Learning about Full Body Massage

Full body massage is the practice of manipulating the soft tissues of the body to relieve stress, help manage pain, improve blood circulation and to aid the body in healing an injury.

Manipulations used in full body massage include, but aren't limited to, soft pressure, hard pressure, slow movement, vigorous movement and stretching. Several techniques for doing full body massage have originated from ancient civilizations. However, many new body massage techniques have also been created in our present time.

Most full body massage techniques focus on muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and lymph nodes and a massage session begins with the patient laying face up or face down on a massage table or the floor.

In the past, full body massage became entangled with prostitution, causing its reputation to become sullied. Fortunately, in the present time, full body massage has been studied and recognized as a legitimate therapy that can aid the healing of the body and mind.

One of the most popular full body massage techniques is called the Swedish massage. Swedish massage began as percussion, or tapping, strokes used to heal an injury. This full body massage technique uses special movements or strokes such as:

• Effleurage - long, flowing or gliding strokes that are performed with open hands. This specialized stroke is usually done in the direction of the heart to increase circulation.
• Petrissage - a kneading movement performed with the whole palm or fingertips. Also includes skin rolling, compressing and lifting. The benefits of this movement are an increase in circulation, a decrease in muscle tension and a restoration of mobility.
• Friction - a continuous stroke that uses pressure. This stroke is performed with the flat of the hand, the pads of the fingers, the knuckles of the fingers or the back of the forearms. This movement works the deeper muscles.
• Tapotement - a rhythmic percussion movement performed with the edge of the palm or the heel of the hand. The main benefit of this movement is the release of cramped muscles.
• Vibration - a gentle shaking, or vibrating, of the flesh with the hand or fingertips. This movement releases muscle tension delicate areas like the face or spine.

Another popular full body massage technique is Shiatsu. Shiatsu massage originated in Japan and is made up of acupressure, stretching and Western massage. This full body massage technique focuses on pressure points and energy pathways know as meridians. The object of Shiatsu massage is to get the energy, or ki, flowing properly along the meridian lines and thereby healing the body of all ills.

Shiatsu full body massage is often used to treat nausea, reduce stress, boost the immune system, relieve chronic headaches and migraines and treat insomnia. This full body massage technique is considered holistic, which means it treats the whole person instead of a specific medical problem.