I found this great article that talks about the different types of massage techniques in further detail and I’ve pasted the article below for your convenience.  If you would like to checkout the original article, click here.

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There are several forms of ancient Asian massage still being practiced in the world today. Asian massage techniques are ancient healing rituals developed over the centuries in India and the Far East. Thai massage, shiatsu and asian massage are becoming more and more popular in the west as more people become interested in pilates, yoga and other more holistic forms of exercise and relaxation.

Thai massage actually started in India. It is a form of massage using guided stretching and Meridian pressure point therapy in combination with an ancient breathing method called “Pranayama.” This technique uses breathing techniques to relax and cleanse the body while strengthening the nervous system. Sessions usually end with a ritualized final relaxation that most customers find intensely restful.

Chinese acupressure or “tui na” was developed over 5000 years ago. By applying pressure to the body at certain key points, the acupressure therapist helps the body to activate its own self-healing abilities. Acupressure has been used for centuries to treat back pain, headaches and migraines, stress and anxiety. It is deeply relaxing and can have the added benefit of assisting the patient with weight management.

Japanese Shiatsu is another type of massage developed in the Far East. It concentrates on energy rebalance and physical well-being using the thumbs, palms and fingers to apply pressure to certain areas of the body. Benefits of this type of massage include rebalancing of the bone system, enhanced circulatory function, maintaining balance of the nervous system and greater skin and muscle flexibility.

Indonesian Javanese massage is a system of massage that uses all parts of the hand, including the knuckles, to knead and massage the muscles. Usually a massage oil is used to facilitate the therapy. This massage works on the muscles and nerves to relieve tension, back pain and aid in the healing of fractures. Of all of the Asian massages, this is the most robust, and the massage is often painful, although greatly beneficial in the long run.

Whatever your preferences, there are many ancient Asian massage treatments to choose from. Explore your massage options by adding one of these interesting and beneficial massages to your health regimen.

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Massage has been practiced for thousands of years dating back to the ancient Greece. In fact, the word “massage” is Greek in origin meaning “to touch”. Today, it is one of the most popular spa services and therapy that include stroking of the skin or kneading and manipulation of the muscles or applying pressure on some areas of the body. Asian massage therapy are techniques that originated and developed in India and the Far East. Through the course of centuries, this therapy which is an ancient healing ritual aim to work with the body’s energetic system for the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health.

Several forms of Asian therapy are still being utilized today such as the Thai, Shiatsu, Ayurvedic, acupressure and Amma to name a few. Thai massage is a hot “new” method offered by most modern spas. But it actually originated in India and was developed by Buddhist monks in Thailand 2,500 years ago. Thai massage uses guided stretching and Meridian pressure point therapy in combination with the “Pranayama” which is an ancient breathing method.

Thai massage increases flexibility, relieves muscle and joint tension and balances the body’s energy systems. It is accompanied by breathing techniques, and is said to be a little like doing yoga only the therapist is the one instigating the body to assume various positions. It is both relaxing and energizing as well as helpful in cleansing the body and strengthening the nervous system. Another Asian method is the Ayurvedic massage. This therapy has its roots from an ancient Indian medical tradition. Ayurvedic massage aids the individual in receiving nutrient material from the body and is helpful in expelling toxins.

Certain ailments related to the muscles, ligaments and the nervous system can be completely healed through good Ayurvedic massage. This form is also an ideal remedy for pain. Chinese acupressure or “tui-na” is a 5,000-year-old Asian massage therapy which aids in the body’s activation of its own self-healing abilities by applying pressure on specific key points in the body. Acupressure has been a centuries-old remedy for back pain, migraines and headaches as well as for stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it can assist in weight management. Shiatsu are two Japanese words compounded, “shi” meaning finger and “atsu” meaning pressure. It is originally developed in Japan.

Shiatsu is similar to acupuncture, but the therapist uses finger pressure instead of needles. Using the thumbs, palms and hands to apply pressure in key point areas of the body, it aims to promote energy balance and physical well-being. Another Asian method is the Indonesian-Javanese massage system in which all parts of the hand including the knuckles, are used to knead and massage the muscles and is usually facilitated with oil. This version is effective on the muscles and the nerves and it aids in relieving back pain and tension as well as in hastening the healing of fractures. It is often the most robust and painful yet beneficial in the long run.

Asian massage therapy has its roots in a spiritual tradition and almost always, these treatments are holistic. The purpose is to heal a person physically, emotionally and spiritually.

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While Asia has long been regarded as the home for varied cultural and alternate healthcare practices that combine the elements of agony, ecstasy, higher knowledge and consciousness besides being enjoyable, stress-relieving and also strengthening – both physically and mentally, not many people know of the 5 basic Asian massage forms and their benefits. We cover some of these proven techniques and their advantages for the reader interested in balancing the energies of the body and mind through the best relaxation techniques man has ever know i.e. Asian Massage.

There are many different types of massages in the world, each with its own basic techniques and benefits for those who believe in taking up activities to nourish mind and body; among the most popular are Shiatsu, Acupressure, Amma (or anma), Ayurvedic and Champissage.

1. Shiatsu – originated from Japan and focuses on using the fingers and acupuncture points for rewarding the person undergoing the massage a uniquely Oriental healing touch by controlling and balancing the flow of life energy that passes through the body. It concentrates in bringing about self-healing for the body through redirecting its own energies by applying slow pressure and stimulating blood flow, which in turn, brings about a sense of relief and relaxation besides also facilitating the human body’s mechanism against disease of many kinds.

2. Acupressure – is a Chinese technique for bringing rest from pain for the human body and focuses on using the fingers to press focal points on the body so tension and stress built up in the body is released and good sleep is ensured after the session. It is also a method for treating anxiety.

3. Anma (or Anma) – is yet another Japanese healing technique, which means ‘massage’ in their language; it combines different limb movements to help a person experience peace and relief from pain and stress. It is based on the principles of a dance-like activity called Kata, which works to build up a tempo, pace and precision in the manner in which the masseuse decides different finger strokes, knee and elbow movements, stretching or manipulating the feet and hands and thus, requires the body to be agile and flexible. Anma does not call for taking off one’s clothes and can be practiced anywhere since no oils are used.

4. Ayurvedic – is an Indian form of body massage used to cleanse the body of toxins and is based on vigorous hand strokes to bring about a sense of peacefulness and restore balance in the body. It typically uses warm oil and concoctions of herbs to get the right results and sometimes the massage oil is poured into the ears, between the brows and other specific energy points, with a client’s permission.

5. Champissage- has its root in Ayuveda; it is a technique that mainly deals with treating the upper half of the body in the aim of promoting blood circulation in the scalp. It nourishes the hair roots essentially but the feel-good feeling persists as the masseur also massages the client’s face, neck, ears, neck and shoulders besides upper arms to get all the cricks out. It is believed to relieve headaches, eye-strain and energize a person.

Try one today – and feel lighter and more relaxed than ever before!