Asian Massage Therapy Techniques Explained
Asia as a continent is the origin of a number of different massage therapy techniques. In the past, many of these techniques were often the main way that health issues were dealt with and treated successfully. Therapists used a number of different perfumes and lubricants obtained from natural plant sources and these were applied to the head of the patient while massage therapy sessions were taking place.
The majority of techniques actually originated either in ancient China or India, but many other Asian countries developed their own characteristic style of massage therapy in a parallel fashion to the Chinese and Indian practices. It is a feature of Asian massage techniques that the massage is applied with greater pressure and with certain more extreme methods than might be experienced in western practice. The majority of these different massage therapy techniques have the same basis in targeting what are known as the body’s meridian points. These are thought to be in particular locations in the body and they are the source of much repressed energy that is unleashed during massage.
It is one of the beliefs of Asian therapists that this trapped energy helps to balance the body’s health and well-being. The energy needs to be repositioned so that the body can regain its health. It does this through helping to stimulate circulation, decrease stress and improve the body’s ability to heal itself. In each Asian country where this belief system operates, the name for the latent energy is different. In China it is called gi or chi; the Thais call it sen; the Koreans and the Japanese call it ki while to the Indians it is prana. In these and other Asian countries it is thought that the energy should be encouraged or helped in order that it passes through or circulates through the body’s energy lines in an undisturbed way.
Techniques and practices of Asian massage have gradually developed over a long time period. Those methods used so often these days in spas and massage parlours originated in China, India and Japan. Thai massage actually originated in India and was introduced into Thailand by Buddha over two and a half thousand years ago. Thai massage involves not only massage style pressure but also stretching and breathing exercises.
The breathing techniques are called pranayama and are used in combination with guided stretching and therapy techniques using pressure points applied over the meridian lines. The breathing techniques are designed to help rid the body of toxins and also help to make the nervous system stronger.
Thai massage sessions are used to help refresh the body, mind and spirit while removing impurities. It also helps to encourage a greater oxygen flow into the body. Most sessions take place on a mat on the floor or on a massage platform. While massage is taking place the client is encouraged to perform some yoga or similar positions. Thai massage sessions usually leave the client extremely relaxed when they are finished.
Japanese massage practices, also known as shiatsu, have their origin in the two Japanese words for finger and pressure, shi and atsu respectively. This technique was developed, as were other Asian massage therapies, many centuries ago and is particularly successful as it uses deep tension release from muscles. It does this by using pressure from fingers, thumbs and the palm together. Shiatsu has a number of beneficial effects including its ability to re-balance the nervous system, create a calming sensation and encourage greater flexibility in the skin, muscles and the joints.
In conclusion it can be said that the many forms of Asian massage technique originated centuries ago in India, China and other Far Eastern countries. These techniques have gained popularity in Western countries especially as a result of a renewed interest in Pilates, yoga, meditation and other forms of relaxation and exercise.