Shirodhara (which comes from the Sanskrit words Shir or head and dhara or flow) is a form of Ayurvedic medicine that involves a measured and gentle pouring of liquids upon the forehead of the person for various curative purposes.

In Hindu mythology the forehead is thought to be the site of the third eye which is why this restorative therapy is concentrated upon this site.

Substances such as water, milk, buttermilk, medicated oils, and coconut water are generally used, depending upon the nature of the therapy and the problem sought to be addressed.

Shirodhara is commonly used as part of the famous Kerala therapeutic massage and may be used to address a number of ailments such as –

• Problems of the sinus
• Eye disease and other visual problems
• Allergic rhinitis
• Premature graying of hair
• Memory loss or problems with concentration
• Sleep related problems
• Neurological problems
• Problems relating to hearing such as loss of hearing and tinnitus
• Vertigo and other balance related problems
• Certain skin diseases such as psoriasis
• Meneire’s Disease

In addition, Shirodhara is used in spas and as part of Ayurvedic massage therapies to aid and assist in relaxation. This is the non medicinal use of Shirodhara which helps to enliven and rejuvenate the person.

Chinese massage, also known as Tui Na, is a form of massage therapy that dates back 2,000 years in China. During the Chinese massage, traditional medicine and massage techniques are applied to help the body freely flow the Qi.

It is based on Chinese medical theories that just like a globe, the body has meridians through which energy, or the Qi, passes through. If there is a blockage in any of the meridians, this causes sickness or ailments, hence the purpose of Chinese massage is to unblock those passages and bring the body back to balance and achieve equilibrium.

Unlike other forms of massage, Chinese massage is not intended to be used for achievement of relaxation.

It is an art that has been developed to treat and heal internal and external ailments in the body. It addresses ailments on a holistic approach, intending to find and treat the root cause of ailments instead of simply curing the symptoms.

Techniques and methods

A practitioner of Tui Na makes use of hands to treat the patient. Combinations of other traditional forms of Chinese therapy may be used, such as acupuncture, herbalism, Tai Chi, among others.

In Chinese traditional medicine, the body has 8 gates wherein the joints are located. The practitioner will use their hands to rub, knead, or massage these areas to soften up tendons and muscles to open up the systems and allow the energy to freely pass through.

To enhance the process of Chinese massage, tools such as herbs, liniments, compress, and salves may also be used.

Chinese traditional medicine also states that various methods may be used, such as the rolling of hands throughout the body, the use of one finger to push in order to treat internal ailments through acupressure, and bone setting which is used to heal ailments in the musculoskeletal system among others. If you are looking for an alternative method of treatment to aid you, you should give Chinese massage a try.

Benefits of Chinese massage

• The use of Chinese massage can help one have speedy healing for bruises and injuries. It will also aid in the removal of scar tissue.
• It will increase your flexibility and overall posture, because the therapy is focused on loosening up tight muscles and joints.
• Therapy has been recognized as effective in treating emotional distress, as well as stress which can cause blockages within one’s musculoskeletal system.
• Chinese massage has been designed to address problems with internal organs, and can be used with other traditional techniques to fully heal a patient.
• Blood circulation and regulation of the nervous system are significantly improved after one or a few sessions of therapy.
• If you are sickly, you can make use of Chinese massage to improve your overall well-being and use it as a form of preventive care to ensure higher immunity against future disease.
• Chronic pain can also be effectively cured through Tui Na.

Lymphatic massage is a form of therapy which was created to encourage healthy lymph nodes through massage. The lymph nodes are crucial to one’s immune system, because through it passes a liquid that protects the body from viruses and other infections.

It was developed in the 1930’s and has long been recognized as a very effective method of therapy and treatment for a number of health conditions.

Various causes can attribute to blockages in the lymph system. Some of these include a poor diet, surgery, fatigue, lack of sleep, and reactions to various medications.

If you are feeling sick, you should give lymphatic massage a try. Just like other forms of massages, it guarantees to relieve you of pain and relax your body and mind. Here are the benefits of having a lymphatic massage:

1. The lymphatic massage focuses on eliminating blockages in the lymph systems, which is important in helping one feel healthy and have a stronger immune system.
2. Having a clear and healthy lymphatic system is also crucial to the good functioning of the body’s other systems, as it allows the lymph fluid to flow freely and provide protection and circulation.
3. Lymphatic massage is also recommended before surgery, as it ensures that the lymph system is healthy. Likewise, it is also used after surgery to reduce swelling caused by the operation.
4. Lymphatic massage is a non-invasive form of holistic treatment that can be used by anyone to keep their systems healthy and in good condition. However, if you have existing diseases or infections you should abstain from getting this type of massage treatment because it can promote the spread of the infection through the body.
5. Lymphatic massage is also used as therapy for overall well-being, even if you are not sick or suffering of anything.
6. Some lymphatic massage practitioners offer breast massage, as lymph nodes are also located in these areas, to provide relief from the pain that is brought about by changes in breast tissue as a result of pregnancy.
7. It can be used to treat a number of illnesses including: colds, allergies, joint pain, sports injuries, appetite deficiencies, headaches, fatigue, and cellulite.
8. Lymphatic massage is an effective way to stay healthy at the onset of flu season. Simply go to a practitioner and one or a few sessions of therapy will ensure your immune system is strong enough to fight the flu virus during the remainder of the season. There is no additional need to take pills or use special equipment because it is a holistic approach and non-invasive.
9. Unlike other types of massage treatments that use high pressure, lymphatic massage is very delicate and gentle, so one never experiences pain. The vessels of the lymph system are located right under the skin, so not much pressure is required to provide relief and unblock the system.
10. There are various forms of lymphatic massage available. Also, the sessions do not focus on only one part of the body because lymph nodes are located throughout, such as in the armpit, breast, neck, and groin.

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When our lives get tangled up in stress and we are finding it difficult to think rationally as a result, there are many ways to de-stress and release the pressure of daily life.

However, one of them, therapeutic massage, remains a constant in many people’s lives for its ability to release bad energy and make one feel very relaxed despite a long day’s work.

Therapeutic massage combines the art of touch therapy, which has been around for thousands of years, together with science, to provide people with pain relief and overall well-being and relaxation.

There are many different kinds of therapeutic massage available today, but one thing they all have in common is the use of hand strokes, and usually with lubrication such as oil or lotion, with pressure applied on various parts of the body to manipulate muscles and soft tissue.

The therapeutic massage practitioner may use just their hands, or other parts of the body to achieve the desired effect, such as fingers, elbows, feet, or forearms.

Types and benefits of therapeutic massage

Therapeutic massage is also recognized for its healing qualities and health benefits.

Although it has been around since ancient times, countless studies have verified the effectiveness of massage and touch therapy as a tool and complement for a person who is undergoing healing.

Some of the most common types of therapeutic massage are the following:

1. Deep tissue massage pertains to the use of patterns of strokes and the use of fingers to apply pressure deep into the muscles to fix knots and problem areas.
2. Swedish massage involves long strokes, kneading, and adding friction to muscles to remove tied up bunches of muscles, stress-related areas, and to increase flexibility within joints. It is a common type of massage for those who want to simply relax and unwind, as well as those with serious blockages or pains in their muscles.
3. Shiatsu massage is based on the principle qi, a vital energy, to flow freely throughout the body for one to have mental and physical well-being and balance. The massage applies pressure and rhythmic movements to unblock anything that may be causing the qi to have a stopped flow in the body.
4. Pressure point massage is a more intensive type of therapeutic massage, prescribed for those who commonly use certain muscles such as athletes. The therapist uses deeper strokes to reach deeper into muscles that have formed knots, and these areas will bring about pain or discomfort during the session when treated however will disappear in a few minutes.

Therapeutic massage has been proven to aid in healing a number of health problems. These include issues with sleep, weight, heart problems, blood pressure, depression, post-surgery healing, trauma, damaged blood vessels, circulation and breathing problems, digestive disorders, and many others.

If you have serious health ailments, therapeutic massage works best when used in complement with alternative medicine and treatment. It’s important to know that you should never self-medicate or self-diagnose.

However, if you simply want to relax and unwind from a long week of work, you can always count on therapeutic massage to make you feel better in just a few minutes.