Basics of Massage

Friction is reduced by oil, or lacking that baby powder. Some practitioners claim benefits from vegetable rather than mineral oil while
others disagree.
Swedish massage can relax muscles, increase circulation, remove metabolic waste products, help the recipient obtain a feeling of connectedness, a better
awareness of their body and the way they use and position it.

The strokes and manipulations of Swedish Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit. One of the primary goals of Swedish Massage is to speed venous return from the extremities. Swedish
Massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissue
of lactic acid, uric acid and other metabolic wastes. It improves circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and
tendons, keeping them supple. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and
nervous system while at the same time relaxing the nerves themselves. As
it can help reduce emotional and physical stress it is often recommended as
part of a regular programme for stress management. It also has specific
clinical uses in a medical or remedial therapy.

Reflexology is based on the belief that there are places on the
feet (and hands) that correspond to parts of the body, e.g. internal organs
and joints. Manipulating those parts of the feet (or hands) can have
direct effects on corresponding parts of the body. Some proponents claim
the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses of these organs by appropriate
reflexological treatment.

I haven't seen a convincing explanation of why this is supposed to
work but many people cite Reflexology as an excellent technique for
holistic assessment and adjunct to other therapies. Although Reflexology
is often discussed as part of Zone Therapy this isn't completely accurate.
The archive contains some discussion and references to books about
Reflexology.

According to Reflexology teacher Terry Norman :
a currently accepted theory in the West is that Reflexology works
by way of the neuro-reflex points found in the feet & hands. When
organs don't function normally the neural signals along the
network change patterns. Such changes can be detected and
monitored through the reflex points. Chemistry at these points
sometimes changes as well -- hard painful spots (said to be uric
acid crystals) may form at points that relate to the organ, or
area of the body, to which the reflex point corresponds.
Occasionally, when rubbing or pressing firmly on these spots you
can feel them "pop" or burst apart -- they feel grainy or gritty
like sand or sugar. After the spots disappear, the area begins to
become less tender and the organ to which the reflex point relates
also functions better.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the points on the hands
& feet correspond to the channels & collaterals. TCM has charts
dating back thousands of years illustrating the same points on
these areas as modern day Foot & Hand Reflexology charts. I
believe that the "true" system is some convergence of both
systems. Although, I think that what has been called
"Reflexology", or "Zone Therapy" is nothing more than a
re-discovering of the wheel you might say.

Pressure is applied to trigger points, for a short time (between
about 7 to 10 seconds per point), which can be momentarily painful but is
greatly relieving. It is common to hit the same trigger points several
times during a session, but you won't be leaning into a sore spot for
several minutes. Often ice or another cooling agent is used to reduce
nervous system response, making the area easier and more comfortable to
work. Then the muscles are gently stretched to complete the relaxation
process, hence the name `spray and stretch'. Myotherapy aims to erase pain
and soothe tightened muscles. People with acute or chronic muscle tension
and the associated pain are likely to benefit greatly from this type of
treatment.

The following subsection, about Reiki, is based on a text provided by
Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master Brian M. Carter.

In English, the Japanese word `Reiki' refers to the teachings of Usui
Shiki Ryoho, translated as the `Usui Method of Natural (or Drugless)
Healing'. The Method has been known in Japan since the late 1860s. It was
brought to U.S.A. in the 1930s and, although it has no Christian roots, it
is certainly not a so-called New Age concoction.

It is based on the same energetic principles as acupuncture, t'ai chi
chuan and chi kung. But Reiki is neither invasive, as is acupuncture, nor
does it require physical agility and effort to gain benefits, as do t'ai
chi and chi kung.

According to Usui Shiki Ryoho Reiki Master Brian M. Carter: `this
adjunct to competent medical care is definitely based on a traditional
Oriental model of bodily healing, because it assumes the presence of an
imbalance of an energetic nature that is manifesting in the physical body
as stress, or, in more serious cases, as a life-threatening disease one may
be facing. As Reiki practitioners, we have learned that, in many cases, we
can help persons with such illnesses to remove these unseen causes and
replace them with robust energy that will have a definite, noticeable,
beneficial physical effect.'

There are two principal aspects of Reiki practice. As one
successfully builds a strong practice of Reiki, one also learns how to
convey this ki energy to others who need it. One aspect is called practice
`for oneself', which is emphasized in First Degree Reiki practice. The
other is called practice `for others' and is emphasized in Second Degree
and Master level practices.

For most daily stress, tension, minor illness, trauma, etc., First
Degree Reiki practice is very effective. For life-threatening illness --
in which severe physical manifestations have already materialized
(e.g. cancer and AIDS) and congenital diseases (e.g. cystic fibrosis and
muscular dystrophy) it is often very difficult for a person to effectively
practice `for oneself' therefore help from a more advanced Reiki
practitioner is often required for the best results. Second Degree and
Reiki Master level practitioners have acquired considerable ability in
directing and focusing ki energy through practice and study with persons
with severe illness. Such practitioners will have specific, advanced
techniques with which to help the ill person.