There are many different types of massage and this can make it seem like an arduous and frustrating task trying to decide which technique is needed for which situation. The most basic massages are: acupressure, deep muscle massage, connective tissue massage, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, infant massage, myofascial release, myotherapy, polarity therapy, rolfing, shiatsu, sports massage, Swedish massage, Thai massage, and trigger point massage.

Selecting the specific massage technique that is required to be effective depends on the expected outcome. Some massage techniques or very gentle and therefore relaxing. Other techniques work on a deeper level and help with postural structure, stimulate the nervous system and affect the muscles and bring a greater sense of balance and harmony within the body.

Stress is a normal part of life, however too much work and worries puts pressure on us mentally and affects us physically too. The body reacts to the stress by increasing hormonal release, tension, and muscle spasms and before you know it you may be experiencing neck, shoulder or back pain.

What is Acupressure Massage?

Manual Acupressure massage therapy applies pressure to specific body point to relieve body stress and help clear the energy flow, activate the nervous system and encourage muscles to relax.

Acupressure is a massage technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture, and which involves the placing of physical pressure by using a hand or elbow, as well as with the aid of various other specifically designed devices. It is the application of pressure or localized massage to specific sites on the body, and is even used to control such symptoms as nausea, pain, and sinusitis, asthma, stroke paralysis, sciatica and osteoarthritis.

Acupressure falls under the umbrella of Chinese Medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine does not treat illness but analyses imbalances and patterns of disharmony in the body. The philosophy is based on how the illness energetically manifests in a particular individual. 

Chinese healing modalities focus on the principle of movement. When energy is stuck in the body it is due to blockages of Qi in the meridians, resulting in patterns of dysfunction. The three main factors that lead to imbalance are emotions, environment, and life-style. Once the conditions disappear, so do the causes of the illness. However, the best cure is always prevention.

This type of massage technique derived from traditional Chinese medicine is often used for pain relief and which works by involving pressure on particular points in the body which are noted and labelled as acupressure points. This again, is how it relates to that of acupuncture, as with acupuncture as well there is the importance of locating certain points in the body and placing pressure on these to relieve pain and relax the body.

The Acupressure massage primarily uses thumbs, fingertips and forearm in order to apply pressure massage on the proper pressure points. Besides the use of pressure, there is also often the use of cold or light massage on very specific parts of the body, and it is used to bring about relief through greater balance and circulation of the energies in the body.

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