Many people are unaware of the advantages of receiving routine massages. To most, it just appears to be a simple form of relaxation that is a pleasant investment every once in a while, but in actuality, it is a powerful form of healing and renewal. Receiving routine massages can improve the quality of many aspects of your life such as reducing fatigue, enhancing concentration, relieving and preventing aches and pains, regulating blood pressure, relieving stress, improving attitude, and most importantly, bringing balance to your life force, also known as your qi (khee).
There are many forms of massage, all of which have their own unique purposes and benefits. The forms that we would like to call attention to are the traditional Chinese foot massage, also referred to as foot reflexology, and the shiatsu massage. These forms of massage both primarily focus on stimulating the meridian points and clearing any blockages in the energy flow of one’s qi. Those that practice these ancient forms of massage believe that a blockage in the flow one’s qi can have adverse effects on a person’s daily life and overall health. An obstructed life force energy flow can cause distraction, sleep loss, depression, irritability, and it can even hinder the body’s ability to heal itself and ward off illnesses.
Foot reflexology is understood to have originated in China over 3,000 years ago. It was developed by studying and understanding the meridians, or energy lines, of the foot and how applying pressure to these meridians can stimulate internal organ activity and improve blood and lymph circulation. This form of massage also indirectly improves heart health through simple stress relief. Foot reflexology is a holistic treatment meaning that its focus is on the treatment of the whole person rather than particular ailments.
Shiatsu is also understood to have been developed in China, at which point it was simply known as ‘anma’. Anma eventually made its way to the Japanese and has continued to gradually evolve into the shiatsu used today. Shiatsu is a Japanese word meaning finger (shi) pressure (atsu). The focus of the massage is applying pressure in all of the right places to bring balance to one’s qi. The physical touch of shiatsu can be used to assess the distribution of qi throughout the body and correct any imbalances. Receiving this form of massage will leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.
References
Origin of foot massage. (2014). Retrieved from LOHAS in Taiwan
Shiatsu. (n.d.). Retrieved from Holistic Online
Traditional Chinese Foot Massage. (n.d.). Retrieved from Tina's Health Wellness Centre
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