Extending The Benefits of Massage TherapyHolistic Therapies

How To Take The Benefits of Massage Therapy Home With You

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We all know that the benefits of getting a massage are many. From stress relief to improvements in sleep, to increased mental health, a massage can do wonders.

However, so often we dive right back into reality and the massage is forgotten just hours after we received it. Wouldn’t it be nice to hang on to your “massage high” for a little longer? Well, we can’t send the masseuse home with you but there are things you can do to immerse yourself in your post-massage state for a while, even after returning home.

3 ways to prolong the effects of a relaxing massage

Here are 3 simple ways to stay in a relaxed state after your massage.

1. Infuse Your Home With Fragrance

Reed Diffusers are a great way to fill your home with a calming scent. Fragrances can completely change our state of mind. That’s why you’ll notice that many massage clinics like we do at Holistic Therapies, use essential oils to provide a calm and rejuvenating environment for guests.

Diffusers come in all shapes and sizes and some are more expensive than others. Reed diffusers are great because they are all-natural and don’t require power to run, which makes them easy to place anywhere in your home.

If you’re looking for an affordable reed diffuser with a luxurious touch, check out K-Luxxe, another amazing local Bundy business that hand-blends all their fragrances right here in Bundaberg. They even offer a free $10 gift card on their website for new customers here.

2. Play Relaxing Music and Spread Good Vibes

Like fragrance, music can have healing powers and positively affect our mental and emotional states. Many streaming services, like Spotify or Apple Music, have curated playlists with beautifully relaxing sounds. What’s great is that you can take your music with you anywhere. Try listening to relaxing instrumental sounds at the park after your massage next time or while walking on the beach.

Our energy and intentions also have a great impact on our environment. A beautiful way to keep reminding ourselves to keep a positive mind is to make use of a wishing tree. A wishing tree is a special tree that is decorated with small messages or intentional notes. Wishing Trees date as far back as the 1700s, and have been noted in many different cultures all around the world. But apart from being purely ornamental, it is believed that if heartfelt wishes and blessings are tied to the branches of a Wishing Tree, the universe will hear these messages and bring them into existence.

Having a wishing tree at home is a beautiful way to remind you of all the good things in your life.

3. Make Use of Candles & Warm, Indirect Lighting

The lighting in your home can really set the mood and influence how you feel. Try replacing bright white lights with warm ones or indirect lighting. Warm light is a lot more gentle on the eyes and gives your retina a break. Dimming your lights an hour before bedtime can also promote better sleep for yourself and your family.

Another great option is the use of scented candles. There are many candles available that smell wonderful, however, beware of cheap products as they often contain toxic materials that can be harmful when inhaled for too long.

Again, K-Luxxe has a beautiful range of scented candles available, made locally in Bundaberg using only high-quality eco soy wax and non-toxic ingredients.

When we combine these three things – fragrance, music and low lighting – we can appreciate the benefits of a good massage a little longer.

Click here to claim a complimentary K-Luxe gift card to enjoy a $10 store credit towards scented candles, reed diffusers, air fresheners and more.

Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain in BundabergHolistic Therapies
Na Chen

Massage Therapy for Chronic Pain – Does it really work?

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Did you know that the word ‘massage’ means deep relaxation and relief from stress? Deep tissue massage can help in easing chronic pains and assist in easing muscle tensions. That is the reason why the best massage therapists focus not only on the area where the pain arises, but they follow a holistic massage approach, that focuses on the entire body and how it affects the soft tissue.

Many people visit our Bundaberg massage clinic after they experienced sports injuries, like from CrossFit for example, or another occupational injury. Others find our holistic massage approach helps them ease back pain and reduce stress. Massage therapy has even shown to drastically reduce anxiety and boost the immune system.

With computers being a big part of our day nowadays and the lack of movement, many people suffer from lower back pain, migraines and especially neck pain, which can become intolerable. Back pain and migraine massage are some of the most requested treatments at our massage clinic here in Bundaberg. In fact, most people visit us to reduce some kind of chronic pain.

Bundaberg healing massage

Neck pain massage Bundaberg

How Effective Is Massage Therapy For Chronic Pain?

Massage Therapy Helps Ease Chronic Pain. Back pain and menstruation pain are quite common, and many people go straight to painkillers. But painkillers will only eliminate the pain temporarily and not help in getting to the root of the cause. When we take painkillers, our body stops sending pain receptors to our brain, thus we do not feel the pain anymore; However, it doesn’t treat the actual problem itself. Massage Therapy will.

Bundaberg Massage Therapist For Chronic Pain

Our experienced Bundaberg massage therapists can help soothe your pains by working on the root cause. Some other benefits you might experience after just a few sessions are:

  • Improved flexibility of the joints, as well as
  • Reduced muscle stiffness

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Massage therapy increases the number of endorphins, which is the hormone that acts as a natural painkiller in our body. Furthermore, a good massage will not only treat the root cause of chronic pains, but it will also create a sense of well-being by restoring balance in your body, both on a biochemical and emotional level.

Who Needs a Massage Therapist?

Massage therapy will work for patients with arthritis, lower back pain, menstruation pain, migraines, as well as various other chronic pains. With more regular massage treatments, we have seen our patients’ posture improve, which in turn reduces the risk of future injuries and unnecessary muscles tension.

Massage therapy is also a safe treatment for pregnant women; a regular massage during the pregnancy can help with easier delivery, while post-natal massage will assist with getting your body back in shape, as it stimulates blood flow and your body’s natural healing processes.

Massage to ease muscle tension

Massage to ease muscle tension

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is becoming more and more popular in Bundaberg and is recognised as a treatment for alleviating different types of body pains. Recent research shows that massage therapy has many other potential health benefits, including:

  • It increases the flow and circulation of blood that brings the nutrients the muscles need. This, in turn, helps in easing the soreness of the muscles caused by physical injuries like a muscle strain.
  • People suffering from muscle tension can also find relief with massage therapy. Reduced muscle tension can improve the flexibility of the muscles, and thus, improved sleep is often a natural result, too.
  • A good massage will improve your mood because the ‘feel-good’ chemicals are released from the body. This chemical goes by the name of, ‘mood enhancer’ because it fights against depression and anxiety.

If you would like to speak to us about specific pain you are experiencing that is not mentioned here, feel free to contact us via our contact page or our Facebook page.

 

Bundaberg Massage TherapistHolistic Therapies Bundaberg
Na Chen

3 Things Your Massage Therapist Wants You To Know 

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There’s nothing worse than leaving the spa feeling unrelaxed or still tight in muscles. Even though we are trained to help your body, however massage therapists can’t read your mind, The best way is to tell us your preference of therapists, pressure, or massage types when you book your appointment. This will help ensure you’re matched with someone who will be able to best work with your needs—for example, relaxation vs. deep tissue injury work.  Here are 3 things every caring massage therapist would want you to know before you come in to get a massage.

1) Speak Up

As a massage therapist, we try our best to understand your needs and your preference of massage. Either the room temperature or massage pressure, so please Speak Up! We love to hear you asking us to do “more of this” or “less of that,” and it will be great opportunity for us to understand you so that we can plan your long-term treatment plan.  During the massage, please don’t be afraid to tell us if something we are doing is uncomfortable, the pressure is not right, or if you have a question about a particular treatment. We will give you a form to fil to try to undertand you better at the start of session and we plan to work on your sore or tight area more but please Be sure to ask us to spend more time on a certain area if that is what you want—at the end of the session is too late, and this is your massage!

2) We Don’t Judge

As a health services provider, we care only for you, without any kind of prejudices. All of our treatment is focused on making sure you feel good and relaxed. not only about yourself, but about your own skin and bones, and improving your body so you can live a fuller and relaxed life after meeting with us. Sometimes, the society that often judges people based on their size.  I promise you that I am not passing judgement on your lifestyle or what you look like. I am just happy that you are taking time to do something good for yourself no matter what size you happen to be. Massage can actually be a great tool to help people reach and maintain a healthy weight, and it makes me sad to think of how many people don’t utilize it out of fear of judgement.  Whether you feel that you are too big, or too small, never let your size be what keeps you from getting a massage. 

3) It Is Perfectly Fine To Just Let Go And Snore a little

I feel most satisfied when I hear my clients have deep sighs or breathing or falling sleep and snore. That way I know that you are getting relaxed and already let go. I am most certain that after the massage session you will feel rejuvenated and recharged. I take it as a compliment that my place is comfortable enough, and my treatment skilled enough that you feel comfortable to drift off. It takes much more than a little snoring to offend a trained professional and you obviously need the rest anyway. Might as well catch a few sleeps on the table and wake up feeling refreshed. When you fall asleep, your nervous system still regulates, your muscle tissue and ligaments still soften, release, and let go. The manipulation of joints still creates more space, and the lymphatic and circulatory systems are still stimulated. When you awake, you may have no memory of massage. We assure you that all the glorious benefits are still reaped by physical, emotional, and mental states. With the right therapist and treatment you should wake up feeling refreshed like someone has pressed the reset button. Give yourself permission to let go and drift off. We gently wake you up when the treatment is over. At the same time, we will be here, taking care of the rest of you.

In Need For A Massage? Here’s a $25 Massage Voucher!

We would love to welcome you at our Bundaberg Massage Clinic! To help you get started, we’d love to send you a $25 Massage Voucher that you can use for any of our treatments and massage packages. Click here to claim yours now!

Best Rated Massage in BundabergHolistic Therapies Bundaberg
Na Chen

3 Surprising Ways To Ease Your Back Pain

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Most of my clients come to our Bundaberg massage therapy clinic because of pain, predominantly back pain. These three massages are the most common, safe and effective treatment I do to help my customers with pain relief.

1. Deep Tissue Massage

A simple way to describe the treatment is that it is a massage that can feel slightly painful, yet make you feel relaxed at the same time. But first of all, what exactly is a deep tissue massage?

Deep Tissue massage is working with the layers of the back tissues and focused on relaxing and lengthening these tissues to improve their blood flow, their flexibility, and their overall function. The purpose of deep tissue massage is to work deeply into and with these back tissues in the most efficient way possible. For example, with back pain, our primary goal is less about general relaxation but more about promoting change in the back structure by releasing muscular and fascial restrictions. Generally, after the back muscles loosen up, the level of pain will be reduced significantly. My goal as a massage therapist is not to try to reverse the structural damage in the body, rather maintain the impact of these changes and manage the pain. For example, it is hard to reverse a herniated disk, but we can use different ways to maintain the pain level.

We also need to know what a deep tissue massage is NOT:

  • A hard, painful massage
  • A massage that follows the “No Pain, No Gain” motto
  • A massage requiring extraordinary strength and effort
  • A massage which causes the recipient to be sore for days afterward

Remember that properly executed deep tissue work should not cause the client to grit their teeth in agony. On the contrary, it should be performed with great sensitivity to the client’s comfort level and can be a deeply relaxing experience.

2. Dry Needling

Have you been suffering from low back pain? Have you tried so many things and nothing seems to work? I think it is time then to give dry needling a go! There are different causes of lower back pain. However, in a massage therapist’s perspective, it is caused by stiff “knots” of spinal muscles and tissues. These knots harden and squeeze the muscles to the point that it restricts movement and causes pain. In most cases, pain is not only localised on the back, but it can travel to other parts of the body such as the hip, abdomen, buttocks, and thigh. In recent times, dry needling has grown in popularity in Bundaberg, due to its effectiveness. There are a few explanations for how dry needling can help in managing your back pain. One is that dry needling stimulates blood flow. With increased blood supply in the affected muscles and tissues, there will be more nutrients and oxygen delivered to the cells, which are both essential for fast healing. Some people also believe it helps in blocking pain signals. By preventing pain receptors from receiving pain chemicals and keeping it from reaching the brain, a person receives immediate relief.

As painful as it may look, the insertion of needles is relatively painless. Every now and then, you would feel your muscle twitch as the needles reach your tissues and muscles. This twitch can sometimes feel like a cramp and it may last up to 10 seconds. Muscle soreness commonly occurs and may last up to 24 hours after your dry needling session. As this might be the case, you will soon experience the long-term benefits of dry needling.

3. Cupping

Cupping is a very effective and safe treatment for back pain. Cupping is able to loosen stiff muscles, unblock pinched nerves, and unbind myofascial adhesions. In traditional cupping, a small fire is inserted into a glass cup which creates a vacuum. The cup is quickly placed onto the patient’s back, shoulders, hips or legs. The cup instantly pulls on the muscles and tissues up into the cup. This suction draws the blood to the surface and helps to relax tight and bound muscle tissue. This therapy is very good for when there is a lot of stagnant blood and Qi. For safety reasons we use vacuum cupping which has the same effect, but doesn’t make the smoke alarm go off.

Cupping is often used together with acupuncture and massage therapy to increase the muscle relaxing and pain-relieving effects. When used together, these three treatments can provide powerful pain relief and loosening of tight muscle tissues, and thus help with reducing pain realign spine. Often Cupping will tend to leave a circular bruise which should last about 3 to 5 days. Cupping is not overly painful however a little bit of pain is absolutely normal. It feels like a really good deep tissue massage, unwinding deep knots in your muscles. In China, we also use Cupping to treat common cold or for detoxing. Cupping draws toxins out of the tissues and out through the skin. It improves lymphatic drainage to help the body fight off infections and muscle tension.

In Need For A Massage? Here’s a $25 Massage Voucher!

We would love to welcome you at our Bundaberg Massage Clinic! To help you get started, we’d love to send you a $25 Massage Voucher that you can use for any of our treatments and massage packages. Click here to claim yours now!

History of Massage Therapy Bundaberg
Na Chen

The History of Massage Therapy

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Read a timeline of massage therapy’s evolution.

History of Massage Therapy Bundaberg

 

The Origins of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy history dates back thousands of years to ancient cultures that believed in it’s medical benefits. The first written records of massage therapy are found in China and Egypt.

2700 BCE: The first known Chinese text is called “The Yellow Emperor’s Classic Book of Internal Medicine.” This book was first published in English in 1949, but has become a staple in massage therapy training and is also often used as a textbook for teaching many other forms of alternative medicine such as acupuncture, acupressure and herbology.

2500 BCE: Egyptian tomb paintings show that massage therapy was also a part of their medical tradition. Egyptians get the credit for pioneering reflexology. Their studies and traditions greatly influenced other cultures such as the Greeks and Romans.

1500 and 500 BCE: The first known written massage therapy traditions come from India, but practice may have actually originated around 3000 BCE or earlier. Hindus used the art of healing touch in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda, a Sanskrit word, translates to “life health” or “life science.” It is regarded as the basis of holistic medicine, combining meditation, relaxation massage and aromatherapy.

 

Into the West

Early 1800s: It was from this early massage therapy history that the Swedish doctor, gymnast and educator Per Henril Ling developed a method of movement known as the “Swedish Movement System.” This is regarded as the foundation for Swedish massage most commonly used in the West today.

Although the “Swedish Movement System” was developed by Ling, it was Dutchman Johan Georg Mezger who defined the basic hand strokes of Swedish massage.

Today the most common types of massage practiced in the western hemisphere are Swedish massage and the Japanese massage practice of Shiatsu.

 

Where the Industry Is Going

Considering the long history of massage, its incorporation into Western medicine is only in its infancy. The potential for growth and research of the healing properties of therapeutic massage and body work has gained great momentum over the last fifty years, and the public demand for massage therapy is at an all-time high.

As a preventative practice, therapeutic massage is used in spas, gyms and work places all over the country. Using massage therapy to promote balance and maintain internal and external health is something that is now a standard part of the North American lifestyle.

In the health care industry, massage is commonly used in hospitals, nursing homes and birthing centres, as well at massage clinics. It is also used in physical therapy and in chiropractic clinics to treat pain, increase circulation and expedite the healing of injured muscles.

 

This article was originally published at https://www.allalliedhealthschools.com/massage-therapist/massage-therapy-history/

Pain Relief Massage Bundaberg
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4 Surprising Effects & Benefits of Pain Relief Massage

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According to a recent study, pain is the biggest reason why nearly 80 percent of Australians visit a physician or a doctor. The trouble is that most pain relief medications are riddled with side effects and are quite addictive. To make matters worse, some are even ineffective against certain types of pain.

Luckily, if the pain you are experiencing has affected the quality of your life, professional, holistic massage therapy can help. The good news is that a good massage offers natural pain relief. And the best part? Our pain relief massage in Bundaberg has zero side effects!

4 Surprising Effects & Benefits of Pain Relief Massage

Below, we are going to walk you through a four-point advantage of embracing our highly sought-after pain relief massage in Bundaberg. Read on to learn more about the benefits of including massage as part of your natural pain relief management in Bundaberg.

#1. Pain Relief Massage leads to Improved Mood and Reduced Anxiety

There’s nothing that makes pain, especially migraine pains or back pains, unbearable quite like a foul mood or anxiety attacks. A number of recent studies has revealed that increased levels of stress hormones are associated with chronic pain. When you get a pain relief massage at our Bundaberg massage clinic, you are bound to be relaxed and calmed, reducing depression and anxiety.

As a natural pain relief in Bundaberg, massage offers a holistic approach to pain management. Further research has also shown that pain relief massage is highly effective and safe for managing chronic pains associated with fibromyalgia, diabetes, arthritis, and other similar ailments. The good thing is that you don’t have to get long sessions of massage to reap the benefits. Even 25 mins of our specialised pain relief massage in Bundaberg can do the trick for your mood and anxiety.

#2. Our Pain Relief Massage in Bundaberg is Compatible with Other Treatments

Pain relief massage Bundaberg is not only effective on its own, but it’s also compatible with other treatments, such as pain meds, heat-and-ice therapy, exercise, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Besides, it’s calming and enjoyable!

#3. Helps Release Endorphins and Serotonin

With a massage, you are not only receiving natural pain relief Bundaberg, but your body is also induced to release the “feel-good” neurochemicals called serotonin and endorphins. These natural compounds have the same influence as opioids without the adverse side effects and addiction.

#4. Induces Deep, Restorative Sleep

Constant pain can keep you from having enough quality sleep. And sleep, as they say, is the best medicine. Getting a good night’s rest helps uplift your mood, boost your immune system, and even relieve pain. Turns out, receiving at least 30 minutes of our best-in-class pain relief massage in Bundaberg can do wonders for your sleep.

Ready to say goodbye to pain, for good? Book an appointment online with us today for a natural healing and pain relief massage in Bundaberg that you’ll walk away from feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and pain-free!

Bundaberg Massage Therapist Gift Voucher
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7 Proven Benefits of Reflexology and Remedial Massage

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We all know that a deep, well-executed massage can do wonders for every aspect of your being. It can calm your mind, re-energise your body, and reinvigorate your spirit. But, our remedial massage in Bundaberg offers much more than that.

What’s Reflexology and Remedial Massage?

Remedial massage is a specialised therapeutic form of massage that brings together a slew of styles and techniques, such as reflexology, deep-tissue massage, and trigger-point therapy. It’s especially designed to focus on treating specific injuries and repairing damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissue. Our personalised remedial massage in Bundaberg will be tailored to your needs.

Reflexology massage, on the other hand, is based on 4,000-year Traditional Chinese Medicine technique. It often entails a reflexology massage applying gentle pressure to particular areas in your ears, feet, and hands. These parts are thought to align your chi and affect particular reflex zones in your body. You’ll be glad to know that, based on independent customer ratings, we offer one of Bundaberg’s best reflexology massage. 

7 Proven Benefits of Reflexology and Remedial Massage

#1. Relieves Aches and Chronic Pains

If migraines, neck pain, back pain, headaches, or lower back-aches are giving you sleepless nights, we’ve got great news for you. Reflexology can help get rid of all these pains and aches that affect quality of your life. What’s more, it can also relieve tension in tendons, muscles, and other connective tissues that cause most of these pains. Find out more about our holistic pain relief massage.

#2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Nothing relaxes quite like a good dose of reflexology massage in Bundaberg. It’s been known to open neural pathways which induces a state of relaxation and calmness throughout your body. As you might already know, relaxation reduces the level of stress hormones, enabling you to say adieu to stress, anxiety, and other depressive symptoms.

#3. Boosts the Immune System

High concentration of stress hormones in your body can impair your immunity. That’s where remedial massage can come in handy. It dials down stress hormone, allowing your immune system to work with high proficiency. Besides, massage boosts circulation which, in turn, increase lymphatic drainage.

#4. Calms your Nerve

By opening neural pathways, reflexology enhances synaptic function in your central nervous system and improves your cognitive abilities.

#5. Increases Circulation

When you receive our award-winning reflexology massage in Bundaberg, you can expect a boost in your blood circulation and supply of oxygen throughout the body.

#6. Heals Insomnia and Fatigue

Thanks to remedial massage, your muscles will be relaxed. Moreover, it reduces stress and stress hormones in your body, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep.

#7. IBS Treatment

If you’re looking for an effective, alternative treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, look no further than our holistic reflexology massage in Bundaberg.

These are just but a few benefits of reflexology and remedial massage. It can also boost your energy levels (as well as productivity), relieve menopause symptoms, and lower blood pressure, just to mention a few.

Give our friendly team of Bundaberg Massage Therapists a call today or simply book your appointment online.

Chinese Cupping & Dry Needling
Na Chen

Benefits of Chinese Cupping & Dry Needling in Bundaberg

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Dry needling and Chinese cupping might be all the rage right now in Australia, but they are not new concepts. These alternative therapies have been part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 8,000 years. In fact, historical medical texts show that cupping therapy dates back to ancient Egypt 1500 BC. 

History aside, both Chinese cupping and dry needling offer plenty of benefits. What’s more, you’ll be glad to know that we offer unmatched Chinese cupping in Bundaberg. If you also need top-notch dry needling or Acupuncture in Bundaberg, we’ve got you covered!

First Things First: What is Dry Needling?

Dry needling is a form of therapy that makes use of tiny, solid-centre needles to relieve muscle aches and pains. If you have received acupuncture in Bundaberg, then you might have a rough idea of what dry needling is. Nonetheless, there are fundamental differences between the two.

Dry needling uses precise intramuscular stimulation to promote healing, relieve pain, and enhance a range of motion. More importantly, this technique doesn’t make use of any drugs or medication. How is it different from our acupuncture in Bundaberg? 

Acupuncture is based on the TCM premise that life generates energy (called Chi or Qi) that flows through our body along particular pathways (called meridians). As such, any blockage, interruption or slow-down of chi can lead to ailments and pain. Thankfully, our dry needling in Bundaberg helps unblock and release the flow of chi.

How Will Receiving High-Quality Dry Needling in Bundaberg Help Me?

Our dry needling sessions at our Bundaberg massage clinic help break down tight tendons, muscles, trigger points, and other sources of chronic pains. If you suffer from any kind of pain that travels, muscular tension, and pains in your arms, shoulders, wrists, lower back, hamstrings, and so on, you should consider dry needling.

What is Chinese Cupping?

Chinese cupping is a technique in which our Bundaberg therapists place small cups on your skin to cause suction. Usually made of bamboo, earthenware, silicone or glass, these cups help break up stagnation and congestion of energy (chi), blood, and a plethora of other humors. More often than not, our specialist combine Chinese cupping and dry needling in Bundaberg. However, it can be effective on its own.

5 Reasons You Should Consider Chinese Cupping in Bundaberg?

Cupping helps encourage healthy blood flow and increases supply of nutrients and oxygen to vital organs, including the brain. Some additional benefits of cupping therapy include:

  • Stress relief: cupping therapy can help relief anxiety, stress, and other depressive symptoms.
  • Skincare and beauty: it’s been known to clear acne and other skin blemishes
  • Treat rheumatic ailments like fibromyalgia and arthritis
  • It can help improve fertility
  • Relief pains and aches, such as migraines, headaches, back pain, neck pains, and lower-back pains

Give our friendly team a call today or simply book your appointment online to experience the benefits of Chinese cupping for yourself.

Traditional Chinese Massage Therapy Bundaberg
Na Chen

What Is Chinese Massage? Bringing Holistic Healing to Bundaberg

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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
Na Chen

4 Surprising Benefits Of Holistic Massage Therapy

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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