Systems of Massage
Massage systems and methods of today, descend from the Swedish, German, French, English, Chinese, and Japanese systems. The Most popular of these being Swedish. The Swedish system is based on the western concepts of anatomy and physiology. Swedish uses strokes like Effleurage, petrissage, vibration, friction and tapotement. Swedish strokes can be used is different styles slow and light, vigorous and bracing, and can be alter by the therapist to achieve various different goals based on what the patient needs.
The German method uses many of the Swedish movements yet combines these basic movements with highlighting the use of various different types of baths. The French and English systems use many of the Swedish massage techniques for the entire body.
Acupressure comes from the Chinese medical practice of acupuncture and comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine principles. Chinese use these principles in assessing and treating the physical and energetic body. Acupressure uses various different methods to apply pressure in many of the same points that acupuncture uses to bring Chi (Universal life energy) back into balance. The aim of Chinese medicine is to be preventative in nature to relieve pain, discomfort, or other physiological dirorders.
The Japanses system called Shiatsu, uses finger pressure methods on similar points of Traditional Chinese Medicine only these points are called Tsubo points. When pressure is properly applied to these points, circulation of blood and nerves are stimulated. This system of massage is said to improve the bodies metabolism and relieves a number of physical disorders.
Sports massage refers to a method of massage especially designed to prepare an athlete for competition or an event and then restore body function after the event. This is done by specialized manipulations of soft tissue that will stimulate the blood and lymph system. Some movements are designed to breakdown adhesions and lesions to reduce fatigue. Sports massage generally uses Swedish strokes with various movements that when applied will benefit the athlete and achieve the necessary results. Professional sports teams often employ specialized trained therapists for various sports such as baseball, football, basketball, hockey, ice skating, and swimming.
