Tag Archive for: Chinese Massage

Traditional Chinese Massage Therapy Bundaberg

What Is Chinese Massage? Bringing Holistic Healing to Bundaberg

Practitioners have developed and refined Chinese massage, including the tui na and zhi ya traditions, for more than 4,000 years. These styles share similar techniques with Western massage but also take a Chinese medicine approach. You can find Chinese massage practitioners in Bundaberg who specialise in more physical or more energetic healing modalities (depending on their particular type of training) to suit your unique needs and situation.

What Is Chinese Massage?

Na Chen, a traditional Chinese massage therapy practitioner in Bundaberg, says body energy must continuously flow to prevent stress and disease. Over many millennia, these therapists have developed a variety of related bodywork therapies, including acupuncture, acupressure, and Chinese massage.

Traditional Chinese healers manipulate the meridian system (inner energy points and pathways) to encourage the flow of “qi” (body energy) and blood throughout the body. Not only does “qi” flow through bodies, but the belief is that it also animates the entire world. Practitioners balance their clients’ “qi” by clearing energy pathways called jing luo of blockages that cause pain and disease. Massage practitioners identify pathways with limited flow and use hand pressure to restore balance and energy circulation.

Today, therapists practice Chinese massage all over the world. Western clients enjoy the mental and physical benefits of this practice, including stress relief and musculoskeletal realignment. Chinese massage practitioners typically focus on the therapeutic benefits of massage, as opposed to the Western model of stress relief and relaxation. Chinese massage therapists address and balance their clients’ entire holistic health, not just specific symptoms.

Tui Na and Zhi Ya

People in the West may refer to Chinese massage as tui na. However, this is only one of two main styles of traditional Chinese bodywork. Much like Western massage, tui na involves pushing, kneading, and stretching muscles. Zhi ya practitioners, however, use pinching and pressing techniques similar to acupressure, reflexology, and qigong.

Both tui na and zhi ya practitioners use a variety of shou fa (hand techniques) that may either stimulate (yang) or sedate (yin) the patient. Chinese massage practitioners try to balance the yin and yang energies to encourage health and lifestyle benefits.

Acupoints of Traditional Chinese Medicine - Male Chart

Acupoints of Traditional Chinese Medicine – Male Chart

Chinese Pediatric Massage

Because children have fewer physical and emotional barriers to care, xiao er tui na (Chinese pediatric massage) practitioners find their qi easier to treat. Xiao er tui na therapists often treat kids more quickly than adults, use a different system of acupoints, and typically use massage oils.

Experts have found regular holistic massage therapy improves children’s health in many ways. For example, one researcher discovered kids with cerebral palsy benefited significantly from a combination of this technique and music therapy. Chinese massage practitioners provided pinching, footplate, and segmental massage along with soothing background music to participants. The researcher found significant, measurable differences in gross motor function, range of motion, and spasm control in participants.

Benefits of Chinese Massage

Chinese massage can remove layers of emotional stress while breaking down scar tissue, increasing range of motion, and reducing pain. Other benefits of Chinese Massage Therapy include:

  • Renewed energy, vigor, and strength
  • Soothed lower back pain and sciatica
  • Better cardiovascular health
  • Lowered hypertension (blood pressure)
  • Opened up frozen shoulders
  • Relieved rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
  • Increased immunity
  • Better sleep
  • Healthier organ function
  • Hormone release
  • Improved respiration and circulation
  • Released lactic acid buildups
  • Accelerated injury and surgical recovery

What to Expect from a Chinese Massage Session

Both tui na and zhi ya sessions typically last more than a half hour and can take up to an hour or more. Talk with your therapist before the session to establish appropriate communication and trust. It is advised to first discuss your health history and goals, and it may also be beneficial to find out which techniques your practitioner will use.

Chinese Massage Therapy in Bundaberg

A Chinese massage therapist practicing acupressure on a patient.

Your practitioner will allow you privacy to disrobe and drape a sheet over yourself before your session. You always have the option to wear what you are most comfortable in during a session, pause or end your massage at any point, and ask for changes of music and scent.

Chinese massage practitioners may be more likely than other massage therapists to encourage talking during your massage. Not only does this provide them with feedback and increase your comfort, it may also help you release emotions that arise during the session.

Your Chinese massage therapist will likely work on your jin. This soft tissue connects the body and can affect the flow of chi. Practitioners also typically work on xue (acupoints), which connect the body’s various organs via the meridian system. In Chinese medicine, the meridian system is a distribution network that resembles a web and links the body’s various parts together.

Some ancient massage techniques bear similarities to Western massage, like pressing, stretching, squeezing, pushing, and kneading. However, your practitioner may also knead, dig, knuckle, and gently pluck your soft tissue. Your practitioner may even employ hammering and vibrating methods, or even walk on your back.

Chinese massage, with its wide range of treatments, thousands of years of tradition, and a unique set of techniques and approaches, can offer the benefit of improved health and an overall sense of greater well-being to many.

 


References:

  1. Arellano, V. (2015). What is Chinese massage? Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/119168-chinese-massage/
  2. Braverman, J. (2013). Chinese massage benefits. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/123084-benefits- chinese-massage/
  3. Chinese massage. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://learn.healthpro.com/chinese-massage/
  4. Liu, Z. (2011). Clinical study of traditional Chinese massage combined with music therapy in treatment of cerebral palsy. Pediatric Research, 70, 336. doi:10.1038/pr.2011.561
  5. What to expect at your massage session. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/expect.html
  6. This article first appeared on https://www.massagetique.com/types/chinese-massage/
Holistic Therapies Bundaberg

4 Surprising Benefits Of Holistic Massage Therapy

For many people, holistic massage therapy is a luxury that is often thought of as an occasional treat or reward on special occasions. But should it be? If I consider the countless benefits of receiving a massage, especially with a holistic approach, I believe massages should be available to everyone and as part of a lifestyle routine.

The treatments at our Bundaberg massage studio are so much more than just relaxation or pain management. By integrating massage therapy into your life as a weekly routine, you are not only going to improve your overall health, but also enjoy increased focus and happiness. But that’s not all. Here are 4 surprising benefits of regular holistic massage therapy.

1. Increased Clarity

Holistic massage therapy’s surprising benefits on your mind

Life can get pretty hectic at times and if we are not careful, we can end up feeling absolutely drained. Not just physically, but emotionally, too. Massage therapy allows us to distance ourselves from the stresses of everyday and untangle from any emotional baggage. It quite literally clears our mind and emotional energy. It increases our capacity to think and solve problems, allowing us to make better decisions in our personal lives and at work.

You will be leaving each session feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, able to focus on what matters most to you.

2. Increased Energy Levels

Holistic massage therapy’s surprising effect on your metabolism

Did you ever take a nap and then woke up feeling even more tired than before? Just like a used battery, our body loses it’s capacity to recharge at times. Holistic Massage Therapy will help you release any blocks that prevent your energy (in Chinese we call this ‘qi’) from flowing freely.

This improved energy flow results in better sleep which allows your body to recharge fully in a shorter period of time. The result: You will have more energy for longer periods of time.

3. Better, Deeper Sleep

Holistic massage therapy’s surprising effect on your sleep patterns

Research has shown that massages help decrease cortisol levels (cortisol is a hormone that is an integral part of your stress response) while increasing serotonin and dopamine production in your body (the hormones that contribute to good sleep and happiness). You will wake up feeling well rested and enjoy those increase happiness levels.  

4. Improved Self-Esteem

Holistic massage therapy’s surprising effect on your self-esteem

We all have that voice in our head that sometimes undermines our self-worth. The one that’s telling us we’re not good enough, too fat, too dumb, too selfish, too (fill in the blank)?

Massage therapy helps to silence that inner self-critic for a while.

Human touch and connection of a massage has been found to be soothing, to relieve pain and release any tension in your body. This too will help you feel better about yourself, increasing your confidence.

Taking that time out to treat yourself will have many surprising effects on your body and mind. Have you experienced any improvements or noticed any other benefits after a massage? Then leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear about it!

If you are looking to try a holistic approach to improving your mental and physical health, and to live a happier, pain-free life, come and try our massage therapy at our Bundaberg massage centre. We look forward to meeting you!

To you health & well-being,
Na