Oriental Massage Therapies

Oriental massage therapies are based on traditions that come from Chinese medicine. Ancient Chinese medicine had eight different sections. They were bodywork, acupuncture, the taking of herbs, proper diet, exercise, meditation, proper placement of physical objects also known as feng shui, and astrology.

Ancient Chinese medical workers believed in yin-yang or a constant energy flow throughout the universe and in the body.

The whole person is considered in Asian therapies--body, mind, heart, and soul. If anything is wrong emotionally, physically, spiritually, or mentally, every part of the person must be treated. The channels of the body carry healing energy to all of its parts.

Besides shitsu, there are other Oriental massage therapies. Shiatsu originates in Japan. The word "shiatsu" translates to "finger pressure". It is applied to the client with the therapist's thumbs along the meridian line.

Acupressure is another Asian therapy. Points in various places on the body are given pressure. This increases circulation and melts away tension.

Amma uses deep tissue massage to pressure points. Amma is performed to unblock the flow of body energy also known as chi.

Tui na is bodywork that comes from China. "Tui" translates "push" and "na" means "grasp". The soft tissues are pushed and grasped using the fingers, hands, knuckles, fists, forearms, and elbows in tui na.

Tui na is great for chair massage as well as table massage. The Chinese believed that closed meridian channels in the body were opened and that tui na treated internal organs and musculoskeletal problems.

Qi gong provides balance and creates a state of well being through meridian channels and points on the body. Meditation and visualization are used, along with psychosomatic (mind over matter) exercises and breathing training.

This is just a small sampling of the Asian massage therapies available.

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