Learn To Massage – The Fine Art of Massage Therapy

When you have a headache, you subconsciously rub your temples with your fingers to reduce the pain. When your back hurts from working on the laptop, you use your hands to rub against your spine to release the knotted up muscles. This, essentially, is massage.

Massage plays a big role in our lives. From rubbing a cramped calf muscle to pampering yourself with a massage therapist session, we have subconsciously known the benefits of massage for ages. Ancient sciences like Ayurveda have chronicled massage techniques which are still used and taught today.

Massage therapy techniques
Massage therapists are greatly skilled in various types of massage techniques. However every massage therapist will tell you that there are several things that need to be taken in to consideration carefully.

Pressure points: a massage therapist is usually very careful about pressure points. In massages like the Swedish deep tissue massage, the use of 5 different heavy strokes can allow the massage therapist to be too hard on the individual. In some cases, an individual may bruise easily. This must be taking care of.

Temperature of props involved: In most massages, ointment or oils are used. In certain Ayurvedic massages, the use of hot stones is used to calm the nervous system. In the hot oil massage, hot oil is poured rhythmically on the forehead of the individual and the scalp is massaged. It is important here to be very careful of the temperature of the props involved to optimize the massage experience.

Objective of the massage: Each massage would have a certain objective. When it comes to aromatherapy, aromatic oil used invokes a different sensation and reaction in the individual. It is important to understand what the individual aims to achieve from the massage. Is he stressed? Does he need to feel energized? Does he wish to feel calm? Accordingly, the scent should be used to optimize the massage experience.

Why learn the art of massage?
Massage allows you and me to learn the art of massage. But why should you learn it, is a good question. The benefits of massage are immense. Massage does not just apply to the rich, bored housewives who can afford to be pampered. Massage is relevant to your daily life no matter what your profession!

•     Infants and young children- studies have proven that massaging growing babies’ limbs help promote the growth of strong muscles and bones

•     Children- massage helps asthmatic children to increase air flow and pulmonary action

•     Adults- the right kind of massage helps to prevent migraines, reduce back aches, reduce calf and lower back pain due to heels and prevent arthritis at later age

•     Women- massage greatly helps to reduce cramps during menstruation

•     Accident and ailment patients- massage plays a huge role in tissue regeneration and recovery

•     General public- massage reduces mental stress in a person.