Typical oriental massage styles are similar in that they focus on the body's invisible energy rather than specific muscles or physical features. Massage has been incorporated into traditional Asian medical practices for thousands of years. When you go for a Shiatsu or Thai massage, you will experience many of the same strokes that have been used since the inception of these practices.
Set Up
During a typical Eastern massage, the client remains fully clothed. Special mats are placed on the floor for the client to lie on and the therapist moves around the client to perform different body manipulations. Asian massage can also be performed on a specially designed massage table that is usually lower to the ground than a table that you'd find in a typical Swedish massage.
Theory
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, traditional Asian massage modalities are built around a series of meridians that line the body. These meridians are invisible pathways that line the body. The pathways are channels for energy, and an Eastern massage attempts to ensure the proper flow of this energy. If you have an injury or complaint, the therapist will attempt to locate the source of the energy imbalance and correct the proper flow.
Strokes
Massage Therapy 101 notes that practitioners of traditional Eastern massage will apply pressure to key energetic points with their thumbs, palms, elbows and other parts of the body to stimulate the energy flow along the body's meridians. Unlike Swedish massage, you won't find a lot of long, fluid strokes. Instead, the therapist will move from point to point and apply sustained pressure.
Stretches
In a Thai or Shiatsu massage session, the therapist will also perform a number of stretches. The target of these stretches isn't the individual muscles. Instead, the stretch is meant to elongate the energetic meridians. Because the client is on the floor during most Eastern treatments, the therapist can find a position with a lot of leverage to deepen the stretch.
Benefits
According to the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, typical oriental massages can have a number of benefits. The proper application of this bodywork can help to relieve pain in the body, strengthen the immune system, and provide an overall sense of relaxation.
Member Comments