Real Relaxation by Konstantin Koss

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Last post in this series: The Swedish Massage

Since last time I blogged in-depth about the classical western massage, let’s have a look at the most popular eastern massage technique:

The Thai Massage.

First of all: The western stereotype of the thai massage being this torturing method of stretching and bending all joints you have in your body … is actually true!

But don’t worry, the result of letting yourself be tortured a little feels incredibly relaxing.

Thai Massage in General

In contrast to the western massage techniques that specificly focus on manipulating and kneading the muscle tissue to release myogelosis, the thai massage is more of a compilation of physiotherapeutic practices,

such as …

• Trigger Point Treatments
• Myofascial Techniques
• Neuro Muscular Therapy
• Manual Therapy

Further the thai massage, which emerged from the ayurvedic medicine, also blends those physiotherapeutic techniques with concepts mainly known from TCM (Tradicional Chinese Medicine) such as working with and cleansing the body’s energy lines and manipulation of the chi.

The Purpose

All of those different blended techniques follow the overall purpose of

• providing a deep relaxation
• balancing the body’s energy centers
• healthy blood circulation
• activation of the body’s energy lines (”Sen”)

People who experienced a thai massage often report something along the lines of:

• Feeling the deepest relaxation of their lives
• Being totally centered
• Experiencing a blissful state

Which leads us to …

The Benefits

Apart from the obvious benefits of the above statements, thai massage therapy …

• extends awareness from the head to the whole body
• releases chronic tensions in all areas
• improves posture
• increases range of movement
• improves sleep
• increases vitality
• lifts your mood
• helps you to work better under pressure
• helps stress relief
• improves your mental and physical performance.

(Thanks for most of the above list to the Thai Massage Organisation)

The Technique

There are many things that differentiate the thai massage from most well-known western massage techniques.

Mainly …

• Thai massage techniques can be very time-consuming. A typical thai massage is much longer than a “regular” western massage, lasting up to three hours.
• This massage is done with the client lying down on a mat, not on a massage table. You will understand why once you see a thai massage done.
• Thai Massage involves the passive stretching of various body parts. This means the client completely lets loose and the therapist brings his or her body in a stretching position.
• A main ingredient of the thai massage is pressing certain pressure points on the feet of the client to stimulate other parts of the body. This is commonly called Reflexology.
• Next to the usual kneading of the muscles, the therapist also uses his or her body weight to apply pressure along the meridians / sen and thus stimulating these pressure points

Again, the best way to learn this technique for yourself is to see it in action and not only reading about it. Check out this video series on how to do a thai massage.

Additional Info

• Learn Thai Massage With The Experts In Thailand

- Anybody who has undergone a Thai massage gets heart-stuck to it. Like Thai food, visitors also get addicted to Thai massage. It is so popular that most towns have at least one massage parlor. Massage is an integral part of Thai culture, …

• Rejuvenation Thai Massage Training

- Thai Massage sequence like never seen before. Be amazed at how Thai Massage helps increase and maintain joint function. Thai Massage provides greater potential in athletic skill, prepares tissue for activity, and much more. …

• Thai Massage / American Style (Part 1)

- Always ask for a doctor’s permission before massaging any person with an aliment, pain or disease that you have questions about.

• Learn Thai Lesson 9: Getting a Thai Massage

- Thailand is reknown for the great Thai food, Thailand’s beautiful beaches and the huge variety of places to relax and chill out. One of the most relaxing and best things in this matter are Thai massages. Whether one decides to go for a …

This was it for today’s issue of the “How to Massage Series” on the thai massage. Hope you enjoyed it.

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 43% [?]

We hear it all the time: a million and one promise to “loose weight fast and easy” with new diets, work-outs and whatnot. A new upcoming trend is getting a special massage treatment that is clinically proven to reduce fat and smooth cellulite that I would like to introduce to you.

Nevertheless I’ll tell you upfront that this does not completely replace a classical cardio workout, which is really the only way to loose weight in the long term.

But for all of you “lazy” women out there, why not get to enjoy yourself with some additional massage sessions that can even greatly help you reach your goals?

OK, What’s It All About?

LPG Endermologie® has developed the technique called Lipomassage. This apparative body-massage is actually very famous with hollywood stars like Jennifer Lopez (still battling with her behind?), Penelope Cruz or Matthew McConaughey already.

It is designed to stimulate and activate the lymphatic and venous bloodstream to reduce specificly targetted bodyfat.

One session of Lipomassage will take about 20-35 minutes and after six to nine massage sessions results are promised.

Get more info about it here.

Have fun relaxing and loosing weight at the same time!

Konstantin Koss

(Photo by Robert McDon.)

Popularity: 12% [?]

Last post in this series: The Introduction

When you think of a massage the images that come to mind mostly reflect the classical swedish massage.

This type of massage was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812.

It is the most common and well-known type of massage and it’s generally the first massage technique that a student in massage therapy learns.

Here is an overview.

The Purpose

• The main purpose of swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.
• Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes.
• It increases circulation without increasing heart load.
• It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable.
• Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time.
• It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management.

Source: Mamashealth.com

The Benefits

The swedish massage

• relieves muscular tension, stiffness, and pain - helps with fibromyalgia, arthritis, and even chronic tension headaches;
• increases flexibility;
• reduces fatigue, stress, depression, and anxiety;
• improves posture;
• enhances athletic performance;
• improves circulation and reduces swelling and edema;
• alleviates PMS and menopausal symptoms;
• helps with cellulite and weight-related problems;
• improves respiratory function, which is especially important if you smoke or suffer from asthma or frequent coughs;
• increases activity of your immune system, which protects you from bouts of cold and flu.

Source: Allwomenstalk.com

The Technique

Okay, great. But how do you actually do a swedish massage? The technique of a swedish massage involves several different types of strokes over the muscles.

Note that each of these strokes follows the natural pattern of the muscle, meaning that for example the upper legs are vertically massaged from knee to pelvis and not horizontally “around the leg” since the muscles there go from knee to pelvis.

Also each of the strokes should end at a body part that is able to release toxins well. These are expecially inner thighs and axels. You should never massage the blood into the head.

Now for the individual types of swedish massage strokes:

• Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips
• Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers
• Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers
• Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body
• Passive and active movements: Bending and stretching
• Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping

Again, thanks to Mamashealth.com

Since you can best learn these techniques from seeing them instead of just reading about them, have a look at this excellent video teaching series

Additional Info:

• Getting The Most Out Of Your Massage On A Spa Vacation

- The Swedish massage is the most common and the most popular massage that most people get on a spa vacation. In this massage, the massage therapist uses long smooth strokes to soothe and relax the muscles. Kneading and circular motions …

• The Basics of Massage Therapy (Massage Therapy 101) with emphasis …

- So the Swedish massage can be an aromatherapy Swedish massage if the oils used are true aromatherapy oils and not synthetic ones. If these oils are plant-based it can also be considered Phytotherapy incorporated into massage. …

• Benefits of Swedish Massage You Can’t Do Without

- It is possibly one of the most popular techniques for spa massages that you will experience. This type of technique has been well known to provide with you a good night’s sleep, in addition to helping clean up toxic fluids within the …

• The benefits of Swedish Massage

- Swedish massage is one of the most popular modern holistic massage techniques. It uses tapping motions to stimulate the body’s circulation system leading to a variety of positive effects on overall health. Swedish massage also leaves …

• How to Give a Swedish Massage

- The Swedish massage is one of the most popular types of massage given by massage therapists today. You will find it available worldwide in many locations, from upscale spa resorts to local massage therapy venues. …

Go through it and learn.

Have fun with the swedish massage technique!

Konstantin Koss

Popularity: 97% [?]

For me the hardest part starting out with this blog is to decide what of all the ideas floating around in my head to write about first. Let’s just make this a series.

I’m gonna blog regularly from now on about massage therapy in a “how to” way, to enable you dear reader

• to either decide for yourself which massage to get from a professional
• to try out different things in a friendship or relationship context
• to better act out your existing professional education with additional tips

To start out, I recommend watching this instructional video, it covers the basics of massage therapy in mere 8 minutes.

This video was rated “not suitable for minors” on youtube, but are there actually people who have a problem with their kids seeing a naked back being massaged?

Stay tuned for next wednesdays first episode of the “How to Massage Series”, featuring the classical swedish massage.

Popularity: 15% [?]