Massage Therapy to promote relaxation and health
A massage is an umbrella term used to describe any bodywork which works on different areas of the body. In India it is the most well-known and widely utilized body therapy; in fact almost every other society in the world has some kind of massage that is practiced regularly. A lot of therapists use massage to describe a broad bodywork, such as a deep tissue massage however, there are many variations. Many people associate massage with a gentle squeeze or kneading movement. Contrary to what they think massage therapy is comprised of many different methods and movements, all designed to stimulate the body and relax it.
Many people have different ideas about how massage feels. Some describe it as relaxing and relaxing, while others imagine the warm, painful muscles and pleasant aromas. While the actual massage may be unique to each person the kneading and rubbing can be repeated on a variety of people throughout the treatment. A massage therapist can employ their hands, massage oil, massage sponges, towels, walls and furniture to reach all those little energy points throughout the body that are meant to release negative energy. These energy points are called "kundas" (abundant).
According to Ayurveda massage is achieved by letting the entire body experience the beneficial effects of the practitioner's hands thumbs, fingers elbows, forearms, elbows shoulders and head, face, hands, feet and teeth. The strokes must be rhythmic and flowing in order to be effective. They should be directed at the major organs, but also at small, difficult-to-reach, unimportant areas. Every part of the body is described with energy points, also known as "kundas" in Ayurvedic texts. A massage therapist who has received specific training in the Ayurvedic practice of medicine should not only be able to determine these energy points through the touch, but also be capable of referring the patient to an experienced masseuse or acupuncturist for the purpose of receiving a specific massage such as the type of massage known as abhyanga.
Abhyanga is the generic name for a massage performed with the entire hands, which is usually followed by feet. A foot pad, also known as Nyasa, can be employed by therapists to relax the muscles of the major groups. Abhyanga uses the whole body to massage muscles as well as nerves, tendons, and the like. There are two kinds of yonibedha: the direct application of oils and medications, and mudra, which is a mixture of herbs, oils and spices.
Rubbing and oil are employed primarily to remove mold and bacteria. It can also be used to decrease tension, stimulate circulation, and boost blood flow. A foot pad can be used for deep massaging to stimulate lymphatic drainage as well as to increase immune system boosters. In addition, it can also be used to alleviate the pain caused by injuries and muscular and joint pains.
Massage with Marma promotes healing by boosting energy flow. Marma is a plant that heals found in the Himalayan Mountains. It is believed to possess healing properties and is utilized today in many countries as a food source and therapeutic treatment. It is best to apply circular movements from the head to the feet to be effective. Marma should be included in the diet, especially in the case of any health issue of any kind.
In Shirodhara massage the masseuse will usually begin the session by applying warm oil, like olive oil, to the shiatsu point. The therapist applies gentle pressure to the shiatsu points and gently rubs the area with his or her hands. These circular movements relax and loosen muscles, relieve stress and aid in relaxing the person. To maximize the benefits of shirodhara therapy, the therapist repeats the process on the opposite side of the body, up to the collarbone.
The most important thing to keep in mind when doing Shirodhara massage is that only very light pressure should be applied since too much pressure could result in bruises. The most frequent areas to massage are the spine, the legs (thighs) as well as the arms, shoulders, arms and neck. Massage oils used during massage therapy can vary according to the culture, but most commonly are linalool lavender or Thymo Basil. It has been proven that using essential oils in massage therapy improves blood circulation, while massage oil alone does not. Therefore, the key to a successful Shirodhara massage is to combine massage strokes with oil.