Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage

 

Hawaiian lomi lomi massage is one part of traditional Native Hawaiian medicine and was only passed down in families until the early 1970s, when a few Hawaiian teachers began teaching this massage therapy technique to non-Hawaiians. The popularity of this technique spread quickly, and it’s now widely available.

Auntie Margaret Machado, who taught until her death in 2009, and many practitioners do the massage in her tradition. However, a number of variations are available

This massage incorporates the Hawaiian concept of aloha, which means love, unification, and breath, and promotes personal harmony. Even in modern practice, lomi lomi therapists are taught to focus on the massage with love and intention. Auntie Margaret Machado is often quoted as having said that the difference between Swedish massage and lomi lomi is “loving touch.”

Often, more of your body is uncovered during this massage than during a typical Swedish or deep tissue massage. That’s because therapists rarely massage one body part at a time. Instead, they move in long flowing motions that, for example, may start at the top of your shoulder and go all the way to your foot. Some therapists use massage sheets in the usual way, just uncovering larger areas of your body at once. The more traditional practice is that the therapist uses no sheets, covering your genital area and breasts with small towels.

Lomi lomi is best known for long, flowing, dance-like strokes, often using the forearms and generous amounts of oil. But, because there are so many styles, the specifics of a massage can vary. Gentle stretches and joint rotations are common in this massage, as is the massage therapist massaging two parts of your body at same time, for example, using one hand or forearm on your shoulder while simultaneously massaging a hip with the other hand or forearm.

Both massaging two areas at the same time and the long flowing strokes are believed to promote harmony and balance in your body. Traditional lomi lomi always includes abdominal massage because Hawaiian tradition considers the colon part of a person’s soul or heart.

Swedish massage

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.

What’s the Difference Between Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue Massage?

Swedish massage and deep tissue massage are both popular types of massage therapy. While there are some similarities, they are different from each other. The differences are:

  • the pressure
  • technique
  • intended use
  • areas of focus

Here’s more information about the key differences between these two massage styles, along with tips on choosing the right therapist for you.

About Swedish massage

Swedish massage is one of the most commonly offered massage techniques. It’s sometimes called a classic massage. The technique aims to promote relaxation by releasing muscle tension.

Swedish massage is gentler than deep tissue massage and better suited for people interested in relaxation and tension relief.

Swedish massage may loosen up tight muscles caused by daily activities such as sitting at the computer or exercising. It can be very helpful for people who hold a lot of tension in their:

  • lower back
  • shoulders
  • neck

What happens during a Swedish massage?

During a Swedish massage, therapists use:

  • kneading
  • long strokes
  • deep circular movements
  • passive joint movements

These techniques are meant to:

  • relax you
  • stimulate nerve endings
  • increase blood flow and lymph drainage

A traditional Swedish massage involves the whole body. You will begin on either your back or your stomach and flip over at the halfway point.

If you have an area of particular concern, such as a tight neck, you can ask your therapist to spend more time in this area. Depending on your preferences, you can ask your massage therapist to use light, medium, or firm pressure.

During most full-body massages, the expectation is you’ll be undressed. Your massage therapist will ask you to undress for your massage while they wait outside. It’s up to you whether or not to keep your underwear on.

Your massage therapist will drape a sheet over your body. They will pull back and adjust it as they work their way around. You will be covered most of the time.

Your massage therapist will use an oil or lotion to allow for smooth and long stokes. They may also ask if you have a preferred aromatherapy scent.

About deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage, but it goes farther and is intended for a different purpose.

Deep tissue massage is best suited for:

  • athletes
  • runners
  • people with injuries

It can also work for people with chronic pain conditions such as:

Deep tissue massage targets the inner layers of your:

  • muscles
  • tendons
  • fascia, or dense connective tissue

Deep tissue massage uses many of the same stroking and kneading movements as Swedish massage, but there’s far more pressure. This pressure can sometimes be painful.

In order to reach the deep muscle tissue, a therapist will massage layer by layer of muscle, applying more and more pressure and employing special techniques with the fingers, fists, and maybe even elbows to reach and stretch that deep tissue.

This type of massage facilitates healing by releasing contracted areas of muscle and tissue. It can help increase blood flow to the soft tissues and may help to reduce inflammation.

What happens during a deep tissue massage?

Before a deep tissue massage, you will discuss your problem areas with your therapist. A deep tissue massage can be full-body or focused only on one area. You will begin lying on your back or stomach and under a sheet. It’s up to you to determine your level of undress.

Deep tissue massages begin as a more traditional relaxation massage. After the muscles are warmed up, your massage therapist will begin to work deep into your problem areas.

In addition to their palms, finger tips, and knuckles, your therapist may use their forearms or elbows to increase pressure.

It’s important to be open with your massage therapist about the level of pressure and discomfort you wish to endure. This may be different for certain areas and throughout the massage. Feel free to communicate with your massage therapist before and during the massage.

Some massage therapists find pain to be counterproductive to the process and expect you to speak up if the pain is too much.

You should expect a fair amount of soreness in the days following your deep tissue massage. Your therapist may recommend treating with:

  • ice
  • heat
  • stretching
  • Find the right massage therapist. Look for a therapist who specifically identifies the massage type you’re interested in as part of their practice and background. If necessary, look for someone trained to treat a particular condition, such as sports injuries, fibromyalgia, arthritis, or pregnancy. Also check if the therapist is licensed or certified according to state requirements.
  • Talk to your therapist about any injuries. Be clear about the extent of your injuries, how long they have been healing, and what your current pain level is.
  • Talk about your comfort levels. Tell the massage therapist which areas you do not want them to touch. For example, some people are uncomfortable with their buttocks being massaged.
  • Talk about your goals and expectations. Do you just want to relax? Are you trying to recover from an injury?
  • Discuss pressure. Talk to your therapist about what level of pressure is best for you.
  • Be open. Let your therapist know if you have privacy concerns or areas that you don’t want touched.
  • Warm up. If possible, warm up your muscles by taking a warm shower, soaking in a hot tub, or spending a few minutes in a sauna.
  • Hydrate. Drink plenty of water before your massage.

 

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage is Swedish massage therapy using massage oil or lotion that contains essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils).

During an aromatherapy massage, you inhale these essential oil molecules or absorb them through your skin. They are thought to promote beneficial changes in your mind and body by affecting the limbic system, a region of the brain known to be involved in emotion.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

Each essential oil used in aromatherapy is said to have different properties. For example, some calm and make you feel relaxed while others energize.

Purported properties of widely used essential oils:

  • Calming: Chamomile, lavender, and geranium oil
  • Decongesting: Eucalyptus, pine, and tea tree oil
  • Energizing: Rosemary oil
  • Uplifting: Ylang-ylang, clary sage, rose, and neroli oil

Since aromatherapy massage techniques are often the same as those used in Swedish massage, people often get it for sore back, neck, and/or shoulder muscles or to ease stress.

Use of therapeutic essential oils in massage is being explored for the following conditions:

  • Anxiety
  • Dementia symptoms
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual pain
  • Supportive care for people with conditions such as cancer

Research on Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage appears to reduce the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps, a 2015 study from the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology suggests. Participants did a self-massage with rose essential oil, an unscented almond oil, or no oil on the first day of menstruation for two menstrual cycles.

By the second cycle, aromatherapy massage reduced the severity of pain compared to massage therapy with almond oil or no oil.1

Massage with aromatherapy may also ease menopausal symptoms. In a 2012 study published in Menopause, researchers compared 30-minute aromatherapy massage (twice a week for 4 weeks) to massage with plain oil or no treatment and found that both massage and aromatherapy massage were effective in reducing menopausal symptoms. Aromatherapy massage was the most effective.2

Other research suggests that aromatherapy massage may not relieve symptoms in people with cancer.

A review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2016, analysed previously published studies and concluded that “this review demonstrated no differences in effects of massage on depression, mood disturbance, psychological distress, nausea, fatigue, physical symptom distress, or quality of life when compared with no massage.”3

When comparing aromatherapy massage with no massage, they found that “there was some indication of benefit in the aromatherapy-massage group but this benefit is unlikely to translate into clinical benefit.”3

What to Expect During an Aromatherapy Massage

Although you can find aromatherapy massage at almost every massage clinic or spa, the style of treatment, degree of customization, and the quality of essential oils vary widely.

Many massage therapists have one or more premixed blends and will select the blend based on your health concerns. A massage for relaxation and stress relief would likely include lavender essential oil, while an uplifting massage may include rosemary essential oil. Your therapist may involve you in the selection process by asking you to smell various blends.

Some massage therapists may add essential oils to massage oil immediately before each massage based on your unique condition or health goals.

The quality of the essential oils varies widely. Essential oils are different from oils made with synthetic scents that don’t have therapeutic effects. Massage therapists who are highly knowledgeable about aromatherapy tend to use quality essential oils in their massage oils.

Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massage is based on the Ayurvedic system of healing which has been practiced in India for over a thousand years.

How does it work?

Indian head massage is a relaxing holistic treatment that uses acupressure massage to release stress that has accumulated in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders. It aims to rebalance your body’s energies.

What does it involve?

The client remains fully clothed and sits in a massage chair for the treatment. At the beginning of the treatment, the patient’s mind is usually very active – many thoughts cluttering their mind. As the treatment progresses their breathing slows, the mind quietens and, by the end of the session, they are filled with an overall sense of peace.
The therapist uses a range of different movements including kneading, stroking and compression movements over the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. In addition, the therapist will also gently stimulate and stroke pressure points on the face. The session will usually last from thirty to forty-five minutes, and most therapists like their clients to sit quietly for ten or twenty minutes once the massage has been completed.

What is it good for?

Indian head massage may help increase joint mobility and flexibility in the neck and shoulders, may improve blood circulation and lymphatic flow, can free knots of muscular tension, may relax connective tissue, and may aid in the elimination of accumulated toxins and waste products.
Possible benefits of Indian head massage include: relieves stress, tension, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, migraine and sinusitis.
Clients report that the experience is deeply calming and relaxing, leaving them feeling energised and revitalised and better able to concentrate.

What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?

Following a treatment some clients experience tiredness, light headedness, or aching muscles. All of these side effects usually last for no more than a few hours, after which clients generally experience increased energy and alertness.

Precautions
Please ensure that you do not eat a heavy meal directly before your treatment and always make sure that you avoid alcohol for at least five hours before the treatment. Indian head massage should be avoided if you have had recent surgery, or a head or neck injury; a history of thrombosis or embolism; spondylitis or spondylosis.

As with any treatment it is important to tell your therapist in advance if you:
• are, or think you might be, pregnant
• have any medical conditions or are receiving any treatment or medication
• have recently had an injury or operation
• are allergic to anything, particularly skin allergies
• have any broken skin or sores on your scalp as this may affect the kind of oil and treatment you receive.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Your lymphatic system helps eliminate your body’s waste. A healthy, active lymphatic system uses the natural movements of smooth muscle tissue to do this.

However, surgery, medical conditions, or other damage can cause fluids to build up in your lymph system and your lymph nodes, a condition known as lymphedema.

If you’ve ever had a surgery on or involving your lymph nodes, your doctor may have suggested lymphatic drainage massage performed by a certified massage or physical therapist. However,

Lymphatic massage is not recommended for people with the following conditions:

  • congestive heart failure
  • history of blood clots or stroke
  • current infection
  • liver problems
  • kidney problems

Lymphedema

Procedures that affect or remove your lymph nodes can cause lymphedema as a side effect.

Lymphedema will only occur in the area near a surgical site.

For example, if you have lymph nodes removed as a part of cancer surgery to your left breast, only your left arm, not your right, might be affected with lymphedema.

Lymphedema can also occur as a result of an injury or medical conditions such as congestive heart failure (CHF) or blood clots in the body.

To move waste fluids away from the damaged area, lymphatic massage, which uses a gentle pressure, can help. It’s one technique used to reduce lymphedema.

Raakhee Patel, PT, DPT, CLT, is a physical therapist and certified lymphedema specialist who trains people to perform their own lymphatic massage after surgery.

“We don’t talk enough about lymphedema,” says Patel. Fluid build-up is uncomfortable and causes pain and heaviness in the affected area. And, according to Patel, “Stage 3 lymphedema can be devastating,” causing significant depression and lack of mobility that could complicate healing.

When performing a lymphatic massage, it’s important that the massage include more than just the affected area. The entire lymphatic system of the body, except the head, right side of the chest, and right arm, drains near the left shoulder. So, a massage should include all areas to drain properly.

Clearing and reabsorption

Patel teaches two stages of lymphatic massage: clearing and reabsorption. The purpose of clearing is to create a vacuum with gentle pressure so that the area is prepared to bring in more fluid, creating a flushing effect.

Clearing involves:

Clearing motions can be repeated as many as 10 times a day. Patel advises, “Always massage both sides of your body, not just the side with the lymphedema.”

A guide to clearing

There are three stages to clearing. Be sure to clear the supraclavicular area, axillary area, and inner-elbow area, in that order.

To clear the supraclavicular area:

  • Begin by lying on a comfortable, flat surface.
  • Cross your arms on your chest, with your hands resting just below the collarbones.
  • Then lift your elbows slowly. The muscle action is as much pressure required to prepare the area to flush lymphatic fluid.

Next, clear the axillary area:

  • Lay one hand above your head.
  • Use your other hand to gently scoop the underarm area from top to bottom. The only pressure required is gentle enough to move the surface of the skin.

Finally, clear the area inside the elbows:

  • Lay your arm straight at your side.
  • Use the fingers of your opposite hand to gently pull the skin inside the elbow an inch at a time.