Asian Massage Therapy techniques are a legitimate type of massage therapy that is unfortunately often confused with ‘those other types of massage parlors that give happy endings’ or in other words Brothels Doing Business as Massage Parlors/Massage therapists aka Asian Massage Parlors. This needs to stop…but how…we don’t really have an answer or way.
Stop reading now if you are looking for a prostitute.
These are some the many varieties of Asian Massage. There are 49 countries in Asia so this list is nowhere near complete.
Acupressure – A system of balancing the body’s energy by applying pressure to specific acupoints to release tension and increase circulation. The many hands-on methods of stimulating the acupressure points can strengthen weaknesses, relieve common ailments, prevent health disorders and restore the body’s vital life force.
Amma – A specialized form of skilled (somatic) touch therapy that combines deep tissue bodywork with the application of pressure, friction and touch to specific acupoints, superficial primary and tendinomuscle energy channels, muscles, ligaments and joints. The techniques are aimed to remove blockages and free the flow of Qi (energy) in the body.
Types of Japanese Massage
AMMA Therapy® – A highly-refined and complex system of bodywork therapy utilizing techniques and treatment strategies combining the use of traditional Chinese medical principles for assessing and evaluating general imbalances in the energetic system and a Western approach to organ dysfunctions. The treatment includes the use of dietary therapy, herbs, nutritional supplements and the external application of herbal preparations.
Chi Nei Tsang – This is an entire system of Chinese deep healing that makes use of the energy flow of the five major systems in the body: vascular, lymphatic, nervous, tendon/muscle and acupuncture
meridians. With this practice, one is able to increase the energy flow to specific organs through massaging a series of points in the navel area.
Ashiatsu – The therapist uses their feet to massage and move upon a person’s body. From Japeness: shi for foot and atsu for pressure. There are many types of barefoot massage that have come from India, Japan, Thailand, China and the Philippines.
Types of Shiatsu
Shiatsu – Shiatsu means finger pressure and although Shiatsu is primarily pressure, usually applied with the thumbs, along the meridian lines, extensive soft tissue manipulation and both active and passive exercise and stretching may be part of the treatments. Japanese pressure therapy based on traditional Chinese medicine theories of meridians, pressure points which are the same as acupuncture points. Shiatsu evolved from anma, a Japanese style of massage developed in 1320 by Akashi Kan Ichi
Five Element Shiatsu – This method identifies a pattern of disharmony through use of the four examinations and to harmonize that pattern with an appropriate treatment plan. Radial pulse, palpation of the back and/or abdomen and a detailed verbal history serve to confirm the assessment.
Integrative Eclectic Shiatsu – This method utilizes Japanese Shiatsu techniques, traditional Chinese Medical theory and Western methods of soft tissue manipulation. Dietary and herbal methods are also included to create a comprehensive integrated treatment method.
Macrobiotic Shiatsu – This method supports a natural lifestyle and heightened instincts for improving health. Treatment involves non-invasive touch and pressure using hand and barefoot techniques and stretches to facilitate the flow of Qi (energy) and to strengthen the body-mind.
Shiatsu Anma Therapy – This method is based on the energetic system of Traditional Chinese Medicine in long form and contemporary pressure therapy which is based on neuro-musculo-skeletalsystem in short form.
Zen Shiatsu – This technique focuses on the use of meridian lines rather than on specific points. This form does not adhere to fixed sequence or set of methods that are applied to all. It utilizes appropriate methods for the unique pattern of each individual
Medical Qigong – This process is based on meridian and point theory that makes use of: breath training, psychosomatic exercises, meditation and guided visualization that direct the practitioners to create a place of health and balance in their clients.
Jin Shin Do® Bodymind Acupressure™ –This technique combines gentle yet deep finger pressure on acupoints with simple body focusing techniques, to help release physical and emotional tension. It promotes a pleasurable trance state during which the recipient can get in touch with the body and
access feelings or emotions related to the physical condition.
Thai Massage
Traditional Thai Bodywork (Nuad Bo ‘Rarn) – This utilizes hand techniques and an unique approach to passive movement and stretching in order to open up the veins or energy passages and release chronic tension from the body.
Thai Herbal Massage – Luk Pra Kob is an herbal compress has been used in Thailand. The ingredients in the compress are:
- Plai Plai in the ginger family is an anti-inflammatory.
- Kha-min (Tumeric) Tumeric rhizome is used as an anti-bacterial and anti-microbial
- Ta-kali (Lemon Grass) Ta-khaki leaf is found effective for healing fungal and bacterial infections.
- Puew Makrut (Kaffir Lime Peel) The rind of the Kaffir lime is used to treat dry skin and damaged hair and dandruff; It is a natural cleanser and a deodorizer.
- Kara Boon (Camphor) Kara Boon leaf is a diaphoretic which is good for asthma and upper respiratory problems.
Types of Chinese Massage
Tuina also called Anmo – A method of Chinese Bodywork characterized by the smooth gliding or rolling movements of the hands and arms. These techniques are used to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and internal organ disorders by opening stagnant meridian channels and encouraging the flow of Qi (energy) into deficient areas.
Types of massage from India
Ayurverda is a traditional Indian massage technique that focuses on applying pressure to the upper body, believing that the mind, body, and spirit are all parts of one unified truth, so anything that benefits one of those areas will bring positivity to the other.
Indian Head Massage or Champissage traditionally seated massage from late twentieth century from the Hindi and Urdu term for head, champi.