• English EN Italiano IT

Which is the best massage for you?

Before becoming a massage therapist I knew very little about massage techniques and which one would be best for my body. Sometimes it’s not just about your preferences, but also what you need and your physical condition right now. I believe many people have the same problem when it comes to choose the type of massage. So many techniques, so little time and money!

Generally a massage is a treat and can offer many health benefits: improving your circulation, boosting your immune system, give you relaxation, better sleep quality, stress relief and many more. But there are over 100 different massage types, so which one should you choose? Here my small guide, which includes the most commone ones:

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese type of massage which is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, general unwellness, anxiety and tension. It works on the energetic meridian lines so all your body will benefit from it. You can be fully cloathed.

Trigger points

Sometimes areas of tightness in the muscle tissues, known as “knots”, can cause pain irradiating in other parts of the body. During this massage, to undone these knots, it’s often used the thumb, knuckle or elbow to apply static pressure, which will eventually relieve the trigger points and reduce the pain.

Trigger point massages are best suited for people who have injuries, chronic pain, or a specific issue or condition. You can wear lightweight clothing for the massage or be fully or partially undressed.

Swedish

This is the go-to massage technique if you never had a massage before. During the massage five stroke methods are used to relieve anywhere from mild to intense muscle pain, and the severity of each stroke reflects the amount of tightness held within the muscle. Swedish massage is very good to alleviate joint pain, lower back pain, osteoarthritis and stress.

Deep tissue

Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage, and that’s why the pressure is applied by using forearms or elbows. It’s a good option if you have chronic muscle problems, injury, postural problem or imbalance. There might be a certain level of discomfort, but it shouldn’t feel too uncomfortable or painful. Avoid this type of massage if you’re overly sensitive to pressure.

Thai

A Thai massage generally follows specific body lines, called “sen,” and can last up to two hours. Thai massage is best for people who want a more active form of massage and want to focus on improving their flexibility, circulation and energy levels.

Thai massage works the entire body using movements that are similar to yogic stretching. Infact, the therapist may use not only theirs hands or fingers, but also feet to apply pressure and they might position you in various stretched and twisted positions. You can wear clothes during the massage, it is entirely up to you.

Reflexology

Reflexology utilizes the body’s natural reflexes in the hands and feet through a series of specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or other balms. Infact it is believed that the pressure applied on certain areas of the soles travels through the nerves, reacing internal organs and muscles, alleviating tension and pain. Reflexology is a good option if you want to work holistically on your whole body/organs and your energy levels. It is also good if you aren’t comfortable being touched on your entire body or being undressed.

To know more: Hand Reflexology

Sport massage

Sports massage is designed mostly for pre or post sports workout, and it is best for preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance. So if you are not an athlete, but you are prone to injuries this is the massage fo you. You may also use sports massage to increase flexibility and general physical performance.

Hot stones

The common idea around hot stones massage is that it’s for relaxation purposes, but in reality it is much more than that: these stones do in fact serve a clinical purpose. The shape of the stones and the heat work on the aching areas and allow the therapist to work more effectively. This massage techqnique eases muscle tension, improves blood flow, and relieves pain and stress. Avoid this type of massage if you are too sensitive to heat. 

Tui na and Cupping

Acupressure (which is generally used when practicing Tui Na), is a form of trigger point massage therapy, which was originally developed in ancient China as part of TCM. Acupuncture follows the same principles, but with the use of needles. This form of massage therapy is brilliant for delving into the deep fascial layers and even have an impact of organs and their correct function. During the massage you might experience uncomfortableness, but it should never be unbearable. You can wear your clothes during the therapy. 

About Tui Na: Tui Na

About Cupping: Cupping

The Healing Technique of Hand Reflexology

Every single part of the human body is connected through the nerves through feet, hands and ears“. This is what the ancient healing technique of reflexology believes.

According to this principle, the different organs in the body have nerve endings that culminate in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. These nerve endings and their associated organs have been identified by reflexologists and divided into various zones or pressure points. Any disfunction or blockage in the organs causes pain in the associated pressure point and when this one is stimulated, the blockage is removed and the organ returns to its proper function.

If you would like to compare, the prime difference between the hand reflexology and foot reflexology is that the first one uses the key points in the hands, instead of the feet, for stimulating the nerve to relieve tension, stress and imbalances of various connected parts/organs. Hands are also more flexible and the reflexes are much deeper beneath the skin as compared to the feet where the reflexes lie close to the skin surface. This means that one needs to reach deeper and hold for a longer time period in hand reflexology to stimulate a point in the hand as compared to the feet reflexology, where the effect in much efficient and quick.

Nowadays our hands are perhaps the most active parts of the human body, as most of our daily activities involve the use of the hands in a more sedentary lifestyle. It is no wonder that most people’s hands and bodies are in such agony! Hand reflexology is actually a natural form of alternative massage therapy that targets the key body zones of your body right from the palm of your hands. There are people who get instant relief from various conditions by doing this and even more who get gradual benefits only by doing it daily.

Studies conducted to measure the efficacy of this olistic massage have shown that it is beneficial for the whole body circulation and heart and produces the same positive effects on the brain as meditation. Plus, reflexology can help you to beat stress. It is also used to treat diseases and conditions such as constipation, headaches (migraine or sinus induced), and asthma.

Hand reflexology is a popular and easy self-massage technique. A simple massage takes only about ten minutes and it does not require any special oil or lotion, unless you want it, but only thumb, finger, and hand massage movements. One should be familiar with a hand chart, which is a graphic display of how each part of the body is represented in both hands. Using this chart as a guide, you can focus the massage on specific problem areas.

hand-small-reflexology

By following a series of simple steps, an easy hand reflexology self-treatment can be performed. You should follow these steps first on the right hand, followed by the left.

  1. Sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet room, use relaxing music, pillows, incense or candles as you wish. Enter a state of relaxation using a bit of your favorite oil hands, if you like.
  2. Rub the cream on your hands for several minutes until completely absorbed. This will relax your hands and increase flexibility in preparation for applying reflexology. Be sure not to use a cream or oil greasy your hands are not slippery.
  3. Close your eyes and focus on any area of your body where you feel an uncomfortable pain. Sometimes you just feel as if some part of your body feel misaligned.
  4. Consult a hand reflexology map to identify the points of reflection in your hands that correspond to the parts of your body you want to work.
  5. Firmly press the reflex point you need to stimulate. You can gradually increase the pressure to make sure you’re “activating” the reflex, but loose a little if you feel some pain.
  6. Hold the pressure for 30 seconds and release. Wait a few seconds and repeat. You can press either 30 seconds or you can press and release the point of a pulsed for 30 seconds.
  7. Use your thumb to apply light pressure technique pressure if you are uncomfortable. To do this, use a circular motion over the same point of reflection for about 5 seconds, then rotates in a circular in the opposite direction for 5 seconds. Repeated several times for each point of reflection.
  8. Reflexology applies to all areas in both hands, but lend him more attention on problem areas.
  9. When you’ve finished your reflexology session sit quietly for at least 10 minutes. If possible, lie down and rest well for half an hour.
  10. Drink several glasses of water after applying reflexology. Water will help to drain the toxins released from your organs and muscles during the session.

 

 

 

Picture taken from: http://www.massageiraniyan.ir/fa/galleryfa/the-pictures/category/1-anatomy

UPDATE

Dear Abundy's supporters and friends, It is with sadness that I have to announce the temporarily closure of Abundy Studio due to unexpected circumstances. During this time you can stay tuned and read the Abundy blog, but all the treatments will be suspended until further notice. Hopefully we won't stay close for long! Thank you for your understanding and support. With Love and Gratitude.