DEFINITION OF MASSAGEMassage is a scientific method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body to have specific effect. Its objective is the restoration of function, release of tension and the re-establishment of the contours where this is desirable.
Massage Therapy is: The holistic application of physical touch to affect the systems of the body; ie. the *muscular, *skeletal, *digestive, *elimination, respiratory, *circulatory, *lymphatic, *endocrine, *emotional, *mental and *nervous systems.
It is the manipulation the soft tissues of the body with the hands for therapeutic, healing, relaxing and pleasurable effects. It is the loving touch of the heart expressed through the hands.
There are many different approaches and applications to massage.
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. 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.
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. Pure essential oils have great healing properties and we will have some pages on them in the near future.
Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Sometimes massage and trigger point therapy are performed together.
In all there are over 400 recognised styles of massage, more.
