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Massage may be the oldest and simplest form of medical care. In China there are massage textbooks as far back as the Nei Jing (722-481 BC) the most ancient Chinese medical texts. In the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) it is recorded that there were 56 massage doctors in the imperial hospital more than the total of herbalist and acupuncturists. Chinese techniques were later imported to Japan and eventually gave rise to Japanese Shiatsu. Later still Peter Henrik Ling learned from Chinese masters before developing Swedish Massage the origin of Western bodywork. Egyptian tomb paintings show people being massaged and it was also one of the principal methods of relieving pain for Greek and Roman physicians.
When muscles are overworked several things happen that cause discomfort. Lactic acid is built up and deposited within the muscle's fibres. The muscles ‘fascia’ or covering becomes entangled and stuck. Often the body becomes misaligned, putting opposing muscles under strain and creating further tensions throughout your whole body.
When you come for your first appointment a brief consultation will take place to discuss your current health and relevant medical history. Your posture will be assessed and your treatment plan will be discussed with you taking into account all aspects of your lifestyle, work and physical activity. During an effective massage blood flushes through the capillaries and cleanses the body of toxins. Nutrients then flood the freshly massaged areas, strengthening the immune system. Muscle tissue becomes softer and able to function more efficiently. Body fat is broken up leaving the skin smoother and firmer. The parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated and seretonin & endorphins, our natural ‘feel good’ & strong painkilling chemicals, are released. Our aches and pains are eased and we feel calm, relaxed and at peace.
Various massage techniques used in sports massage are listed below, together with a brief description of each. (Please note, however, that this is not an exhaustive list!) Effleurage – stroking movements of varying depths moving towards the heart. Petrissage – ‘kneading’ movements particularly useful for mobilising and stretching soft tissues. Tapotement – dynamic percussive techniques primarily used prior to a sporting event with the aim of increasing contractile potential of muscles and aiding mental preparation prior to performance. Frictions – Rubbing transversely over muscle, tendon or ligament in order to break down scar tissue which accumulates as part of the inflammatory response to injury. If scar tissue remains at an injury site, it will shrink and become weak, thus predisposing the area to subsequent injury. Compressions – Direct, usually static pressure applied through clothing or a towel. The objectives may include increasing muscle length, reducing hypertone (unnatural high tone in muscle) and reducing tissue adhesions. Vibrations – shaking and/or rocking movements applied in order to increase relaxation. These can be applied to the trunk or to individual limbs. Dermal Lifting – A technique where the skin is rolled and separated from structures beneath. Where trauma or tension have caused layers of tissue to adhere or stick together, dermal lifting can be used to reduce adherence thus enabling skin and underlying soft tissues to move freely. Stretching – Stretching may be used as part of a sports massage in order to maintain and/or increase functional range of motion. Other Techniques Used PS - Passive Stretching © copyright 2007/2008 urbantaoist. all rights reserved. disclaimer
Disclaimer
Everything presented on this web site expresses my opinion only, not facts or medical advice. What you do with the information is entirely your own responsibility. I am not liable for any injury you suffer that seems to be related to anything you read here. Ideally, the information presented here would be a good starting point for discussions with health care professionals in your local area. No information presented on this web site should replace advice received directly from a qualified health care professional. If in doubt about the seriousness of any injury or symptoms, please make an appointment with your local GP or other appropriate health care provider. |
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