Modern medicine
often underestimates the power of massage both emotionally and physically. Massage therapy means many things to
many people. A recently published article identifies more than 80 different styles of
massage, many of which have been developed in the past 30 years. Below is a brief overview of
massage styles offered by Whelehans Pharmacy’s resident Chinese Medicine
Practitioner Eddie Eddie.
Swedish Massage
This is the most common style of massage
practised in Ireland. Swedish massage is based on the western concepts of anatomy and
physiology as opposed to energy work that is more common in Asian-style massage, such as
Tui Na. This is a gentle, relaxing massage that is the foundation for most other types of western
massage, including sports and aromatherapy massage. Good for – introduction to massage,
stress relief and relaxation.
Massage with the use of
Herbal Poultices
A Poultice is a blend of mud, clay, wax or
other base material with medicinal herbs which is heated and applied to the body. The
usage of poultices dates back to ancient times. Through the years the technique
has been honed and evolved to utilise the best materials and to deliver the best medicinal
effect. While it may appear similar to the use of mud or clay in a spa
setting; a herbal poultice is different in that it is done
specifically for medical effect rather than cosmetic reasons. Herbal poultices
are used widespread in China and can be found in most hospitals. A poultice
is a unique drug delivery system. The heat opens the pores of the skin which
allows the herbal medicine to diffuse through the skin and then into the
bloodstream via the local capillaries. This technique avoids any drug allergy effects and bypasses
complications from medication needing to pass through the digestive tract. Poultice therapy is
that it can be applied virtually anywhere on the body and different herbal
formulas can be used to treat a variety of conditions. Good for - increasing the flow of
blood to an injury, relaxing tense muscles, soothing inflamed tissues, or drawing toxins
from an infected area.
Deep Tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic massage
where deep pressure is applied to muscles and/or connective tissue in order
to correct issues such as muscle strains from sporting activity. This is not a relaxing
massage, and many people can be slightly sore for a day or two afterwards due to lactic
acid being flushed from their muscles. For the relief of chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime, an
integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and relaxation techniques
often produces the best results. Good for - sports injuries, breaking
down scar tissue, chronically tight and painful muscles.
Trigger Point Massage
A trigger point is a tight area within muscle
tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body, for example a trigger point in
the back, may produce referred pain in the neck.
Trigger point massage focuses on specific areas
of the body, rather than massaging the whole body. In this technique deep pressure is
applied to specific points within a muscle in order to allow it to relax. Deep tissue and trigger
point massages are very similar. The main difference is that deep tissue massage uses various traditional
massage techniques to work the tissue, whereas trigger point massage is literally looking to manipulate
or press on that one point that releases the tension in a muscle, thus deactivating the
trigger point and stopping the pain. Good for- muscular aches that
conventional massage doesn’t resolve (often the muscles in the painful area are not
tight).
Myofascial Release
Fascia is a thin, tough, elastic type of connective
tissue that wraps most structures within the human body, including
muscle. Fascia supports and protects these structures. Fascia is normally pliable allowing for normal
movement while providing support. Injury or tension resulting from repetitive motion or poor
posture can result in the fascia and muscles it connects to tensing up. Pain or soreness caused by
fascial restriction typically won’t show on a CAT Scan, MRI or X- Ray and many people can suffer
unnecessary as a result. Myofascial release is a soft tissue therapy for the treatment of
skeletal muscle pain or immobility. This is not typically a deep massage as myofascial release uses
stretching movements and sustained pressure to loosen myofascial restrictions. Good for – aches and pains of an unspecific nature.
Tui Na Massage
Tui Na has developed continuously in China for
over 5000 years. Tui Na and acupuncture use the same meridians and points and
they are both based in traditional Chinese medicine for diagnosis: seeing, touching, palpating and
questioning. Many of the techniques used in this massage resemble western massage including
gliding, kneading, vibration, tapping, friction, pulling, rolling, pressing
and shaking. It is the use of acupuncture points and meridians combined with traditional diagnostic
skills that make it unique. One of the many advantages of Tui Na is that it can be taught to a
patient as a remedial therapy to
perform daily as a routine to support the
healing process. In China, Tui Na is subdivided into specialized treatment for,
orthopedics, traumatology, rehabilitation, sports medicine, etc.
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine Clinic
at Whelehans Pharmacy
Eddie Dowd (BSc Ac, BSc CHM, Dip
Tuina, MATCMI) runs Mullingar Chinese Medicine
and Massage Therapy Clinic at Whelehans Pharmacy. Call 083 1229363 or email eddiedowdtcm@yahoo.co.uk to book or to enquire. Clinics are Monday 8:30am-2pm and Thursday 8:30am to 6pm.
Thanks to Eddie for help with this article.
Disclaimer: Chinese or traditional medicine should NOT be
seen as an alternative to assessment and treatment from your GP or other
healthcare professional. Chinese medicine can however compliment conventional
medicine.
For
comprehensive and free health advice and information call in to Whelehans, log
on to www.whelehans.ie or dial 04493 34591.
