Followings are some of the benefits and joys which learning Shiatsu will bring to you:

1. In learning Shiatsu one learns more about one’s health, and how one can improve it, as well as how to remedy many common problems and help prevent future illness.

2. Shiatsu is such a simple way of healing, just using the hands, which we carry with us everywhere! So one can offer one’s healing help at almost any time and in any place. Practically everyone enjoys receiving Shiatsu and benefits from the deep relaxation and healing it brings.

3. In Shiatsu we heal with our caring touch. It is a way of communicating our love and compassion for others in a very direct way. Giving Shiatsu to one’s family and friends is a wonderful way of nourishing others and strengthening one’s relationships.

4. Giving Shiatsu is an uplifting experience. By the giving of our Energy, we receive more Energy. When Shiatsu is given in a calm, relaxed and compassionate way, the giver feels physically, mentally and spirtually uplifted and Energized. This contrasts with many activities which tire us by using up our Energy.

5. If you can, learn to give Shiatsu with a friend so that you can practise on each other. You will then receive shiatsu regularly, which is a great help in your learning of Shiatsu, and also means that you will receive its healing benefits.

6. If you enjoy giving Shiatsu you may well consider practising Shiatsu as a career. Since the introduction of Shiatsu to Britain in the 1970s, there are now schools in many parts of the country training people to give Shiatsu professionally. If you discover a strong attraction to this healing art, you may wish to continue to study Shiatsu to reach a professional level.

7. Shiatsu is a potent method of self-development. It has many similarities to some other Eastern methods of personal development such as aikido, tai chi, chi kung, yoga and meditation. In learning shiatsu one develops many inner qualities that are equally useful in the rest of one’s life. These include becoming more centred and grounded and able to stay calm and relaxed while busy or under pressure, of their health, moods and thoughts, calming of the mind and enhanced intuition.

You do not have to have any special abilities to be able to learn Shiatsu, and anyone can learn to sense Energy in time.

Is it alright to receive a massage while being pregnant? What about the baby? What about laying on my stomach, is this ok? Are there any risks involved in being pregnant and receiving a massage? Can any pregnant woman receive a full body massage? Theses questions are important when a woman is pregnant desiring some form of relief from: headaches, lower back pain, irritation in the joints, and the swelling of hands and feet.

Yes, it is alright for a woman who is pregnant to receive a massage, though she should seek professional guidance before she receives a full body massage. There are reasons, which will be discussed later in the article, for a woman who is pregnant not to engage in massage therapy; however the benefits of receiving massages are:

1. Reduced depression
2. Decreases swelling of hands and feet
3. Sounder sleep because you feel more relaxed as muscles have been gently rubbed removing knots and soothing cramping
4. Reduction in cramping because the muscles are brought back into balance
5. Depending on who is providing the service: an increase in love and union between couples, which Kelly Lott a Certified Pregnancy Massage Therapist said, “Touch is vital to the mother’s physical and emotional well-being as she adapts to her new body image.”
6. Muscles related to childbirth are relaxed and prepared more, thus increasing the likelihood of an easier delivery
7. Time, a good massage can be given in 10 minutes once or twice a week. It is a fallacy to think a good massage takes 30 minutes to an hour

A Pillow termed “Prego Pillows” have been introduced and developed for women who are pregnant. These pillows allow women to lay flat on their bellies without harming themselves or the baby, which keeps the mother’s back and body in perfect alignment enabling her to relax while she receives gentle touch. The word gentle is used purposely because it is suggested that if the muscles are rubbed to hard, than the massage will actually have an opposite affect annulling the reasons for receiving a massage in the first place.

Though any woman who is pregnant can receive a massage there are times when a massage therapist would recommend you receive a note from your doctor before receiving a massage: morning sickness, vomiting, contagious illness, heavy discharge (either water or blood), abdominal pain, high blood pressure, and diarrhea. Also should you have any skin rashes, open sores, bruises, inflammation, varicose veins, or any infections avoid massaging on or around these areas of your body. An article I read recently also suggested women who are in their first trimester should not seek a massage, because this is the time for her to be in harmony with the physical and emotional (hormonal) changes a woman goes through during this period of three months, or so.

Massage Therapy has its routes around 3000 B.C., however prenatal massages is just recently being discovered and researched. The University of Miami, School of Medicine is continuing to discover new benefits for prenatal massages. Women of all types are able to receive this comforting and relaxing method of therapeutic health. With new pillows “Prego Pillow” a woman is able to lye flat on her belly without disrupting the alignment of her back and injuring her baby. If you should have any symptoms mentioned above consult your doctor before engaging in a full body massage.

How Anyone Can Benefit from Massage Therapy.

Andrew is a Marriage, Family, and Human Development graduate who enjoys swing dancing, camping, fly-fishing, and other recreational sports which provide physical excercise and relaxation.

A condition that negatively influences a person’s memory and cognitive abilities, dementia affects millions of people in the United States. The most commonly known form of this condition is Alzheimer’s disease. Since there’s currently no known cure for dementia, many people are seeking out alternative therapies as a method of treatment. Massage therapy is one of these alternative therapies, and can greatly impact the life of someone suffering with dementia.

Dementia is a condition that involves memory loss, behavior, learning, and communication problems. These symptoms never truly improve, and slowly worsen over time. The most obvious aspect of massage therapy is touch. For dementia patients, this translates into much-needed attention and unspoken communication, especially benefiting those who may not be able to verbally communicate. With massage, the client may experience a reduction in stress and possibly less anxiety, as well as relief from pain. The benefits of massage therapy on people suffering with dementia are numerous.

Studies show that even simple and short massage sessions can have a tremendous effect on the quality of life for those suffering with severe dementia. If a full-body massage makes an older client uncomfortable, try opting for a gentle hand massage, or utilize essential oils to aid in relaxation.

It’s important to remember when working with dementia patients, usually the elderly, that they may have existing medical conditions or may be taking medications that are contraindicated with massage. Being aware of these health issues and being confident enough to work closely with your client’s physician will ensure the safety of the client.

Those suffering with dementia are aware that there is no medical treatment to cure their condition, making bodywork therapy a reasonable alternative. Learn how you can help improve the quality of life for a dementia patient by reading the entire article here.

This article was prepared for HomeStudyCredits.org. Learn more about massage therapy and massage therapy continuing education programs.

You are now a certified massage therapist and are ready to begin your new career. Now, you can take a job in an established location. There are many business that employ therapists such as private medical offices, studios, hospitals, nursing homes, fitness centers, sports medicine facilities, airports, and even shopping malls.

Or, you can become a self-employed massage therapist working out of your home, visiting other people’s homes (also known as house calls) or you can set up a contract and divide your time among several different settings, depending on the clients and locations scheduled.

Now, what supplies do you need? The most important piece of equipment you will ever use is the massage table. You might think that it is just a sturdy table, but there are many different types and styles that you may want to consider before purchasing your own.

Depending upon the type and style you want, there is a very large collection of different makes, models and styles. They range from light weight and portable to solid heavy ones that are able to change their height at the push of a button. There are even custom made ones that can be special orders from certain companies.

Consider purchasing a very versatile table that can be easily adaptable to many uses. If you are self employed, you will want to make sure that you can easily move it from the classroom, to the beach, or to a friend’s or client’s home. Other very important features in a portable table are that it should be very sturdy, have a washable surface and have some type of locking mechanism to keep the legs steady.

When purchasing your massage table, check into the warranty. You are getting a piece of equipment that you will need to perform your job and you want to make sure that it is going to last for a very long time. The warranties vary according to the different manufacturers and there are always some limitations. Also see if there is a return policy. If you discover that the table you thought would be perfect is not what you wanted, can you return it without penalty within a certain number of days? All important items to know and understand before you make your purchase.

Purchasing the wrong massage table can lead to your own physical aliments. If it is too awkward, too heavy, and not the right height, you can hurt yourself and then require medical attention or massages for yourself to get better. Know what your requirements are! Take the time during your medical training and practice sessions to see which tables you like and dislike and remember this.

Keep a list of all the important features you love in a massage table and make sure that when you purchase your very own that it is perfect for your requirements.

Now, go out and get the perfect massage table for your own use, line up clients and begin your new career. You will enjoy having the right tools to perform you job and your clients will be happy and content with their massages.

http://www.AboutMassages.com brings you the latest on massage. Massages are gaining in popularity, and we want to bring you up to date information! Be sure to check out our latest information page on massage table

In recent years because patients have been dissatisfied with current conventional methods of medical treatments, they have turned to contemporary forms of treatment to relieve back pain. One such form of contemporary treatment being used is Massage Therapy.

Massage Therapy, the art of human touch, has been around since the beginning of humankind. Couples, friends, and parents have always used human touch to console and ease the anxieties, or pain of loved ones. However, this art has become noticed by the medical world, and some doctors are recommending their patients to seek this alternative form of treatment when conventional methods are no longer aiding their patient’s recovery.

A question a Professional would propose to any person seeking this contemporary form of medical treatment, “Does Massage Therapy have any statistical significance in aiding back pain relief?” Case studies have been performed, and though they have not found any statistical significance relating to Massage Therapy and its affect on back pain, they have recognized that to some degree Massage Therapy has improved the physical symptoms of patients, and the quality of life they experience. In one case study, massage therapy was effective in relieving subacute and chronic back pain.

How many treatments does it take for a person to feel the benefits of Massage Therapy, you might ask? This depends strictly upon the individual requesting the service, their description of symptoms, and their massage professional. Some massage therapists will begin with an interview asking their client to describe their current physical symptoms, and organize a four week plan, with a visit a week, touching each area of tension. Other therapists may ask where it hurts, recognize which muscle is causing the discomfort, and proceed with the treatment and he/she is out in thirty minutes.

In conclusion, Massage Therapy, though not statistically significant, has been shown to reduce the level of pain in a person’s back, and when traditional medical treatments are no longer relieving the symptoms. Some medical professionals are advising their patients to seek avenues of alternative contemporary styles in reducing back pain. Massage Therapy is one treatment they are recommending.

For more information about Massage Therapy go to www.free-body-massage.info.

By Andrew Exon

www.free-body-massage.info.

Andrew is a Marriage, Family, and Human Development graduate who enjoys swing dancing, camping, fly-fishing, and other recreational sports which provide physical excercise and relaxation.

Trigger point therapy is actually a modality separate of massage, but can go hand in hand, in fact part of the massage therapists duty is to relieve tension which includes breaking up any kind of ‘knot’ or adhesion.

Trigger point therapy, when I first learned it, kind of hurt because the student therapists working on me were poking hard to find trigger points. Now that I know what they are and how they feel, I think trigger point therapy is one of the most amazing things.

I personally am a big guy, and have a very poor self patterning, that I do while I sleep, I usually lay on my side, with my shoulders in my ears. This and a few other common holding patterns that I carry, such as slouching and pulling towards the frontline of the body.

Everyone has their own holding patterns, which are almost 99% the cause of all pain in the muscles and some joints as well.

And yes they can even cause Migraines.

Trigger points to me, feel like, a little hard ball or tendon that you roll over when giving a massage, you can usually rub someone’s shoulder and feel a few of these.

Ever wonder what to do with these, once you find them? Maybe you haven’t, or maybe now you’re curious.

Either way, I’m about to tell you.

The way to treat these evil little buggers, is to apply ischemic pressure, which in short means take your thumb and push in on it for about 20 seconds.

Now you want to flush the toxins out, think of this like a pimple or zit. First you press or break up the pimple, then you drain, well to drain or flush out trigger points you need to move in a circular motion in the direction of the heart.

In a nutshell that’s the whole basis for trigger point of course whole huge books have been written on the subject, but I like it simple.

Another side note in case you’re wondering what a trigger point really is, there’s a couple theories on what causes it, but the gist is that its just an area that’s had some trauma, to it, either from an accident or a holding pattern of some kind.

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Patrick Curl is a Massage Enthusiast and owner of http://www.aboutbodywork.com

Where Massage Enthusiasts Meet. Drop on over for your chance at winning a

FREE Massage from a therapist in your area.

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This article is about Reaching your heart through the feet -
and reaching the brain, sinus cavities, glands, stomach, spinal
column, reproductive system, etc…

The human body is an amazing work, it never ceases to amaze me,
as a Massage therapist I learn new and wonderful things about it
almost daily it seams.

Reflexology is an ancient healing art, that was lost for awhile and the

re-discovered.

In short we have areas on our feet that correspond with every area on our

body, we also have these points on our hands and to some extent on our ears.

The method we use to practice is as follows:

First we do some really yummy releasing exercises, Reflexology is primarily

gentle touch, which is really the only way to send the signals from our feet upto

our body is to do it when our feet are relaxed and more alert.

There are two major methods of performing reflexology, there is finger walking (where
your thumb or forefinger walk along different patterns on the foot, but it looks
and feels more like it’s trying to wiggle like a worm, it takes some practice to
accomplish, but isn’t too hard.) Then there is hooking in and pulling back, where
you kind of hook your thumb into a point and scoot it down a little towards the
heel.

Another quasi-stroke I find that works well also is if you find a point that’s really
congested, you can rotate counter clockwise, in essence it will feel like you’re sending
the congestion back up into the body, and for really lose or lack of congestion you can
pull energy down to that spot by rotating clockwise - you can recognize by the way it
feels - it usually feels hard and/or may have some urine crystals in(bet you didn’t know
that uric acid settles in the foot and when you feel little crunchy things in someone’s feet
it’s really these crystals)

Of course to practice I would get a good chart of the points on the feet, and also some books for further reading, as there’s a lot more you can learn about reflexology
this is just a starting point.

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Patrick Curl is a Massage Enthusiast and owner of http://www.aboutbodywork.com

Where Massage Enthusiasts Meet. Drop on over for your chance at winning a

FREE Massage from a therapist in your area.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Part I of this article, I discussed the many features you should consider when buying a massage chair, as well as the durability aspect of your new massage chair. Let’s get on with the remaining 7 “Absolute Musts” to consider when looking into a new massage chair recliner.

#3. Ease of Repair – because of the weight and bulk of a massage chair, simple repairs become a real bother when you have to ship an entire chair back to the manufacturer just to repair something as simple as a tear in the material. For this reason, I suggest looking into a chair that is constructed with a modular design. This makes repair cheap and easy. If a part is broken or material is torn, the modular design will allow you to isolate the damaged part and send it off for repair so much easier and cheaper than sending off the whole chair.

#4. Customer Service – As far as I am concerned, this is probably the most important thing of all. If something does happen to your chair or if you are concerned about any function of your chair, it is so great to have a company that is always available to answer your questions. This puts your mind at ease and you can’t put a price on that. So, make sure that whatever chair you buy has a good company backing it up. Whether that is the manufacturer, the seller, or both…you want peace of mind right from the start of your relationship with them.

#5. Price – Even the cheapest massage chair still costs hundreds of dollars, at a minimum…they are not cheap. You will need to invest quite a bit of money to get a new chair you can count on. Prices, however, do not need to be sky-high. Depending on the features you want and/or need, prices can range anywhere from $1000 - $6000. Quite a spread, isn’t it? Well, you can get a chair with all the necessary massage therapy features for between $2000 - $3000. If you want real leather vs. man-made leather, an MP3 player, a USB port, or headphones, etc., of course you will pay for those extras. But for the basic features of massage therapy, you do not need to overspend. By the way, when you compare the price of your chair to regular visits to a massage therapist or chiropractor, over time the price of the massage chair is far less than what you’d pay out for all those therapy visits.

#6. Money Back Guarantee – Does your retailer back up the sale of your new massage chair with at least a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee? If not, then you need to be a little skeptical. This is a red flag. This goes back to customer service (#4). They MUST stand behind their product. How else can you feel good about your purchase if it’s not backed up by the seller? Some companies even offer 60 or 90 day money back guarantees!

By the way, it is standard policy for virtually every massage chair retailer/distributor that you are responsible for shipping and freight back to the seller if you do decide to return your chair. Shipping, by the way, can cost anywhere from $150-$400.00…it isn’t cheap!

#7. Adjustable to Different Body Sizes - I have seen some chair companies that offer “sizing” for a chair. With some product lines that may be necessary, but with a well-manufactured chair, height and width adjustments are standard and can cater to virtually every body type. Some chairs now even come with a detached ottoman so that the chair can cater to a 6’10” person as well as a 5’4” person.

Most chairs will handle up to 300 pounds of body weight. If you are buying your new massage recliner for a very heavy person, make sure that you get the maximum weight allowance for the chair you are interested in.

#8. Remote Control – Virtually every new massage recliner comes with a remote control of some sort to make chair adjustments. Some remotes come with large and fancy displays, but as long as it adjusts the features of the chair, it doesn’t really matter how large or small it is or how high-tech it looks.

#9. Appearance - this might sound goofy or vain, but I want my chair to blend in comfortably and seamlessly with the room décor of my home or office. Don’t compromise on looks for price! You’re going to have to look at that chair everyday for as long as you’ve got it. You don’t want to be sitting in a chair you think is so ugly that it creates stress. Especially when you are using your new massage recliner for stress relief!

#10. Satisfied Customers - A salesperson will tell you everything you want to hear to get you into his/her chair. What do real and actual clients think about the massage chair you are considering? Are their testimonials for you to hear or read? If you ask him for a list of some folks who have purchased their chair and you get no response…run! I will trust another buyer, just like me, before I’ll trust someone trying to sell something to me. Testimonials should be on every seller’s website or literature.

Now you have 10 things that should help you make a more educated buying decision when considering your new massage chair.

Dr. Alan Weidner is the owner of
http://www.massage-chair-relief.com, a website dedicated to the education
and sale of massage chairs by Panasonic, Sanyo, Omega, and Interactive
Health. He graduated summa cum laude from Southern California University
of Health Sciences in 1991.

There are many advantages and benefits to receiving massage therapy. For many years, it has been used to help heal the body, ease certain medical conditions, and help prevent others from occurring. Because of this, it is seen as an important, well-respected profession used by many people on a daily basis.

Whether you make an appointment with a massage therapist for medical reasons, or would like to relax and relieve stress, there is a type of massage that can help you. Massage therapists are trained individuals who have a good understanding of the human body and how it works. They know all the bones and muscles, and how to properly relieve tension and release certain chemicals that help rejuvenate the body. That is why it is taken very seriously, and should always be treated this way. To some, however, massage therapy is seen as a form of entertainment.

This has been the source of some debate in the industry. Because some see massage therapy as an option of a more personal nature, it is often assumed that a massage therapist may provide it for this reason. That is rarely ever the case, as actual therapists are there to serve the community by provided a much needed and sought after service that helps many people on a daily basis. The therapist is there to give a massage, so if a client is there for any other reason than to receive one, he or she may want to consider looking elsewhere for this preferred form of entertainment.

There are several ways to handles such situations if they do occur. If a session is perceived as anything but professional, many massage therapists will choose to immediately terminate the session. This is because it is often clearly stated up front that the massage is for reasons of relief and relaxation, and should only be construed as such. If the company does not advertise otherwise, it is good to assume this is the case. Sometimes a bit of clarification will help the situation and set customers straight on what services are and aren’t offered. Though the debate remains, the end result is very clear. The purpose of massage therapy is just that, to provide therapy to those requesting that particular service. It is a profession that is not meant for entertainment, and should never become uncomfortable for either the therapist or the client.

Allure Health Studio offers Toronto erotic massages catering to the massage needs of men with intimacy and discretion.
http://www.alluremassage.ca/

Health benefits derived from massage chairs.

Daily massages from massage chairs will benefit your muscular system, circulatory system, nervous system, skeletal system and respiratory system. It is truly an investment in your health and will reduce your medical expenses over the years.

Muscular System Benefits from a Massage.
• Successfully relaxes your muscles to reduce cramps, spasms and overall tension
• Reduces soft tissue and muscle pain
• Increase body’s flexibility due to more hydration in the muscles
• Increase nutrients to the muscles
• Break down knots and fibrosis
• Quickens muscle recovery due to fatigue.
• Helps prevent atrophy
• Increase blood circulation to the muscles

Circulatory System Benefits from a Massage.
• Improves blood circulation which promotes tissue healing.
• Improves your immune system.
• Lowers blood pressure and reduces pulse
• Increase red blood cells in circulatory system
• Reduces swelling by increasing tissue fluid and lymphatic circulation

Nervous System Benefits from a Massage.
• Balance the autonomic nervous system which control cardiovascular, digestive and respiratory functions
• Release natural painkillers in body
• Reduce muscle soreness
• Relieve tension in the muscles
• Stimulates receptors of the skin and underlying tissue
• Increasing lymphatic circulation clears toxins and eliminates waste products.

Skeletal System Benefits from Massage.
• Increases range of movement in your joints.
• Reduces joint strains and increases the ease of movement
• Increases the retention of harmful chemicals in the bones
Respiratory System Benefits from Massage
• Increases blood flow to and from the lungs

• Normalizes breathing patterns on the breathing structures. (Rib cage and respiratory muscles)

So whether you want a massage to ease your mind or to revitalize your body, you will receive the best of both worlds. Do your body a favor and buy a massage chair today! No one has time to go see a masseuse every day; why not buy a massage chair as your own “personal masseuse” and have the availability of a massage whenever you please.

Willa Olivier (LSW) is a successful, passionate owner of Your Back Relief. Her expertise is to teach customers to maintain a healthy life. To learn more you can visit http://www.yourbackrelief.com