Once considered a practice of the rich, eccentric or libertine, the availability and many health benefits of massage have led to wide acceptance by the general public.
by Catherine Honora Kineavy
an Diego is well known for its beautiful year-round
weather. But we have another valuable resource that is a secret to many:
access to professionals who give and teach many different types of massage.
Technically, massage is the systematic or rhythmic
manipulation of the body. This manipulation is usually done with the hands,
but many different techniques are employed to obtain particular results.
This manipulation benefits the different systems of the body including,
but not limited to, the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, the
circulatory system and the immune system.
There are two basic schools or philosophies
of massage: Western and Eastern. These different schools have distinct focuses,
but more often techniques from both schools are combined by the masseuse/masseur
depending on the needs of the client.
Both Western and Eastern massage methods originated
thousands of years ago. For the most part, massage was practiced within
families and extended communities; it was an everyday experience to some.
Today, we have the perception that massage is a special experience, but
I contend that it should be an essential part of our lives. Just like eating
well and exercising, massage can be a vital ingredient to maintaining a
healthy body, mind and spirit. Massage is more than just a form of relaxation;
it is a facilitator and maintainer of heath. The Western School is concerned
mainly with the structure of the musculoskeletal system. An example of Western
massage would be the Swedish massage. This is the kind of massage that is
portrayed in many movies. It is a somewhat rigorous form of massage; its
manipulations go deep into the tissue.
The Eastern School, rather than being "structure"
based, is "energy based." This energy has many names: "chi,"
"qi," "ki," or "vital force." Basically, the
Eastern School's premise is that we each have an energy that continually
flows in the body. This energy flows along certain lines or "meridians."
These meridians represent organs and organ systems. When there is a block
in this energy flow, illness results. The block could be emotional, physical
or spiritual. The Eastern School considers the body as a whole energy source.
If a block arises, the body will manifest dis-ease of some sort.
Massage exerts its beneficial effects primarily
through stress reduction and the repair of damaged tissues.
Stress is a primary health problem experienced
by many in this fast-paced society. Massage alleviates stress in a number
of ways. First, massage physiologically induces relaxation. It soothes the
nervous system, which allows the body to relax. Further massage decreases
blood pressure and pulse, which also reduces stress. Massage does this by
increasing the flow of blood to the lymphatic system.
In addition to mitigating the stress in our
bodies, massage actually can relieve pain and swelling in our muscles and
joints. The increase in the lymphatic flow (which carries protein and other
substances from muscles and bones to the blood) aids in preventing fluid
accumulation that leads to swollen joints and tissues. Bone and tissue repair
are stimulated by massage directly around the injured bone. Massage increases
the retention of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur which are key in repairing
injured tissue. Further, massage eliminates metabolic by-products, such
as lactic acid, that are lodged in muscles. This increases the recuperation
rate of injured and tired muscles. Finally, through massage stretches, the
body experiences an increase in flexibility and range of motion. Many physical
therapists are utilizing massage techniques in their treatment protocol.
An important aspect of massage that should
be mentioned is touch. Touch is a "touchy" topic. We often do
not receive enough touch, and it is a very healing action. Studies have
shown that massage increases the survival rate of infants in isolation (e.g.,
in hospital incubators). Touch is a method of bonding and connecting with
others. Other studies assert that touch, through massage, has helped those
who have experienced sexual abuse.
Often, people do not receive massage because
they are shy, modest or fearful about being touched. These are all valid
feelings. However, it is important to remember that in any situation, especially
in a massage, if you feel uncomfortable, it is your right to remove yourself.
It is important that you communicate your feelings to your practitioner.
A massage should be a healing experience. Do not ignore your feelings, but
move through them, and you may be able to heal some past emotional trauma
related to intimacy and touch.
There are many different types of massage techniques
that have originated in different parts of the world. Here in San Diego,
there are masseuses/masseurs who practice many of these different ancient
and modern systems of massage. Each application has a certain emphasis and
technique. Additionally, San Diego schools offer a myriad of classes in
these various modalities.
Literally translated, Shiatsu means "finger
pressure." This is a Japanese form of massage that stimulates the energy
or "chi" through the body along the organ system meridians through
the use of pressure. Shiatsu practitioners incorporate stretching using
the hands, feet, forearms and whole body. It is a very nurturing massage
that nourishes the organs and facilitates metabolic processes. There are
different types of Shiatsu including, to name a few, barefoot and Zen-Touch.
Zen-Touch is practiced at the School of Healing Arts in Pacific Beach.
This Chinese form of massage is known mainly
by its diverse hand movements. Like Shiatsu, it seeks to restore balance
within the energy or "qi" flow within the body. Tui Na focuses
on specific problems, usually dealing with soft tissue areas including tendons
and muscles. Herbal treatment sometimes is combined with Tui Na to obtain
a more therapeutic effect.
The title of this form of massage seems self-explanatory:
this massage penetrates deeper into the tissues. However, this does not
necessarily mean that the massage is physically harder on the body. Through
deep work, toxins are removed from tissue. Additionally, this form of massage
breaks up soft tissue adhesions, removes stagnation in the body, and liberates
long-held emotional trauma that has been lodged deep within the tissues.
This is a deeply relaxing massage that brings
the client into the "alpha state." At the same time, it relaxes
the body and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This reduces
muscle tension and alleviates pain. Further, it stimulates lymph drainage
that is vital to a healthy immune system.
This is an ancient Hawaiian massage that is
closely aligned with Hawaiian religion. You may have heard the name "Kahuna."
The Kahuna Lomilomi is an expert in healing the body through touch. There
are many different styles of lomilomi, but they all are founded on the belief
that all creation is connected and divine. Lomilomi literally means "to
break up into small little pieces with the finger tips." Lomilomi massage
utilizes rhythmic, relaxing techniques that soothe, and vigorous techniques
that revive the body. As a result, circulation is increased in the blood
and lymphatic systems that assist in the elimination of toxins from the
body. Hawaiians believe the intent of the practitioner is an essential element
in the healing power of the massage. Lomilomi practitioners use oils in
their healing.
Watsu is a nurturing, pleasurable and therapeutic
bodywork done in warm water. Harold Dull is the original practitioner of
this unique form of water Shiatsu. Watsu brings warmth into the muscles
and removes joint pressure. Like Shiatsu, the stretches increase peoples'
flexibility and range of motion. Watsu is a dance within the water. Through
floating, rocking and continual movement, a sense of freedom arises within
the client and practitioner. The client is unable to predict the next movement,
and therefore surrenders resistance and relinquishes fear. As Harold Dull
maintains, "Watsu is an exploration in freedom."
This is just a sampling of the types of massage
available. Please note that depending on whose literature you read, the
names may be spelled differently.
San Diego is the home of many local schools
of massage, including The School of Healing Arts, Mueller College of Holistic
Studies, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, Body-Mind College and International
Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB), that teach different massage techniques.
Additionally, these schools provide access to student massage at a discounted
rate. In fact, some schools have open house evenings where massage students
practice on the public - free of charge. I encourage you to take advantage
of this local resource as a massage will only enhance your health.
Massage is not only for special times; it is
a valuable constituent in maintaining your health. This is the holiday season;
give yourself or a friend the gift of massage.
Catherine Honora Kineavy is a graduate student, free-lance writer/editor, poet and practicing macrobiotic vegetarian. She has studied Shiatsu and is currently taking courses in nutrition counseling. Her broader interests are in holistic healing, spirituality, politics and ecofeminism.
