Get Started in Massage

by Denise Whichello Brown

Overview

Important insight into the relationship between mind and body along with the necessary skills for giving safe, effective massages—for general readers or serious students
 

A good massage does more than just relax a person; it can relieve stress, sports injuries, and even sexual dysfunction. Helping aspiring masseuses to understand what's happening in their bodies, this resource offers practical guidance on massage for therapeutic and healing purposes. Step-by-step diagrams and a breakdown of which oils to use and when accompany sections on sports injuries, massage for pregnancy and babies, and self-massage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781444101065
Publisher:	Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd.
Publication date:	08/01/2011
Series:	Teach Yourself
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Denise Whichello Brown has been practicing alternative medicine for 30 years. She is the author of Beginner's Guide to Crystals, Reflexology Basics, Teach Yourself Detox, and Teach Yourself Hand Reflexology.

Table of Contents

Meet the author vii

Only got a minute? viii

Only got five minutes? x

Only got ten minutes? xiv

Introduction xxiii

1 The history and benefits of massage 1

History 1

Benefits 4

2 Setting the scene 8

Environment 8

Equipment 11

Contraindications (when not to massage) 16

3 Massage techniques 21

Effleurage/Stroking 21

Friction 24

Petrissage 27

Percussion movements/Tapotement 29

Vibration and shaking 33

Exercises for your hands 34

4 Step-by-step massage 38

Back of the body 40

Front of the body 53

Massage sequence memory jogger 72

5 Self-massage 78

6 Aromatherapy and massage 91

Essential oils 91

Bergamot 93

Chamomile (Roman) 94

Cypress 95

Eucalyptus 96

Frankincense 97

Geranium 97

Jasmine 98

Juniper 99

Lavender 100

Lemon 101

Neroli (orange blossom) 101

Peppermint 102

Rose 103

Rosemary 104

Sandalwood 105

Tea tree 105

7 Massage in pregnancy and childbirth 108

Benefits of massage 109

Special considerations 111

Back 112

Abdomen 115

Leg and foot 117

Arm, face and breast 119

Essential oils for pregnancy 120

Massage during labour 122

Essential oils for labour 124

Post-natal massage 124

Essential oils for post-natal care 125

8 Massage for babies 128

Benefits of massage 129

Special considerations 131

Suggested routine 133

Essential oils for baby 141

9 Sports injuries 144

The importance of exercise 144

The benefits of massage 145

Pre-event massage 146

Post-event massage 147

Treatment 147

A-Z of sports injuries 151

Emergency aid 162

10 Massage in the workplace 165

11 A healthy lifestyle 171

Massage 171

Healthy diet 173

Exercise 176

Taking it further 186

Basic anatomy 186

Further reading 233

Useful addresses 234

Test your knowledge answers 236

Index 244