04/08/2020
Massage is often associated with a spa treatment, or something to do leisurely for relaxation. While this is one of the definitely one of the advantages to getting a massage, there are many other reasons why a medical massage is a health benefit.
But before we look at the benefits of massage, let us understand the rudiments of *The Meridian Massage*
What Is Meridian Massage (Tui-Na)?
Meridian Massage is one of the most well-known and professional remedial massage skills in Australia. It is done by a trained massage therapist and aim to help the body’s return to normal health after injury or with muscular-skeletal disorders. It is mainly used to treat chronic muscular-skeletal imbalances, strains, sprains, broken bones, bruising or any injury where the skin is intact.
What Are The Advantages Of Meridian Massage And How Does It Differ From Other Massage?
It’s an alternative medicine technique for relaxation and also treating various human disorders.
It is not only effective for joint pain (such as arthritis), sciatica, muscle spasms, and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders, but also helps chronic conditions such as insomnia, constipation, headaches, migraines, and the tension associated with stress.
Meridian massage is also used for conditions created by lifestyle, for example repetitive strain injury and back pain. It is designed to increase the flow of blood and lymph, particularly in the injured areas.
It is often successful where other forms of treatments have failed.
How Does Meridian Massage work?
Accredited remedial massage therapists apply adequate and appropriate pressure to the soft tissues of the body though a highly significant part. Massage works through the various body systems in one of two ways, a mechanical action and a reflex action.
A mechanical action is created by moving the muscles and soft tissues of the body using pressure and stretching movement, thereby cleansing them of acids and deposits. This mechanical action breaks up fibrous tissue and loosens stiff joints.
A reflex is created when treatment of one part of the body affects another part of the body, much like pressing a light switch on a wall to turn on a light at the centre of the room. Just like this electric connection, so too are different parts of the body connected to each other not just by flesh and bone but by nerve pathways, or flows of energy known as ‘meridians’. So, by using reflex action, some therapists will treat a patient’s stomach complaint by massaging the arms, and will alleviate pain in the legs by massaging the lower back.
A review of 10 benefits to receiving medical massage therapy:
Stress Relief
Stress can be carried in muscles. As these muscles get relaxed through massage, it can relieve tension within, therefore releasing stress held within.
Pain Relief
There are several ailments which are associated with pain. Being able to work out the “kinks” can decrease the pain developing in that specific area.
Reduce Inflammation
Often the muscles get inflamed due to intense workouts, or even certain conditions. Helping bring blood flow to these areas through massage can decrease the inflammation.
Improve Blood Circulation
Massage helps to move blood and oxygen through the body, the simple mechanics of a massage can do so. This helps to get blood flowing in areas it may need.
Increase Energy
Often a massage creates a sense of sleepiness or calmness, but often in those that have been injured and/or feeling lethargic, the massage can actually increase one’s energy levels because they feel they are able to do more.
Improve Digestion
There is a lot of research supporting how digestion is aided through massage. This may be due to increased peristalsis (the contraction of the muscles in the digestive tract), as massage has a positive effect on muscles.
Increased Sense of Calmness
Other than stress, there are other feelings such as anxiety, hyperactivity, pressure, that people experience daily. Massage can be a therapeutic way to release those emotions and bring a sense of calm and clarity to your mind as well as your body.
Help Treat Injuries
Injuries to the back, knee, neck/shoulder, and others are often coupled with some type of medical massage or physiotherapy. This is often to enhance movement and aid the healing of the affected area.
Improve Posture
If one is carrying any injury, ailment, or tension the tendency to slouch increases. Massage can help avoid this by relieving that tension along the neck and spine, which plays a pivotal role in posture.
Alleviate Headaches
Headaches can be caused due to pain in the neck and shoulders, stress, or even pinched nerves. Since a professional massage can help decrease the issues associated with any of these, they inadvertently also help to decrease headaches.
Our meridian massage methods include the special hand techniques to treat the soft tissue (muscles and tendons) of the body, acupressure techniques to directly affect the encourage of body energy, and sports massage techniques to realign the musculoskeletal and ligamentous relationships (bone-setting) and the use of our meridian massage machine.
Some common conditions that can be successfully treated are:
Achilles Tendon
Tendinitis
Shin Splints
Groin Strain
Cartilage damage
Tennis Elbow
Frozen Shoulder
Hamstring Injuries
Plantar Fasciitis
Scar tissue
Adhesions
Whiplash
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive Strain Injury.
At TCM Health Care, our practitioners integrates Chinese massage into your treatment plan together with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for the best possible outcome.
World class!
Book an Appointment today!