Oriental Massage Techniques

Overview

Oriental massage is increasingly popular in the Western world. By using physical pressure and manipulation, a therapist can evaluate the health of a client and determine the best way to heal her. Monitoring the energy flow, or chi, in a person's body is how Oriental massage heals and promotes wellness for clients.

Popularity

Many types of Oriental massage techniques and styles are out there, and the numbers keep growing as Westerners continue to adapt and blend the techniques into their own styles of therapeutic massage. Many techniques have been adapted from China and traditional Chinese medicine, including acupressure, QiGong meditation, and Tui Na and shiatsu massage techniques.

Methods

Acupressure is based on the meridian theory and uses finger pressure to press on key points on the skin to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself. When acupressure points are stimulated, muscle tension is released, and circulation is encouraged. QiGong is a hands-on and hands-off therapy that aims to balance the flow of energy thought the body to improve circulation. It involves breathing, meditation and gentle movement.

Tui Na is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and uses invigorating or soothing techniques. There are more than 365 hand movements in Tui Na, including pressing, rubbing, shaking, manipulation and percussion. The goal of many Oriental massage techniques is to regulate and control the energy and circulation in the body to heal and prevent disease.

Theory

Many Oriental massage techniques are based in traditional Chinese medicine and use the meridian and five-element theory to treat clients. The five-element system sees the body as a whole, so that problems in one area may be caused by another. It relies on the concept of energy, or "chi," which is stored in organs and moves through pathways all over the body called "meridians." When energy becomes blocked, deficient or excessive, a health practitioner will diagnose a certain organ or organs as the cause of the problem and prescribe a certain healing modality to resolve the issue.

History

The Chinese have been practicing massage for thousands of years. They discovered that certain points on the body relieved pain and benefited other parts of the body. Gradually, they realized that certain points affected the functioning of certain internal organs.

Benefits

Oriental massage can relieve an array of physical and mental ailments such as headaches, neck pain, arthritis, stress, constipation and depression. By reducing stress and increasing circulation, Oriental massage techniques strengthen resistance to disease and increase overall wellness.