Japanese Massage

HistoryIn earlier days in China, a doctor wasn't paid to give treatment to ill people but to keep a person healthy. As soon as a person became ill, he got his treatment for free. The health care was basically preventive. There are 5 types of treatment: acupuncture, medicines and herbs, curving with stones, moxa and anma (massage). Shiatsu came from anma. It was recommended for people living in the center of the country, near to the yellow river. In this area the culture was most developed and people were doing more mental than physical work. The same can be said about us.The Japanese took many things from Chinese culture to change and develop. So they did with anma and acupuncture and developed it into "shiatsu".

FingerpressureShiatsu literally means fingerpressure

Natural body weight is used when pressure is applied on special points on the body. Through this pressure the energy flowing in the meridians is influenced. This energy is called chi.
ChiChi by itself is invisible, but the way chi works can be seen in the body. When a wound is healing 'just by itself' it is the work of chi. Traditionally everything was seen as an expression of chi. Chi is the origin, the power of live. When chi stagnates, the body becomes ill.
MeridiansMeridians are channels of chi. Sometimes they follow the same line as muscles or blood-vessels. The functions of the meridians is:- control the movement in the body (blood, gas, air, water)- connect the arms, legs and head with the trunk- communication from inside to the outside of the body (and from the outside to the inside) and from up to down (and from down to up)- control the regulation of the organs.

There are twelve main meridians.

Each meridian corresponds with an organ and is named after that specific organ. Triple heater however is an exception. This meridian corresponds with the relationship between a few organs.The meridian is not only connected to the organ, but also to the eastern concept of the function of that organ. Large intestine for example takes care of secretion. Emotionally it is related with lost, parting e.g. A collector can have problems like constipation. Spending a lot of money also can effect the large intestine.

Treatment

There are for means to make a diagnose: These are:

setsu-shin: touch, massage

bun-shin: listening to the sound of the voice and smelling the body and breath

mon-shin: asking question about the history of the disease, habits and preferences

bo-shin: looking to the shape and color of the body.

Setsu-shin is the most important one. Reflection zones on the hara and back, pulse, tongue, special tsubo's and manipulations of the joints are used. Often diagnose and treatment is the same. During the massage the therapist gets information which he uses for diagnose. The diagnose will change by time because the energy is changing. The information the therapist gets, he can use immediately for his treatment. This is a big difference with acupuncture.

An other important difference with acupuncture is the physical contact. The patient experiences the deep and intense support. If he feels safe enough he will show problems that are normally hidden. This is very important, because behind every 'pain' that asks to be cured, there is an other 'pain' hidden. Giving attention to this vulnerable problem is the beginning of recovering.

What is Thai Massage?

Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India.It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine.For centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.

What does Thai massage feel like?

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more classic forms of massage. Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any work.Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during treatment. People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energizing.

What should I expect during my visit?

Thai massage is usually done on a padded mat on the floor. No oil is applied, so you are fully dressed. You are usually asked to bring or wear comfortable clothing to the massage.A typical Thai massage is 60 minutes to two hours long.

What conditions is Thai massage used for?

Many people find that Thai massage has the following benefits:
relaxes
reduces stress
improves circulation
increases energy
increases flexibility
improves range of motion
centers the mind and body
PrecautionsMassage is not recommended for certain people:
infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
immediately after surgery
immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage.
massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Additional tips

Don’t eat a heavy meal before the massage
If it's your first time at the clinic or spa, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.
Be sure that your massage therapist has your complete health history, because people with certain conditions should not have Thai massage.
If you feel discomfort at any time, let your massage therapist know.

From Cathy Wong,

Javanese Massage

An oil-based massage that originated as an ancient system of healing with a history of over 300 years in Indonesia. In Javanese massage, pushing and stroking techniques predominate, working to ease muscle and joint pain. It relies upon deep thumb pressures pushing, pressing and circling along and around the body's energy meridians to break down tensely knotted muscles and to stimulate the body's lymphatic system into releasing its self regenerative power. The deep thumb pressure is accompanied with simultaneous stroking palm movements, squeezing and pushing against the skin and veins to improve blood circulation.We started providing low cost, high value Javanese massages and treatments in 2003 believing there is a clear lack in Singapore for such services. Our founding ideal is to provide our customers with quality massages at affordable prices in a clean and safe environment.
We pioneered the concept of training all our therapists by our resident Massage Master regardless of their experience level. All our therapists undergo rigorous training (including a month of On-the-Job-Training) before they are certified. They continue to be tested quarterly and are taught new skills and techniques. This is to ensure a consistent level of expertise as well as a single homogenous style and technique.
All our shops have men and women sections that are separated and all have shower facilities. All Traditional Javanese Massage Hut branches are 100% owned by the Group ensuring consistent quality and service standards.

Three Areas of Sports Massage

Sports massage may involve prevention and maintenance programs, on-site treatment before and after an athletic event, and rehabilitation programs for those who are injured during the program.

Maintenance Massage

An effective maintenance program is based on the massage therapist's understanding of anatomy and kinesiology, combined with an expert knowledge of which muscles are used in a given sport and which are likely candidates for trouble. By zeroing in on particular muscle groups and working specific tissues, the sports massage therapist can help the athlete maintain or improve range of motion and muscle flexibility. The overall objective of a maintenance program is to help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free training.

Event Massage

Pre-event.

Pre-event sports massage is given within the four hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning massage, and focuses on warming-up the major muscles to be used, and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating. Pre-event. Pre-event sports massage is given within the four hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning massage, and focuses on warming-up the major muscles to be used, and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating.

Inter/Intra-event.

Inter- and intra-event massage is given between events or in time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity, and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity. Inter- and intra-event massage is given between events or in time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity, and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity.

Post-event.

Post-event sports massage is given after a competition and is mainly concerned with recovery. It is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also general relaxation and mental calming. A recovery session might be 15 minutes to 11/2 hours in length. Post-event sports massage is given after a competition and is mainly concerned with recovery. It is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also general relaxation and mental calming. A recovery session might be 15 minutes to 11/2 hours in length.

Rehabilitation Massage

Even with preventive maintenance, muscles cramp, tear, bruise, and ache. Sports massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort during the rehabilitation process.
Soft tissue techniques employed by sports massage therapists are effective in the management of both acute and chronic injuries. For example, adding lymphatic massage to the "standard care" procedure in the acute stage of injury will improve control of secondary, hypoxic injury and enhance edemous fluid removal throughout the healing cycle. Trigger point techniques reduce the spasms and pain that occur both in the injured and "compensation" muscles. Cross-fiber friction techniques applied during the subacute and maturation phases of healing improve the formation of strong and flexible repair tissue, which is vital in maintaining full pain-free range of motion during rehabilitation.
In all cases, such massage techniques are employed in collaboration with other appropriate medical care. For example, encouraging circulation around a bruise, but not directly on it, through the use of compression, cross-fiber techniques or even long, deep strokes is only used after appropriate medical referral and diagnostics indicate that there are no clots formed in the area which may embolize.

Indonesian Massage - highly effective for Sports Injuries

Traditional Indonesian Massage, which includes Javanese and Balinese massage, dates back almost as far as Chinese massage. It could be regarded as one of the original, deeply relaxing, oil-based massages.
Indonesian massage techniques comprise an amalgam of ancient therapeutic movements whose variety is seemingly endless. Pushing techniques predominate; working at a very deep level to break down knotted tissue thus easing muscle and joint pain or discomfort.
Unlike other oil-based forms of Western massage, Indonesian techniques are designed to give a very deep stimulation to the body's soft tissues. These massage techniques particularly affect the connective tissue (myofascia and tendons) of the muscles.

Sports Injuries

Sports Injuries are defined as any injury sustained whilst participating in sports activities. However, many common sports injuries are not actually specific to sports; they may also occur as a result of non-sports type activities e.g. tennis elbow could arise from an activity such as sawing, if undertaken frequently or for prolonged periods. Sports injuries may be classified as either Trauma Injuries or Repetitive Strain Injuries.
Trauma Injuries are caused by sudden trauma events and often require hospital treatment. Such injuries are called acute conditions e.g. torn knee ligaments or Achilles tendons.
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) arise through overuse and specific symptoms develop over an extended period of time. Unless treated, such injuries can develop into chronic conditions e.g. frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, housemaid's knee, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, etc. Cortisone injections normally only provide temporary relief; whereas Acupunture with Tui-Na and / or Indonesian traditional massage can produce long-term benefits.

Indonesian traditional massage is a highly effective treatment for repetitive strain type sports injuries. It is also extremely beneficial for general muscular tension in the neck and shoulder regions. Indonesian massage can be used as a follow-on treatment after either Acupuncture or Tui-Na Therapy to promote rapid recovery and return to normal / sporting activities.

TRADITIONAL BALINESE MASSAGE

This is a therapy where pushing techniques predominate, working very deeply to ease muscle and joint pain. It is an ancient system of healing which relies upon deep pressure massage to break down tensely knotted tissue and promote harmony of body, mind and soul. It will improve circulation, calm your nerves, and alter your mental state. The Traditional Balinese Massage Therapy is an extension of the Ayurvedic massage. It is a deep oil-based massage. It is an ancient system of healing which relies upon deep pressure massage to break down tensely knotted tissue as well as long strokes and skin rolling to relieve tension, improve circulation, ease stress and promote harmony of body, mind and soul. Stress can lead to imbalances within many areas of the body's systems. Massage helps to reduce this stress and therefore leads to the rebalancing of the body. This, in turn, contributes to improvement in the function of all major body systems. Oil mixed with some essential oil is used for Traditional Balinese Massage. This is strongly therapeutic, and has a beneficial effect on the body's circulation and lymphatic system by releasing its regenerative and self-healing powers. A one hour session of this kind of massage is enough to leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed, rejuvenated and re-energised and it will definitely improve circulation, calm your nerves, and alter your mental state.