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Sharon Hopkins's Articles in Massage Therapy

  • Tui Na Massage
    What is Tui Na Massage

    Tui Na massage therapy is an ancient form of Chinese massage therapy that has its origins in the Shang Dynasty of China in 1700 BC. It is still taught in Chinese Medical Colleges as a traditional therapy.

    Tui Na is based on the traditional Chinese medical principle of the flow of Qi, or the ‘life force’ through the energy meridians of the body. It seeks to promote a more effective flow of Qi throughout the body by using massage and manipulation te...
  • Thai Massage
    What is Thai Massage

    Thai massage is a traditional form of massage therapy that has been used in Thailand for centuries. In Thailand, it is called “Nuad Phaen Boran” which means ‘ancient massage’. It is based on the Indian medical system of Ayurveda and incorporates many ancient Indian Yogic techniques.

    How does Thai Massage work

    Thai massage combines elements of Shiatsu, Yoga, and acupressure. It aims to clear blockages in the energy meridians of the body by applyin...
  • Strain - Counter Strain
    What is Strain - Counter Strain

    Strain - Counter Strain is a manual massage technique for relieving musculoskeletal spasms and pain. It is also known as Positional Release. This technique was developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones, an osteopathic doctor in 1981. It is a gentle and safe technique that relieves spinal or other joint pain by passively shortening the affected muscle areas.

    How does Strain - Counter Strain work

    Our bodies are not designed to function optimally i...
  • Watsu Massage
    What is Watsu Massage

    Watsu and its associated techniques were developed in the early 1980s by Harold Dull, director of the Harbin School of Shiatsu and Massage, in California. Watsu is an aquatic massage therapy that incorporates the principles of Zen Shiatsu and adapts them for effective use in warm water. It combines elements of massage, joint mobilization, shiatsu, muscle stretching and dance in warm water to correct ailments and promote healing. The name Watsu is deri...
  • Face And Head Massage
    What is Face and Head Massage

    The face represents the person and a healthy face reinstates a healthy mind and body. Though adequate attention is given to face care many massage therapists feel believe that the face is one of the most neglected areas of the body. The reason being attention is given only at the surface level. Whereas the fact remains that the fifteen odd muscles on the face accumulate tension as we keep our natural fixed expressions and the pollution and air...
  • Abdomen Massage
    What is Abdomen Massage?

    The abdomen houses vital organs and is a very important part of the body. The abdominal cavity comprises of the stomach, diaphragm, colon, small intestine, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder. The health of the abdomen lies with the stomach, the digestion process and reproductive organs.

    The peristaltic waves of the alimentary canal (The muscular contractions of the alimentary canal in wave like fashion move contents toward the opening) begin in ...
  • Chest Massage
    What is Chest Massage?

    A chest massage is very beneficial in relieving congested chests when the drainage points in the circulatory system tend to be very active during certain acute illnesses such as influenza or during menstruation among women. A chest massage is also rendered to infants to relieve congestion due to excess mucous accumulation.

    Weakening lungs, palpitation and heart disorders can also be minimized through a chest massage. Emotional stress may cause co...
  • Sports Massage Therapy
    What is Sports Massage Therapy

    An athlete, before a performance, is under immense stress emotionally and physically and the body is also prone to injuries. Practices before the event lead to constant build-up of tension in the muscles and cause stress on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves. Apart from muscle tension, the athlete is also bogged down with fatigue and injuries which may hamper the main performance. Sports massage is the answer to em...
  • Neck And Shoulder Massage
    What is Neck and Shoulder Massage

    The neck and the back are the most common areas of the body that are prone to stiffness and accumulated tension. Continuous build up of stress and tension in the neck and shoulder region lead to stiff necks, aching shoulders and headaches .Desk jobs, long working hours and incorrect sitting position may all add to a discomforting neck and shoulder.

    A Neck and shoulder massage is primarily done to relieve the tension and stress around t...
  • On-site Massage
    What is On-site massage

    On-site massage is a relaxing massage therapy specifically designed for the work place. Though this therapy originated quite recently in the Silicone Valley, USA, it is based on the principles of an ancient Japanese massage technique called “Anma”. The popularity of on-site massage in the corporate sector has been steadily growing in the recent years. This invigorating massage therapy totally de-stresses the body and refreshes the mind with a minimu...
  • Myofascial Release
    What is Myofascial Release?
    The word Myofascial is derived from the Latin words "myo" meaning muscle, and "fascia" which means band. This term was coined by Dr. Janet G. Travell in the 1940’s. Myofascial Release is a form of massage therapy that is used for stretching the fascia and releasing blockages between the fascia, integument, muscles and bones. Myofascial Release therapy helps to eliminate pain, increase the range of motion and balance the body.

    How does Myofascia...
  • Swedish Massage
    Ever since the Swedish doctor Per Henrik Ling invented the concept of Swedish massage sometime in the 1700s, the world has never looked at relaxation the same way again. It is not as if various forms of massage did not exist up to that point – they did. However, nothing could come close to these techniques, which were specifically formulated to detoxify body tissues and boost the overall oxygen content in the blood. All the while the masseur’s subject has a real good time aro...
  • Lomi Lomi
    What is Lomi Lomi?

    The word Lomi Lomi means massage. Lomi Lomi is based on the healing practices of the ancient Polynesians. It was popularized by Auntie Margaret Machado, a respected Hawaiian healer, in 1973. Lomi Lomi is a unique healing massage that is used to transform and balance all aspects of the self to create harmony and flow in a person’s being.

    How does Lomi Lomi work?

    Lomi Lomi is based on the Hawaiian philosophy of Huna. A fundamental assumption of Hun...
  • Lastone Therapy
    What is LaStone Therapy?
    The application of hot and cold stones to the body as a therapeutic massage has been a part of many ancient cultures. This technique was further developed by Mary Nelson of Tucson, Arizona in 1993. She incorporated the traditional healing practices of Native Americans along with Zen philosophies and the cultural traditions of East Polynesia into this modern version of stone massage therapy which is called LaStone therapy.

    How does LaStone Therapy...
  • Esalen Tissue Work | Esalen Massage Therapy
    What is it?

    The development of Esalen tissue work is credited to Charlotte Selver and Bernie Gunther. It is so called because it was developed in Big Sur, California, which was once home to a Native American tribe known as the Esalen.

    Esalen tissue work or Esalen Massage Therapy is a style of massage therapy that combines the classical techniques of Swedish massage, with strokes specifically designed to target the muscles and the circulatory system. It also borrows fro...
  • Deep Connective Tissue Massage
    What is it?

    The development of deep connective tissue massage therapy is credited to the German, Elizabeth Dicke. She had a medical condition in her legs that caused them to stay cold and discolored, and develop gangrene. One day while doing stretches in her lower back, she noticed warmth and a tingling sensation in her legs. When she continued the stretches, her legs gradually improved over time. She began to develop a massage technique based on her observations with two...
  • Acupressure - An Introduction
    Acupressure is a type of bodywork that involves pressing specific points on the body with finger, knuckles and palms to relieve pain, reduce stress and to promote good health. It is a 5000 years old Chinese healing method used to cure many common problems. Traditional Chinese medicines view health as the constantly changing flow of vital energy throughout the body. If that flow is affected, it causes illness.

    The goal of acupressure is to release the blocked energy and to...
  • Alexander Technique
    The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change habits or movements in everyday activities. F. Matthias Alexander was an Australian who is accredited with inventing this therapy. He originally developed the Alexander Technique as a method of vocal training for singers and actors in the 1890s.

    It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of ...
  • Deep Muscle Therapy
    Deep Muscle Therapy defines itself as a means through which the therapist would stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems to promote cellular repair while wading off the hazardous toxins. The toxins that are accumulated and of no designated use in the body form the toxic fluids and they in turn harm the body with their potential toxins. Deep muscle therapy is a very successful form of remedial massage that, as the name suggests works into the deeper levels of muscles. I...
  • Aromatherapy Massage
    Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils. An essential oil is an aromatic essence distilled from a single botanical source. Essential oils have many different effects on the body, mind, and soul. Some have an analgesic and antispasmodic effect, while most are antibacterial. Essential oils can be sedative or stimulating and can aid in skin care and wound healing. There are many different ways of using essential oils therapeutically – baths and saunas, foot baths, ...
  • Acupressure - Is More Than Just Massaging
    Acupressure is one the oldest Chinese traditions used to cure many of our health problems. It involves use of pressure by your hand, elbow and other means. This form of healing has been in existence for more than 5,000 years. A technique recommended by many and has been used world over. It is a simple method if you know how to do it. Acupuncture is another practice wherein needles are used on the pressure points to cure ailments.

    How does Acupressure work?

    Acupressure ...
  • Body Oil Massage - For Smooth Skin
    Like our face our body too has to be properly nourished and for that we need to engage ourselves in some of the beneficial activities like massaging which would be very useful for our body. Many are not aware about the importance and beneficial properties these body oils provide. Once you start using the oils there won’t be any turning back. Hop along with thousand others who have benefited from these oils. In the meanwhile, you can gain some therapeutic uses of these oils.
    ...
  • Apricot Kernel Oil
    World over people use massage therapy to help promote healthy skin, nourish and strengthen the body, relieve stress, reduce pain, and encourage balance and well being. Massage opens and increases the flow of energy, balancing the entire nervous system and helping to release physical and emotional disharmony. The many benefits of massage are enhanced by the use of high quality massage oil.

    Apricot tree is the member of the rose family originating from Central and East Asia....
  • Massage Your Head The Indian Way
    Massage, a revered form of healing is in practice since decades. Touch which is a vitally important to human well being takes the form of skilled and sensitive massage. Beside relaxing and revitalizing an ailing or tired body, it communicates warmth, reassurance and a sense of self worth. Massage is an ideal way to ease anxiety, worries and soothe tight muscles resulting from tension and stress. There are many kinds, variations, styles and sequences of massage, influenced by ...
  • Massaging The Upper Body
    In practice since ancient times, massage is a relaxing experience of hand strokes on the body to rejuvenate the mind and body and eliminate stress. Using hands and fingers, the therapist alleviates any kind of muscular pains and discomforts and relaxes the muscles.

    Stress related areas in the upper body are shoulder and neck area. Do not massage the front of the neck area around the throat as it is the most delicate of all.

    When the person is lying down, massaging the...

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