Amma therapy is a form of massage therapy derived from the ancient amma technique which features a combination of different massage styles in treating and preventing diseases. Ancient Chinese medicine has greatly influenced this type of therapeutic massage that it uses both acupuncture and Chinese medicine. The type of acupuncture used though doesn’t include the application of thin needles into the human body.

Alternative medicines were vastly used during the ancient centuries which are evident with the discoveries of stones engraved with images of massage therapies, herbalism, and other forms of natural treatment. Amma therapy was first used during the period of China’s great yellow emperor approximately more than 5000 years ago.

The principle does not differ with the other forms of therapeutic massage in the Asian countries as it focuses its therapy on the key meridian points of the body. Practitioners aim on keeping the proper flow of energy along the patient’s meridians. Stagnant Qi in the client’s body are removed and pushed to flow through the energy lines during the massage therapy session. Moxibustion which means the application of heat on certain key areas of the body is also practiced with this type of massage therapy. Heat helps a lot in conditioning and preparing the body to receive and yield better results. It benefits the body by loosening up tensed muscle parts which causes sprains, cramps and other types of muscle pains.

One of the simplest yet most important key in healing a client with this form of therapy is the evaluation stage. During this stage, the massage therapist carefully observes and scans for imbalance, deformities, abnormalities and other symptoms of bad health through the four basic traditional methods which are by looking, smelling, touching and asking. These four assessment process acts as the basic reference of the medical history and current condition of the patient.

Another technique used for this developed therapy is the positioning of the bones of the client. Amma therapists and practitioners believe that bone placement plays a huge role in the health of an individual. Aside from the skeletal manipulation, it also helps in recovering fractured, damage and broken bones. Although the success rate of this technique does not always guarantees positive results, therapists are convinced that it brings benefits and effective results to the patients.

Shiatsu as well as Swedish massage which are both different from each other in terms of the application of pressure on the patients is used in amma therapy. These two are used specifically on different problems of the body. Shiatsu therapy is used for treating deep tissue muscle pains while Swedish massage is conducted for relieving stress and soothing the body and mind.

Benefits and the good effects of the therapy are seen and felt right after sessions although some parts of the body may sometimes feel slightly painful due to the loosening of stiff muscles. The pain will eventually subside and a lighter and relaxed feeling will set in, leaving the patient with a good mood as well. Effects in the skin may result to glowing and younger looking skin with regular sessions of amma therapy.

Author Bio: I write for TIR Massage Stone about hot stone massage techniques and hot stone massage products.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
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