My website is http://www.themassageforyou.com/
Before I get into specifics here are some basics of self-massage.
Before I get into specifics here are some basics of self-massage.
A coincidence
"Is it a coincidence that when you bend your arm at the elbow your hand automatically reaches your neck and your ears, ready to apply massage? Is it a coincidence that when you put your right foot on your left knee, your hands are right there to begin massaging? How far do you have to travel and how much does it cost to have your left hand massage your right hand? This is a health care breakthrough. Why have we overlooked this? Why didn't someone teach this to us as children?"
Roger Jahnke
from The Healer Within
The techniques for self-massage I will share come from the book "The Healer Within" by Roger Jahnke which we read for homework in the Level I Swedish Massage class I took at Santa Barbara Bodyworks. Mr. Jahnke shares two different approaches to self-massage. I will call these the reflex method and the local effect method.
The reflex method deals with the areas (points) on the feet, hands and ears that reflect other parts of the body. When you apply pressure or movement to these areas they affect how the connected part of the body feels. The Chinese (acupressure/acupuncture) and Japanese (shiatsu) therapists use this type of massage.
The local effect method uses pressure and movement (stroking, kneading, friction, tapping and gentle holding) directly on areas of pain or dysfunction. This assists the natural healing processes in the area being massaged.
By pain or dysfunction I mean only general soreness like sore muscles or a muscle cramp. If there is an actual injury it needs to heal first. Usually three days if minor or more if it is a major injury or surgery (ask the doctor how long the healing process should take).
What do you think?
What do you think?
