The Basics of Japanese Massage

Over the years many different schools of massage have developed, each one displaying a variety of techniques to help people to relax, feel better, and live healthier. At the same time, an interest in medical techniques and theories from Asia has developed in the United States. Because of this, people are giving Chinese and Japanese massage techniques a try. Japanese massage incorporates theories about pressure points and the way energy flows through the body, and uses these ideas along with massage techniques in a philosophy of preventative medicine.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is perhaps one of the newest forms of Japanese massage, originating in the early 1900s and born out of older techniques. While other massage techniques might use the forearms, elbows, and even the feet to accomplish various healing and relaxing motions on a patient, Shiatsu massage involves techniques using only the fingers and the palm of the hand.

A skilled practitioner of Shiatsu massage can not only relax someone, but can use his sense of touch to explore a person\'s body and find the points that need treatment the most. Like many Japanese massage and medical techniques, the theory behind Shiatsu massage is to help stimulate the body\'s natural immune response and ability to relax as a means of preventative medicine.

Nihon Kaifuku Anma

Shiatsu is actually a subset of a larger range of Japanese massage techniques known as Nihon Kaifuku Anma. This form of massage came to Japan over 1300 years ago, and had already been practiced in China for years prior to this.

This Japanese massage school works with deep tissue massage that is based on kneading motions. Unlike Western massage techniques, this Japanese massage technique is performed without the use of massage oils to reduce friction. Two techniques are unique to Anma, and these include kneading the body and the use of percussive techniques, which work by gently striking areas of the body.

The theory behind Anma massage is that the body\'s energy flows along particular pathways, and stimulating certain areas will influence the workings of the body\'s organs, leading to greater overall health. These concepts are similar to those used in acupuncture and other Eastern medicines. The purpose of Japanese massage is to help improve the way the body functions before problems show up, not after. This is a common feature in Japanese massage, whether the techniques originated thousands of years ago or merely one hundred years ago. If you want to try preventative medicine with a long history of success and many devotees, give Japanese massage a try.

Author

Ann Marier a prolific writer has written many informative articles on many health resources. Her latest articles are about the health benefits of massage and saunas\r
http://www.massageandsaunas.ultimatehealthinfo.com\r
http://www.ultimatehealthinfo.com\r
http://www.4houseandgarden.com

Shiatsu Massage Therapy - Shiatsu Techniques
When my friend Iolanda recently became a Shiatsu massage therapist, after having trained extensively for several years and passed all her exams, I bec...

Looking For Shiatsu Massage Therapy
Shiatsu massage therapy is a great thing for those of us looking for alternative healing methods. Many of us have aches and pains and do not know how...

Asian Massage Therapy
There are several forms of ancient Asian massage still being practiced in the world today. Asian massage techniques are ancient healing rituals devel...

What Is a Shiatsu Massage Chair?
A shiatsu massage chair is an electric massage chair that uses ball type, roller mechanisms to simulate an actual shiatsu massage. To understand how ...

Get a Pampering Massage to Lose Your Stress
Ongoing stress is a recipe for disaster that can impact your ability to follow your daily routine. Once your body has reached its limit, you are more ...

Incall Massage Versus Outcall Massage
In my San Antonio Massage and Bodywork practice I frequently receive calls from prospective clients who are unclear about the differences between inca...

A Comfortable Massage Chair for Your Hectic Lifestyle
The long and hectic lifestyles of today's people has lead to the great popularity in massage chairs. With the long working hours, long commute times a...

The Benefits Of Deep Tissue Massage
In the world of massage there exists a variety of styles everything from Swedish massage to Lymphatic massage, all tailored to produce very specific ...

How to Practic Tantric Massage
Tantric massage: if the name if this treatment makes you think of something enjoyable, your thinking is correct. Often, massage is given as a medical ...

Hot Stone Massage
In the entire history of massage therapy there has been a great deal of discussion about what type of massage is the most relaxing, therapeutic, or ju...

What Is Water Jet Massage?
When you use a water jet massage machine it will feel like having all parts of your body massaged at the same time. The computer effect of this type o...

5 Tips On Buying A Robotic Massage Chair
Deciding to buy a robotic massage chair could be the best decision you ever made, however, many make the mistake of buying a chair that isn't right fo...

The Benefits of a Sports Massage
Sports massage is a specialized type of massage therapy used before, during and after athletic events. The purpose of this type of massage is to help ...

Massage Therapist Schools
If you intend to become a registered massage therapist, you must graduate from an accredited massage therapist school. Here you will learn the fundame...

How to Become a Massage Therapist
If you are searching for a career and like working with people, massage therapy may be right for you. There are many ways you can find out how to beco...

This entry has been filed under Massaging and currently has