An Overview of Popular Massage Therapy Techniques

Stress is on the rise in this day and age. With more and more people working longer hours and making poorer meal choices, our bodies are paying the price. If left untreated, stress buildup can lead to serious physical problems. One particularly effective way to turn the tide of this negative cycle and restore balance to your life is through massage therapy.

Far from simply being a kneading session for the muscles, massage therapy encompasses a wide field of bodily remedies, including relief for tendons, joints, and ligaments in addition to muscles. Massages can range from light backrubs to intense full body treatments. In addition, there are a number of different styles of massage therapy from many different regions around the world. Following are some summaries of the more well known styles.

Shiatsu Massage -
Literally meaning "finger pressure," shiatsu massage is a Japanese traditional massage therapy which incorporates ideas from Chinese medicine as well as western physiology. The therapist uses his sense of touch to detect irregularities and applies pressure to specific regions of the body in an effort to correct bodily imbalances and promote good health. Currently, the practice of Shiatsu massage therapy is regulated in Japan by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In the United States, the professional organizations which certify practitioners of Shiatsu massage are the American Organization of Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA) and the National Certification Council for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).

Swedish Massage -
This type of massage therapy can be very helpful in loosening joints, promoting flexibility and reducing pain all around. The five principal techniques used by practitioners of Swedish massage are vibration, compression, tapping, kneading, and light touch, each combined in an order depending on the treatment goals discussed between practitioner and client. Therapists who are graduates of one of the 58 accredited training programs monitored by the Commission for Massage Therapy Accreditation/Approval and certified by the American Massage Therapy Association are guaranteed to have at least 500 hours of training.

Stone Massage -
Different in approach from the more manual preceding styles of massage therapy is Stone massage. This style of massage uses warm or cool stones to apply heat or pressure to the body. When coated with oil, the stones can be made smooth and used as tools to glide along body lines, providing dynamic pressure for therapeutic means. It is important to be sure the practitioner has brought the stones to the proper temperature in order to avoid the possibility of burns or serious discomfort to the skin.

A good massage can bring about a world of benefit and relaxation, both physically and psychologically. With careful consideration and a little research, anybody can find the program that is right for them.

A great way to see these techniques in practise is to visit such sites as VideoJug.com. Here they have many Massage films which will show you the basics behind these therapies.