Chinese Therapeutic Massage

Combining Chinese Therapeutic Massage with traditional Chinese acupuncture and herbal medicine has greater benefits. Massage can enhance and speed up the action of herbal remedies, our hands can detect a wealth of diagnostic information and touch adds a deeply compassionate level to the act of healing. Furthermore the liniments, oils etc used in massage provide an additional channel for herbs to work.

Chinese massage, the subject of this article is a sophisticated ancient but living tradition rooted in Yin-Yang, five elements, qi-blood-fluid etc with a unique power to heal disease rather than simply relax the body and relieve tension.

Chinese massage is closely related to acupuncture in its use of the meridian system and is considered to be effective for a similar range of health problems. However it should not be seen as a poor relation to acupuncture. It is an effective and comprehensive therapy and is regarded alongside herbs, diet, Qi gong and one of the fundamental arts of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Thousands of years practicing has made Tuina's extraordinary ability to treat chronic pain, Chinese sources list over 140 medical conditions which respond well. These include not only musculoskeletal problems but many internal diseases. For example in treating abdominal and digestive problems related to Spleen emptiness or Liver stagnation, abdominal Tuina given in combination with acupuncture or herbs to make a crucial difference to the patient's improvement.

Foot Reflexology

Foot reflexology is a simple, non-invasive method to help balance the body. It has been described as a natural therapy that requires the application of a specific type of pressure on particular areas of the feet. It is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet which correspond to every part of the body. Reflexology serves to relax, improve circulation and promote a general feeling of wellness. Reflexology has been practiced for thousands of years in such places as China, Egypt, and India. In North America, it was Dr. William Fitzgerald, an ear, nose and throat specialist, who first introduced 'zone therapy' around the early 1900s.

His ideas were advanced by Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist, who developed techniques and a body map of the foot, which later became known as reflexology. Today, reflexology is increasingly becoming a popular form of natural therapy as it provides numerous benefits, particularly one of profound relaxation. Foot reflexology quite simply refers to the reflexes that have been mapped out in the foot. There are many different foot reflexology charts that show where the reflexes are for every part of the body. Reflexology is different than massage. It is thought that reflexology works through nerve endings whereas massage is applied to the muscles and soft tissue of the body. The actual technique is quite unique as it is meant to affect the reflex and not just the surface of the skin. A treatment should not be painful, though there may be uncomfortable or tender areas if your body is highly stressed. The more one applies pressure to those areas, the less tender they will become.

     • relaxation and stress management.
     • can aid in the relief of aches, pains and tension.
     • can aid digestive and elimination difficulties.
     • can help improve sleep patterns.
     • can increase mental and physical well being.

Swedish Relaxation Massage

Swedish massage is a massage technique that works on cleansing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other bodily wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them flexible and pliable. This technique also stimulates the skin and nervous system and calms the nerves themselves at the same time. Swedish massage is very effective in reducing stress, both emotional and physical.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and facial.