The Balinese massage therapy is performed on a conventional massage table or on a soft mat on the floor and a great deal of attention is paid to the scented oils which are generally applied at room temperature. For restorative purposes of an ailing or painful body part, warmed oil with an added mixture of lemon grass, cloves or ginger is applied. Overall, the bouquet of fragrances used in the Balinese massage therapy is intended to induce relaxation, to promote indulgence of the body and to drive away nervousness and unhealthful tension.

To reach the deeper tissues of the muscles, the Balinese massage therapist alternately applies vigorous kneading, cross fiber mobilization as well as skin rolling with gentle motions to every muscle of the body. To enhance results with long lasting effects, robust acupressure movements such as hardy press point and strong palm pressure are generously applies in addition to the prevailing massage techniques such as sliding, long and short exploration and manipulating.

The Balinese massage therapy is far from being gentle or delicate and it is, therefore, time and time again compared to Ayurveda, an Indian holistic medicinal method which is considered by most as being extremely intense. And it is due to the inherent intensity of the Balinese massage, that this therapy is so successful in reaching deep into tense and strained muscles to sooth and calm their spasms. As a matter of fact, the Balinese massage therapy is quite frequently prescribed for sports injuries as well as for stiff and achy joints due to various injuries or ailments, for easing migraines and other kinds of headaches, for relieving sleep deprivation and insomnia, for mitigating chronic and acute breathing maladies due to allergies and asthma, for boosting blood circulation and the lymphatic system, as well as for alleviating stress and easing anxiety and depression. In essence, the Balinese massage is a rigorous yet lavish therapeutic system that aims to bring the body and mind in full synchronization of optimal health, well being, tranquility and spiritual renewal.

In preparation for a Balinese massage treatment, you should give yourself plenty of time to savor the entire experience and its afterglow. Under certain circumstances, your massage therapist may need to modify the treatment or the oils which are used and you should, for that reason, let him or her know if you:

* Know that you are pregnant or think you might be.
* Have any pains or stiffness in your joints or limbs.
* Have had a recent injury or underwent surgery.
* Are suffering from high or low blood pressure.
* Have any kind of heart problems or any other medical condition and are going through some form of treatment.

Bali is just one island out of the 17,508 islands which comprise the Republic of Indonesia, a nation located in Southeast Asia and the worlds largest archipelagic state. Many of the other Indonesian islands adopted their own massage techniques which are similar to the Balinese massage in their endeavor to heal the physical body and the spiritual mind, yet they are also distinct and bear their own unique characteristics. And they are:

* Sasak massage.
* Lombok massage.
* Urat massage.
* Balinese Boreh. A paste of ground spices is used to relieve pain and this massage technique was conceived by local rice farmers.
* Javenese Lulur Ritual. This is customarily executed on brides in preparation of their wedding day.

Have you decided to give the Balinese massage a try? Good choice! Relax, enjoy the process and come out smelling heavenly.

Reflexology is another form of massage therapy. Similar to shiatsu, it is a physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands using specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect the human anatomy on both the feet and hands which in theory have significant effects on the entire body.

This form of massage therapy has been around for thousands of years. There is archaeological evidence that suggests this was used by the Egyptians in 2330 BC, China in 2704 BC and Japan in 690 BC. The West only knew about reflexology in the 19th century.

Reflexology Is Another Form of Massage Therapy

Reflexology is another form of massage therapy. Similar to shiatsu, it is a physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hands using specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of lotion. It is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect the human anatomy on both the feet and hands which in theory have significant effects on the entire body.

This form of massage therapy has been around for thousands of years. There is archaeological evidence that suggests this was used by the Egyptians in 2330 BC, China in 2704 BC and Japan in 690 BC. The West only knew about reflexology in the 19th century.

Although reflexology is usually applied to the feet and hands, there are those who also apply the same thing to the ear. This technique is considered to be a modified from auricular therapy which is an acupuncture technique.

In general, reflexology is used to reduce stress because both the feet and hands help set the tension level for the rest of the body. If you are able to fix that, then there is balance in the body. It can also help those who are suffering from arthritis, back pain, digestive disorders or problems, hormonal imbalance, insomnia, menstrual disorders, sports injuries and tension headaches.

You must never go for reflexology if you are pregnant, have foot ulcers or blood clots. If you are doing this for the first time, you better tell the professional your medical history.

Whether reflexology can help certain conditions and diseases is still being determined. But even if other tests need to be made, many experts agree that it is complement to standard medical care. With that said, patients should never use it as a replacement to medical help.

The best part about reflexology is that it is not painful. If this happens, you should tell the reflexologist to go down one notch. If there are certain areas in the body that are sore, tell them to focus on it as this will decrease with pressure.

Reflexology can be done at anytime and anywhere. If you have the time, you can even do this once a day. In fact, given its popularity most hospitals and HMO’s now consider this for insurance reimbursement as it is often used for post-operative or palliative care. In fact, one third of cancer patients undergo reflexology regularly.

Most sessions being conducted by practitioners may last from 30 minutes to an hour. It is also a clothed session so the only thing you have to remove is your shoes and socks. You don’t even have to lie down on a table because some will perform this while you are seated on a chair.

At the end of each session, you should feel relaxed. How long it lasts is a good indicator as to how effective it was. If you will be having another session in the future, you should give feedback to the reflexologist so they know what to do the next time you drop by.

Reflexology is another form of massage therapy you can try if you want to relieve tension from the body. If you are interested in trying it, all you have to do is check if there is one within your neighborhood.