“Massage Therapy”. The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) defines Massage therapy as “a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.”
Massage therapy (abhyanga) is recommended in ayurveda in the course of treating several diseases. It plays a great role in body detoxification process (Panchakarma) before starting the core treatment.
Usually, ayurvedic herbal oils or aromatic oils are used during massage. The oils are selected according to the condition and objective of massage.
Types of Body massage
Different kinds of body massage are adopted after analyzing the cause and location of discomfort. The following are the various kinds of body massage .
•Face and Head Massage, •Arms and Hand 오피 이용방법 Massage, •Legs and Feet Massage, •Back Massage, •Neck and Shoulder Massage, •Chest Massage, •Abdomen Massage, •Massage for babies and children•Massage during pregnancy.
Techniques of massage:
A massage therapist uses ‘Strokes’ and ‘Pressure’ while massaging. Effleurage, Petrisage, Percussion, Friction and Vibration are 5 different strokes used while massaging.
Effleurage strokes are long, gliding and soothing .These strokes are made with flat surface of hands. Effleurage strokes increase the circulation and depth of relaxation.
Petrissage strokes resemble kneading. These strokes are recommended to massage children and elderly people. Skin and muscle surface are rolled or squeezed, gently and firmly by grasping them between thumb and fingers.
Percussion is done using both hands. In this stroke both hands move rapidly and alternatively stimulating the muscles. Percussion can be done with finger tips (tapping), chopping movement of stretched fingers (hacking), cupped hands (cupping), flat opened palms (slapping), and using both fists (pounding).