body massage

Have you ever wondered what cupping therapy is? Keep reading to learn about this alternative therapy, including what to expect during treatment.

Have you ever been to a county fair or music festival and envied the chair massages of others? Have you ever passed by an airport chair massage section? Maybe you work for a company that provides regular 15- to 20 minute massages. Chair massages can be done on-site. You'll sit in a specially designed, portable chair while fully dressed. These massages usually include a massage to your neck, shoulders and back as well as your hands.

A growing body of medical research and ancient practices suggest that pressure points on the feet can be used to treat conditions in different parts of your body.

Your body's pressure points correspond to various parts of your mental and physical health. Here are five ways to use pressure points.

To increase the flow of energy along the sens, the practitioner will move your body into yoga-like positions in addition to pulling and rocking your body in various ways.

Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage may be therapeutic -- relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.

In several small studies involving patients with chronic headaches, researchers found that Thai massage reduced the intensity of both migraine and tension headaches.

What follows is a list of some of the more popular massage therapy styles. The first four are especially popular.

In Japanese, shiatsu means "finger pressure." Shiatsu massage is performed by a therapist using rhythmic pressure and varied pressure on specific areas of the body. These points are called Acupressure Points and are thought to be crucial for the flow or chi (vital energy) of the body. According to shiatsu massage proponents, these points can be relieved by using shiatsu massage.

The lymphatic system helps remove toxins, and improved circulation can help with a number of conditions, including:

Lymphatic drainage massage can be done at home. Or you can hire a professional. Before you do anything, consult your doctor.