Ace McCloud - Massage: The Best Massage Techniques From Around The World

Massage

The Best Massage Techniques From Around The World

By Ace McCloud

Copyright 2016

Disclaimer

The information provided in this book is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. This book is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. The publisher and author are not responsible for any specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision and are not liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application or preparation, to any person reading or following the information in this book. Any references included are provided for informational purposes only. Readers should be aware that any websites or links listed in this book might change.

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I want to thank you and congratulate you for buying the book, Massage: The Best Massage Techniques From Around the World.

This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to determine the best type of massage therapy for your needs. It will introduce you to the best massage techniques from around the globe, so come along with me and discover all the incredibly inventive massage techniques developed over the last thousand years and how you can utilize them to heal your body and make your life happier and healthier.

Massage therapy is a form of healing touch. It offers an excellent way to help your body relax, recover from stress, heal injuries, while having therapeutic effects on the mind, emotions and body. Massage therapy has been utilized for thousands of years to treat muscle tension, chronic pain, and a variety of physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological issues.

During massage therapy, another person, usually a licensed massage therapist discerns the parts of your body that need special attention and then applies pressure to those areas using fingers, hands, elbows, feet and special devices to relieve stress, release muscle tension, and reduce pain. The focus of the massage is mainly on your muscles, tissues, skin, and joints.

In this book, you will explore the mechanics of a wide range of massage therapies and how you can utilize them yourself to get much needed relief. You will be provided with plenty of information so you can decide whether Shiatsu, deep tissue, Swedish, trigger point, or another type of massage will best serve your needs. You will also learn about Thai massage, myofascial massage, reflexology, and massage that utilize hot stones and aromatherapy. We will discuss sports-related massage and massage to facilitate a womans pregnancy. We will even discuss tastefully, of course Erotic and Tantric massage, two massage forms that can be incredibly enjoyable.

Be prepared to discover all you need to know to bring your massage skills to the next level.

S wedish massage comes from, unsurprisingly, Sweden. This is probably what you are thinking of when you use the word massage. Swedish massage relaxes the body by manipulating muscles in gliding strokes. It involves pressure and manipulation with the therapists hands, palms, forearms and elbows in firm kneading motions, drum-like tapping, bending and stretching, or long smooth strokes.

Benefits

The benefits of Swedish massage are many. Its primary accomplishment is to force oxygen into your bloodstream, improving your circulation. It also removes toxins by flushing them out of your muscles and persuades these muscles to release their tension while at the same time encouraging them to become more flexible. Swedish massage does not only affect your physical body, but also offers mental and emotional benefits. Stress is relieved, relaxation is achieved, and the mind is allowed to rest.

Muscles and joints tend to loosen under the hands of a Swedish massage practitioner and those nasty knots where your muscles bunch up will untangle and flow smoothly. Muscle spasms often cease and muscle tissues are reinvigorated. If you are prone to muscle cramps, particularly in the legs and calves, a Swedish massage can provide both treatment and preventative measures. By increasing your blood circulation, it also improves skin and muscle tone.

If you have an injury, Swedish massage can promote healing. It decreases pain, and can reduce the symptoms of arthritis, carpal tunnel, asthma, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, headaches, and TMJ, to name just a few. Swedish massage can also help with insomnia, depression and anxiety. It leaves the recipient with a feeling of well-being and may even improve ones concentration.

Origins

Per Henrik Ling, fencing instructor at the University of Stockholm, developed this form of massage in the 1830s. He had injured his elbows and nothing else seemed to cure the problem, so he began to experiment. He started by tapping the elbow area with his fingers and using short drum-like strokes to stimulate the area around both elbows. Sure enough, his injury improved.

Swedish massage was introduced to the United States by brother physicians, Charles and George Taylor, in the 1850s. It took the country by storm. Today, Swedish massage is looked upon as a valid method for treating sore muscles and to enhance health and increase a persons general sense of well-being.

How it Works

You have probably watched people receiving massages in the movies. Perhaps you have indulged in a massage at one time or another. In either case, you are already aware that Swedish massage is performed with the recipient in the nude, albeit tastefully covered with a sheet or towel. If it is particularly uncomfortable to receive treatment in the nude, most therapists will allow a client to keep their underwear on. The draping, which is removed from an area being massaged and then covered again, provides not only for a clients modesty, but also traps the body heat to keep the muscles relaxed and supple.

Oil is applied to the body as a lubricant, to facilitate the fluid, gliding motions of the therapists hands on the skin. Frequently, the oil is tinged with a fragrant essence, to enhance relaxation.

A massage may last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The movements and pressure applied by the therapist warm the skin and the muscles, breaking up any knots and adhesions and facilitating blood circulation.

The client initially lies face down on a massage table. The face is cradled in a horseshoe-shaped cushion that allows for uninhibited breathing. The massage usually starts by working the back, and then moves on to the legs. After the client turns face up, the therapist works the arms, the neck, and the top of the shoulders.

Techniques

Specific techniques are unique to Swedish massage. Each one accomplishes a different purpose, but the overall objective is to move the toxins out of the muscles and facilitate their relaxation.

Effleurage is the most common technique. It consists of flowing and gliding motions on the skin that move toward the heart. The therapist may trace the contours of the body using hands and palms. The hands apply light and constant pressure. The upper back, neck, shoulders, legs and arms benefit from effleurage.