Author: Lyndon

There are many advantages and benefits to receiving massage therapy. For many years, it has been used to help heal the body, ease certain medical conditions, and help prevent others from occurring. Because of this, it is seen as an important, well-respected profession used by many people on a daily basis.

Whether you make an appointment with a massage therapist for medical reasons, or would like to relax and relieve stress, there is a type of massage that can help you. Massage therapists are trained individuals who have a good understanding of the human body and how it works. They know all the bones and muscles, and how to properly relieve tension and release certain chemicals that help rejuvenate the body. That is why it is taken very seriously, and should always be treated this way. To some, however, massage therapy is seen as a form of entertainment.

This has been the source of some debate in the industry. Because some see massage therapy as an option of a more personal nature, it is often assumed that a massage therapist may provide it for this reason. That is rarely ever the case, as actual therapists are there to serve the community by provided a much needed and sought after service that helps many people on a daily basis. The therapist is there to give a massage, so if a client is there for any other reason than to receive one, he or she may want to consider looking elsewhere for this preferred form of entertainment.

There are several ways to handles such situations if they do occur. If a session is perceived as anything but professional, many massage therapists will choose to immediately terminate the session. This is because it is often clearly stated up front that the massage is for reasons of relief and relaxation, and should only be construed as such. If the company does not advertise otherwise, it is good to assume this is the case. Sometimes a bit of clarification will help the situation and set customers straight on what services are and aren’t offered. Though the debate remains, the end result is very clear. The purpose of massage therapy is just that, to provide therapy to those requesting that particular service. It is a profession that is not meant for entertainment, and should never become uncomfortable for either the therapist or the client.

Massage therapy is a manipulation of muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, fascia, and joints in the body. It is a practice that has been around since the beginning of peopledom. In fact, ancient techniques are still employed in today’s modern world.

The benefits of massage are extensive. Not only can it help alleviate pain and aid in physical maladies and day-to-day functioning, but it impacts mental and emotional wellbeing. Relaxation, awareness, anxiety, and depression can all be aided and eased with massage therapy.

Massage boosts the immune system, relaxes and reduces anxiety, alleviates pain, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, stimulates lesser used muscles, increases endorphins, aids physical rehabilitation, and improves circulation (blood and lymph).

There are many different techniques and therapies in the field of massage. Some of these may be familiar to you already, even if you do not know specifically what they entail.

Swedish: Probably the most well known technique, and for good reason; it’s quite popular.

Acupressure is like acupuncture without the needles. Specific points are targeted and pressure applied to create a therapeutic effect.

Aroma Therapy is often used in tandem with other techniques. It consists of using fragrant oils for healing benefits. These oils can be applied to the skin or simply allowed to perfume the air thus allowing those nearby to receive benefits nasally.

Canadian Deep Tissue Massage: A technique that focuses on a muscle group working with the fibers of the muscle tissue to rejuvenate each level of muscle including deep tissue.

Deep Tissue Massage works to invigorate and stimulate the muscle issue on a deep level. It involves more intense manipulation and can provide tremendous benefits on many levels. Not only does it help release toxins from the body, it helps

Hot Stone Massage: Warm stones are used on the body with gentle pressure to provide a soothing, therapeutic sensation.
Infant Massage: Becoming more popular everyday, infant massage has been proven to help infants gain weight and speed development. It is taught to mothers as a way to bond with their new children.

Other techniques include Chi Nei Tsang, Reflexology, Shiatsu,Thai Massage, Amma Therapy, Alexander Technique, Aston Patterning, Bioenergetics, Bowen Technique, and Craniosacral Therapy.

Massage therapists are required to pass standardized tests in order to receive a license and become a registered massage therapist. Training is often completed at a trade, vocational, or career college and is usually completed in 2 years or less depending on the school and the program.

Massage therapy is considered a health field and massage therapy is often covered under many health plans because of its proven healing and beneficial results.

Massage is private and safe. Depending on the type of massage you receive, partial body, full body, 30 minute or longer, you may have to undress completely or not at all. The room should be warm and comfortable and there may be light music playing. If the environment makes you uneasy, do not hesitate to inform your therapist; a massage should be a relaxing and pleasant experience. This is true if you feel pain during any part of your massage experience. Some techniques are more intensive and may be a bit uncomfortable at times, but if you feel anything that makes you uneasy, do not hesitate to speak up.

Whether you are considering a career in massage therapy or if you are just interested in finding out more information about what it is and how it can benefit you cannot deny the value of a good massage.

The term reiki massage is a bit of an oxymoron when it comes right down to it simply because in reality reiki is NOT massage. However, some regard it as “massaging” the energy field. But to mention reiki massage is confusing, as this is nothing like a conventional remedial massage therapy from a licensed massage therapist.

In most instances reiki healing (not reiki massage) is the use of spiritual energy to heal a person’s aura or situation. Massage on the other hand is the process of rubbing or kneading different parts of the body for therapeutic reasons or purposes. Now having said this, there are indeed many massage therapists who are trained in reiki and who combine the two disciplines to get an even better result for the client. In instances like that, then you could aptly describe what you are receiving as reiki massage.

Licensed massage therapists who take reiki are learning how to better use their already existing healing energies to promote the spiritual well-being of their clients, as well as their physical well-being. Their treatments then become a blend of reiki massage – but this is really the only instance where those two things go together in the same sentence. So keeping this in mind, when we refer to reiki massage in this article, we are referring to a massage therapist giving reiki using the usual hand positions.

The usual treatment of reiki massage starts at the head and then works down the front of the body and down the back of the body through the seven different chakras. Where the hands are placed coincide with your seven major chakras or in other words, the energy centers of your physical body. Reiki massage helps you manage pain, deal with stress and relaxes you on a very deep level. The hands of the reiki practitioner will either be laying on you gently or working just a few inches above your body. The healing energy is sent through/channeled by the practitioner into you.

There is no need to be nervous about a massage treatment combined with reiki at the same time. The reiki will not hurt you in any way. It is actually used to help treat conditions such as lockjaw, muscle pain, tension, stress, injury healing and well over 60 other types of ailments. In the Western world you will discover there are four areas/chakras used for treatment – the head, body, legs/feet and back.

It is safe to say that reiki treatments are one hundred percent safe and do not have any side effects, nor do they incur injuries. Some will experience sensations like warmth, tingling or cold during their session, but these sensations will not hurt you. Depending on the patient, Reiki treatments have been known to show results immediately or at a later time.