Of the many types of massage from Swedish, hot stone, deep tissue, sports, aroma therapy to foot reflexology, it’s important to learn them in qualified schools in order to obtain a certification to practice.
Your massage school Chicago may even offer the more exotic forms of massage: prenatal, lymphatic, Shiatsu, Thai or energy massage. Upon graduation, you’ll probably find that having an extensive understanding of massage techniques will be helpful in deciding what type or types of massage techniques you’ll use professionally.
Earn your certificate in as little as nine months or earn an Associate Degrees in two years. Learn how to use the power of touch to put an end to human suffering. Help alleviate chronic pain and restore medical, emotional and/or spiritual health. Learn body science in nine months along with the modalities of massage. In two years, go on to learn body science plus the business of massage as well as the Western and the Eastern modalities of massage.
The Main Difference between Western Massage and Eastern Massage
Western massage relieves muscle tension and promotes relaxation with strokes that include kneading or petrissage, gliding or effleurage, tapping or percussion, friction and vibration. The goal is to use anatomy and physiology to realign and restore the whole body. It often starts with one of three systems: the digestive, musculoskeletal and/or the nervous system.
Eastern massage soothes and stimulates meridian points creating effects that affect other sites on the body. This is done by exerting pressure and rocking and rolling the body as well as striking the body. This process is based on the balance of energy and the flow of energy throughout the body.
Examples of Western Massage
• Swiss Massage
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Myofascial Release
• Sports Massage
• Soft Tissue Massage
• Trigger Point Therapy
• Western movement therapy includes Pilates, the Trager Approach, Hellerwork, the Alexander
Technique, and Feldenkrais.
Examples of Eastern Massage
• Shiatsu Massage
• Thai Massage
• Hand and Foot Reflexology
• Energy Work
• Rocking and Shaking
• Acupressure
• Eastern movement therapy involves the types of actions used in yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
The most popular Western Technique of massage is the Swiss massage. This massage lasts from 50 to 90 minutes and focuses on warming up muscle tissue to release tension and adhesions or tight muscle knots. Massage oil is usually applied to the skin to promote relaxation. When pressure is applied it may initially hurt but should lead to relaxed muscles free of tension.
The most common among the Eastern massage techniques is the shiatsu massage. Shiatsu is a Japanese technique that seeks to restore the balance of energy in the body. It uses pressure points along the meridians along with stretching, breathing and rotating to improve the balance of energy.
The massage student is wise to learn the basics of all the Western and Eastern techniques and specialize in the techniques that they can master. You’ll more easily find employment at a spa, medical office, sports clinic or holistic center when you have a good grasp of your options. Your training may also lead to a growing private massage practice. Whatever avenue you select, the first step is getting an education as a massage therapist.