Massage Techniques

Lesson 1: The Basics of Massage. The benefits of massage and its effects on the body; qualifications for giving a good massage; creating a relaxing environment suitable for massage; equipment and materials; types of massage; give a massage using a simple sequence and basic strokes; general contraindications and parts of the body to avoid; selecting essential oils to enhance benefits and combat ailments.

Lesson 2: Learning The Strokes. Simple strokes to use on various parts of the body; delivering different amounts of pressure during a massage; invigorating percussion methods; static pressure and other 'holding' techniques; practicing on friends and family members.

Lesson 3: Massage Around The Body - Part 1. Performing a self-massage; delivering a good back massage from the shoulders to the buttocks; techniques to promote relaxation and alleviate aches and pains in the back; delivering a good chest and neck massage by stretching muscles and relieving tension.

Lesson 4: Massage Around The Body - Part 2. Massaging the feet and legs; massaging the hands and arms; administering abdominal massage; massage techniques for the face and head.

Lesson 5: Massage For All Ocassions. Massaging people in all stages of life; enhancing athletic performance and reducing injuries; how to relieve work-related stress and tension; using massage to enhance your self-image and beautify the body; the sensual massage; massage for various health issues.

Lesson 6: Massage Benefits, Applications and Cautions. Different perspectives on the benefits of massage; the psychological effects of massage; massage for special populations; research on clinical applications of massage; massage as a complement to chiropractic care; major massage endangerment areas and contraindications and cautions.

Lesson 7: Guidelines For Massage and Introduction To Western Massage. The significance of touch; topical substances used in massage; physical and emotional self-care measures; choosing different techniques for their effects; varying rhythm, pacing and pressure for different effects; performing stretching and joint movement techniques.

Lesson 8: Full-Body Western Massage and Regional Applications. Planning a full-body massage; applying techniques in appropriate order within each body region; continuity, rhythm, pacing and specificity; massage technique variations for different regions of the body; the healing properties of water; using hot and cold applications safely and effectively.

Lesson 9: Contemporary Massage and Bodywork. Myofascial techniques; identifying the origin of trigger points; deactivating trigger points; lymphatic drainage massage (LDM); relating reflexology areas of the feet to corresponding body parts; polarity techniques and movements.

Lesson 10: Asian Bodywork. Yin and yang; acupoints; sequence of techniques for a one-hour amma kata; three major types of shiatsu; four primary principles for performing shiatsu; the relationship between the five elements and the 12 major meridians according to Jin Shin Do.

Lesson 11: More Applications of Massage. Sports massage; planning a massage session to safely meet the special needs of pregnant women; infant massage; benefits of massage for the elderly; approaches to massage for the terminally ill, including self-care for the giver; adapting techniques for seated massage.