Health Info : Massage
Massage and Day Spa Services in Santee
BodyMind Connection concept of massage tailors each massage to the individual being massaged: The BodyMind style does not adhere to any one modality, but believes that each person as an individual will respond to their specific needs. We believe that it is the responsibility of the therapist to find the technique or techniques that best fits that need. The BodyMind style does not believe that the therapist should do anything to the client to bring about change, but does believe that the therapist should establish the environment, using the proper technique for that person, that will best allow the client to make the decision that it is in their best interest to change.
The BodyMind type of massage can be defined by two different styles of massage. Each massage is specific in it’s purpose.
- Moving Palpations can be defined as continually feeling for where the body carries its tension. Addressing the tension found in the body, utilizing all of the available massage techniques which, in turn, allows the subconscious to calm (get over the need to protect), feel what is going on (truly get in touch with the body) and allows the muscles to release of there own accord (Neuromuscular Re-Education). Many times this work uses a two handed approach, where one hand will be addressing tension in the neck and the other many be working with the arm or hand or elsewhere on the body. There is no prescribed technique or pattern to this massage.
- Re-Tracing can be defined as accessing known holding locations (53 in all, called Gateways) and opening those gates which are closed. This in turn allows full energy (Lifeforce, Chi) to flow through the entire body. Many times as these blocks are released, there is a release of old emotional issues. This can be a positive life altering experience.
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Different Types and Styles of Massage
Massage comes in many shapes, forms, and styles. Massage has been around for 3 to 5 thousand years and consists of accessing the body in various ways. Massage can be as obscure as running the hands 1 to 3 inches from the body and addressing the field or auric energy surrounding the body as is done in Healing Touch. Many nurses have become Healing Touch Practitioners to assist patients prepare for pre and post surgery procedures. It has been shown that patients receiving Healing Touch prior to surgery have a much faster recovery period. The opposite end of the massage spectrum is called Rolfing. Rolfing was developed by a doctor, by the name of Ida Rolf. She believed that posture played an important role in our health. She developed a methodology (a series of sessions) to bring alignment back to the structure. To do this she utilizes Elbows, Knuckles and Fists to go deep into the muscles, tearing away unwanted adhesions, and breaking up any unwanted scar tissue. It is considered the most painful type of massage and some clients come away black and blue, bruised and in pain.
Massage then includes everything within these two opposite ends of the spectrum. Some of the types are:
- Circulatory or Swedish Massage
- This is the most common type and uses basic strokes to assist a person to relax. It is best used for Type A individuals who desire a lowering of the adrenalin rush caused by their driven nature. This type of massage does not address chronic muscular tension problems. This is the type of massage a novice with 100 hours of training normally provides.
- Combination or Deep Tissue Massage
- This massage normally combines some of the strokes used in Swedish Massage with some Acupressure, Trigger Point, Sports Massage and other techniques to release chronic holding patterns in the body.
- Acupressure and Trigger Point Therapy
- These are similar techniques in that they find particular spots of tension and put pressure on those spots to allow the tension to release. This type of massage is normally used in conjunction with other massage techniques.
- Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique
- These are considered functional integration procedures to bring the body into alignment using gentle movements and time to allow the process to happen.
- Reflexology
- This massage technique works only with the feet, hands or ears (normally feet) and addresses the organs and different parts of the body by pressing on different spots of the feet. The toes reflect to the head and neck and the heel reflects to the pelvic region, for example.
- Shiatsu
- This massage is defined literally as finger pressure. Can be self administered or done by a practitioner. The finger pressure is normally applied rhythmetically over the entire body allowing for tension to release.
- Trager Therapy
- A type of massage, which uses a shaking or rocking movement of the limbs. The rocking motion allows the muscles to relax.
- Myofascial Release
- This technique can be defined as "the facilitation of mechanical, neural and psychophsiological adaptive potential as interfaced via the myofascial system." Wow, that is a mouthful. Myofascial normally is associated with stretching of the limbs and the fascia surrounding the muscles and allowing the fascia to release tension with the stretch.
- Craniosacral Therapy
- The practitioner feels for a pulse that runs from the skull to the tail bone. A person doing Craniosacral Therapy type of massage is looking for anything that would impede the strength or rhythm of that pulse and uses mobilization techniques to bring it to full volume.
- Neuromuscular Re-Education
- This is a term often used in the massage arena. It is said that what is in the sub-conscious is also scattered throughout the musculature. (BodyMind connection - What is in the Mind is in the Body and what is in the Body is in the Mind - they are inseparable.) When we have a holding pattern (chronic muscle tension) in the body, something in the mind sets up that condition (habit) to protect us. In order to overcome or get past that condition we must retrain the mind (develop a new habit). This can be accomplished by using various massage techniques combined with a breathing exercise. By the same token, very often, when the muscles are manipulated, old memories or emotions are often recalled. By getting in touch with those old forgotten memories it often allows the subconscious to reevaluate / change its perception and therefore gives it the ability to change old beliefs.
