Benefits from and information on Massage Therapy

It is pointed out in traditional Chinese medical science that there are numerous acupuncture points distributed along the both sides of the spine. Massaging the back can stimulate these points, and evoke a sense of balance in a person's Yin and Yang, benefiting your state of wellness while removing negative pathogenic factors, and enhancing the functions of internal organs.

From the point of view of Western medicine, massaging the shoulder and back can dilate blood vessels of the body surface, remarkably improving blood circulation, while enhancing the body's metabolism, and relaxing tired muscles.

Medical professors point out; that there exists a special kind of cell under the skin of the human body. This cell naturally sits dormant, however when the back is kneaded or rubbed, the cell becomes stimulated. Once awaken, the cell goes into the bloodstream and develops into reticular cells, which can remarkably strengthen the body's immunity functions and also boost the disease-resisting abilities of human body.

According to the medical study in China 2000 years ago, through massage of the reflex zone foot, it can excite the relative nerve of the reflex zone, relax it, and can prompt better blood circulation. The increased blood circulation will affect a persons' health condition, because the circulation is vital to every organ.

Blood is the medium for the transport of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, antibodies and waste. That's to say the better the blood circulation, the healthier the human body. An unbalanced nervous system can cause insomnia, heart arrhythmia, constipation, tiredness, migraine, aches and pains for no apparent reason. But they can be adjusted with the appropriate massage, This can increase the health of your nerve reflexes, relax nervous muscles and calm the pain of tired and sore nerves

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a science that maps out the key energy zones of the whole body on the feet. By pressing these specific areas of the feet, every organ, gland, muscle and body part is affected. These techniques are unique to traditional reflexology and are different from the motions used in other types of massage.

In addition to traditional reflexology which relies on reflex points, modern reflexologists also consider the feet in and of themselves. The health of one's feet is a big concern; feet that are healthy and pain free are very important for one's overall well being and are an important consideration in reflexology.

What Reflexology Does

Reflexology allows the body to self-correct, cleanse itself, and purge itself of toxins. This is accomplished by applying a precise pressure upon specific reflex zones in the feet to achieve a highly specialized relaxation in the corresponding area of the body. This improves the nerve, blood, and lymphatic supply. By working on a certain area, the corresponding part of the body receives improved nerve, blood and lymphatic supply.

The purpose of nerves is to carry messages and instruct the body. When the nerves improve, the instruction also improves, and as a result the body itself improves as well. Every nerve in the body begins and ends in the hands and feet. By applying this specialized pressure on the foot, the outcome is improved instruction to each and every part of the body, resulting in a re-educating, a re-patterning, and a re-conditioning of the nerves and instruction through the reflex/neutral electrical system of the body.

The purpose of blood is to transport nutrition and oxygen to all parts of the body. It is in the hands and feet that blood transfers from arteries to veins to return back to the heart. This is the reason why the feet must be flexible and dexterous. Stress, which is responsible for 80% to 90% of ailments, can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes an impediment of blood flow which results in an a deprivation of blood to other parts of the body.

Again, by using this specific, highly specialized relaxation technique, reflexology is able to relax a specific area of the body enough to improve the blood supply to that area. This will then allow improved transportation of nutrition, glucose and oxygen which that area of the body needs in order to function properly.

The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the body and lubricate the muscles. A healthy system is a cleansed system; congestion is disease. The absence of balance in the body is disease. The lymphatic system cannot cleanse or purify very well if it is weak, sick or congested. The lymph flows in one direction only, toward the heart; also every lymphatic vessel begins and ends in the hands and feet. By using reflexology we are helping the body correct, strengthen, and reinforce itself.

Imagine a healthy body that has a strong and well-toned nerve, blood and lymphatic supply. Reflexology, which is not invasive but persuasive, can enable the body to obtain and maintain this healthy condition.

What is Shiatsu Massage Therapy?
Shiatsu is a non-invasive massage developed in Japan.
It is sometimes referred to as acupressure, acupuncture without needles, or as a form of Japanese physiotherapy.

Shiatsu can help a wide range of conditions from specific injuries to general symptoms of poor health. It can also be received purely as a pleasant way to relax and unwind.

What are the aims of Shiatsu?
The primary aim of Shiatsu is to promote energy flow, which serves to enhance circulation of blood, lymphatic fluid etc. Thus it supports the body's natural potential to self-heal.

It rebalances body systems, eg. the digestive, circulatory, respiratory and immune systems, which become unbalanced as the body redirects resources to deal with stress.

Background to Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a comprehensive form of complementary therapy, various forms of which were developed in the 20th century.

It is founded on an awareness of both Oriental medicine (also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM) and Western models of anatomy, physiology and psychology.

How does Shiatsu work?
The philosophy underlying Shiatsu is that vital energy (ki in Japanese, qi or chi in Chinese) flows throughout the body in a series of energetic pathways - known as meridians.
Energy may stop flowing freely, producing a symptom.

Based on an assessment of the client’s health, constitution and presenting symptoms, the practitioner uses a variety
of techniques to release tension and improve energy flow.

The practitioner will press on the meridians with palms or thumbs, and may also practice more dynamic rotations and stretches. The symptoms associated with lack of flow will gradually improve as the quality of energy changes.

What to expect in a Shiatsu Massage Chair session
A high quality shiatsu massage chair will massage you for 15-30 min sessions and your clothing should remain on your being. After a shiatsu massage chair session you should feel relaxed and invigorated. If it is you first time in a shiatsu massage chair than you may notice some soreness the next day. Your muscles will adapt to the strength of the chair and the soreness should subside after a few weeks of usage. One the soreness subsides the deep penetration of the shiatsu massage chair will really begin to notice the effects on you overall wellbeing. A high quality massage chair like the Premier Massage Chairs will come with a foam pad to help adjust the strength of the massage so that is does not make you too sore. You want to receive a strong massage but not a painful massage so use the foam massage chair pads accordingly.

Shiatsu works with the individual at an emotional/mental as well as physical level. Following a treatment the client may feel revitalized and invigorated, yet profoundly relaxed.