacknobber Real Ease Relaxation ToolSpiky BallIndexnobberThe Shemala

• Body Cushions
  BodyCushionAll Natural M.A.T.Deluxe M.A.T.Back PillowFull Pro BodyCushionThe Prego PillowOriginal M.A.T.The Professional M.A.T.

• Electrical Massagers
  AcuVibe MassagerAcuVibe Softouch MassagerChi VitalizerEqualizer FootProEqualizer ProEquine Professional ThumperFinger RollersiJoy BoardiJoy SoftableMaxi Pro Variable Power MassagerMaxi Rub MassagerMini Pro2 MassagerOster Stim-U-Lax MassagerFoot MassagerPro-MassagerReflex RollerSwing Master

• Facial Massage
  SteamersStones

• Hot/Cold Therapy
  All-Temp Gel PacksHydrocollator Heating UnitsNature's CreationOther Hot/Cold ItemsStonesThermophore ProductsTowel Warmers

• Massage Chairs
  On-Site ChairsReflexology ChairsRobotic Chairs

• Massage Tables & Accessories
  Bolster, Cases, StoolsBudget Tables Lightweight TablesPortable TablesStationary & Salon Tables

• Oils, Creams and Lotions
  AccessoriesBiofreezeBiotone ProductsCandle EarsEntiere ProductsFleurs De FranceL'Organic ProductsSanta Barbara CreamsSoothing Touch ProductsSpecialsStones

• Sheets, Linens & Pads
  BolstersDisposable SheetsFlannel SheetsFleece SheetsMemory Foam Pads

• Spa Products
  BiotoneNature's CreationSoothing Touch