This article lets you know some of the available massage courses to which you can apply to. A massage course should be taught in such a way that you as a therapist should find it interesting and still give you all the knowledge you will require to be good at your job. This article has a few massage courses you could consider applying to as they are some of the most sought after ones in Australia right now.

An Introductory Course:

This simple course is a good starting point whether you want to pursue a career in massage or just want to add a skill set to assist friends or family. You will get to learn basic back, neck, shoulder and legs massages.

Relaxation Massage Course:

This is a very popular massage course through which you are taught a wide range of massage techniques to target the whole body. Students get to learn both the contraindications for massages. Techniques that you will learn are cross frictional therapy, effleurage, pettrissage, deep soft tissue therapy and vibrations. This is a great foundation course to apply to as you learn valuable hand skills which is useful in other massages.

Shiatsu

This popular Japanese massage is very beneficial for restoring the body s energy and revitalizing the mind and soul. It is taught in two levels:

Level 1

• Contraindication for Shiatsu Massage

• The Shiatsu approach to human body, disorders and diseases

• The five phases of Shiatsu

• Tzang and Fu Organs

• The energy channels and the movements of Ki (Chi)

• Essential energy channels (tsubo)and the indications for their use

• Techniques taught to students to enable them to carry out a full body Shiatsu which is then practiced by the students as well.

Level 2

• Developing and refining the diagnostic techniques used both on and off the body.

• Zen meridian extensions and their uses

• Combinations of energy points (tsubo)

• Traditional Chinese Medicine and its application in Shiatsu

• Techniques and body positioning for treating specific injuries, pregnancy, pathologies and ailments.

• Setai and Sotai Techniques

Tui Na

This is an ancient Chinese Therapeutic Massage is a part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). You will learn to:

Tui Na 1

• Treat and help reduce chronic disorders.

• Reduce and eliminate pain

• Improve blood circulation

• Improve nutritional supply to parts of the body

• Improve immune system and resistance to diseases

• This course is designed to introduce you to TCM theory and teach basic techniques used in Tui Na

• You will also be taught to deal with stiff necks, arm pain, lower back pain, headaches and shoulder pain

Tui Na 2

• It teaches you diagnostic techniques from a Tui Na approach

• How to choose energy points (acupressure) for specific problems and which techniques to use on them.

• Deal with spasms and diaphragm

• Deal with sciatica, arthritis, dysfunction and lumbar and shoulder pain.

• Facial Paralysis, Trigeminal Neuralgia, toothaches, headaches

• Application of cupping and Moxibustion

• Neurasthenia, Enuresis, Retention of urine and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Spermotorrhea and impotence.

• This course is an excellent opportunity to learn about Traditional Chinese Medicine.

There are many more courses like sports massage, pregnancy massage, etc. If you are interested in applying for any of these courses then you could consider applying to Copeland College of Massage Therapy. For more info please visit http://www.copelandcollege.com.au.

The shiatsu massage chair has become very popular in recent years. It is based on the ancient Japanese massage technique of shiatsu, which differs from basic Western massage techniques. Western massage relies more upon kneading and rubbing, but shiatsu is based upon applying pressure. This is even evident in its name, the direct translation from Japanese means finger (shi) pressure (atsu). An experienced practitioner will not only use their fingers, but also their knuckles, elbows, palms, and thumbs, and a few will even use their knees and feet when they need to apply heavy pressure!

The Japanese regard shiatsu so highly that it is a regulated and licensed medical therapy in Japan by their Ministry of Health and Welfare, whose official definition is: Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one’s hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health. It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses.

Today in Japan there are two main schools of shiatsu: one based on western anatomical and physiological findings, and the other based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

The original school of thought practices shiatsu based on TCM uses shiatsu massage to work the acupuncture points along the body’s energy channels (also called meridians) to balance a persons energy flow. This is a great form of treatment for Westerners who are interested in acupuncture but are put off by the needles.

A formal school of shiatsu therapy based upon Western medicine was first opened in Japan in 1940, but it was not until the 1970’s when shiatsu techniques started to appear outside Japan. Today over a dozen philosophies or variations exist of shiatsu, and since the 1980’s, most of these variations have occurred in North America and Europe.

Though there is little scientific support for the healing properties of a shiatsu massage, no one can dispute the overall feeling of good health and stress relief that is brought on by one of these massages. As massage has become more main stream in western society, the massage industry boomed. Companies have sought ways to make a massage accessible to more Americans. This brought on the massage chair industry in the 1980’s. These chairs have slowly become more deluxe, and with the interest in shiatsu, the popularity of the shiatsu massage chair has boomed. This has especially been great for individuals who do not feel comfortable going to a massage therapist, they can enjoy a massage in the privacy of their own home.

Almost any shiatsu massage chair on the market today offers a variety of massage techniques, including compression, kneading, percussion, and rolling. The application of pressure that is key in shiatsu massage is applied in chairs by rollers. In a good quality chair, you can control the rollers to move up and down your back, you can control the width between the rollers, and also how much pressure is being applied.

Though a quality shiatsu massage chair may seem like it would cost a lot of money, it is really an investment in your health. It is like having your own personal massage therapist on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year! These chairs do not provide just a back massage, but also neck, leg and foot massages. Besides relaxing your muscles, a shiatsu massage chair also rejuvenates the mind and body and reduces fatigue, providing a whole body experience. I have never met a person who regretted purchasing a shiatsu massage chair.

We are the choices we make. Sometimes the choices are relatively simple: do we choose chocolate, vanilla, or strawberry ice cream? Other times, the choices are more significant: do we visit Cancun or Jamaica for vacation? And on other occasions, our choices are a fork-in-the-road in our lives: do we continue to rent an apartment, or make a down- payment on a new house? When providing a therapeutic massage, one of the most important choices to make is regarding the type of massage to give. Each type of massage has a different style and approach. As a therapist, which types of massage therapies are preferable? It depends.

Though numerous types of massages exist, it is important to be familiar with the basic varieties:

1. Back massage. This type of massage typically lasts 30 minutes, and focuses on both the back and neck. I struggle from time-to-time from back spasms, and can attest to the effectiveness of this type of massage.

2. Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a variety of Japanese massage that uses finger pressure on local regions of the body. The pressure is applied in a series of rhythms, on acupuncture lines on the body. The pressure points are held for multiple seconds, creating balance in the body and boosting the energy flow in the patient. The benefits of shiatsu are that while the pressure remains solid, typically no pain occurs after the massage session.

3. Aromatherapy Massage: This type of therapy combines massage therapy with one or multiple scented plant oils, or essential oils. Whether you need to boost your energy, lower your stress levels, or simply relax, the therapist chooses the right oil for the right effect. Aromatherapy is particularly ideal for reducing stress, with therapists choosing lavender as one of the most frequently used essential oils.

4. Reflexology. People often refer to this type of massage as a “foot massage,” but “foot massage plus” would probably be a better title for it. The theory behind his type of massage therapy is that various pressure points on the foot are linked to various organs and systems throughout the body. For those who work on their feet, reflexology is heaven on Earth.

5. Swedish Massage Therapy: This is the one of America’s most popular massage therapies. It is a mild and relaxing massage that uses oil or lotion. Swedish Massage Therapy applies lengthy strokes, rubs and circulates motions on the outside muscle layers.

6. Thai Massage. Thai massage therapy uses mild pressure on specific pressure points, to align the body’s energies; stretches and compressions. From my experience, this is the most “mobile” massage therapy. The therapist places the patient in various yoga-like postures. Having the therapist cling to your back like a backpack is awkward, but ultimately this massage method is perfect for improving your range of motion, lowering stress levels, and boosting flexibility.

7. Hot stone massage. A massage with hot stones involves smooth, heated stones (usually Basalt) that are positioned on particular points of the body. They are used to heat and stabilize energy centers within the body, and to relax stiff muscles. In addition, the therapist can grip the stones themselves while giving the massage, using them to apply a moderate pressure. A massage with hot stones is perfect for those with tight muscles, but who also need a gentler massage therapy.

As a massage therapist, you have several massage therapies in your battery of ways to battle your patient’s stress, pain and fatigue. Massages such as those with hot stones can help your patient to truly feel like the same person in a new body. You can tell him or her, “You have chosen wisely.”

Buying a massage chair is a very good idea for people who lead hectic lives and need to relax and rejuvenate themselves after tiring days at work. A massage chair can alleviate both physical and mental tension and help free your body from aches and pains. Most massage practitioners and experts nowadays recommend buying Shiatsu massage chairs. These chairs are designed for providing a Shiatsu massage to the user. Shiatsu massage is a holistic Japanese massage technique that is known for easing and treating a number of ailments through targeting pressure points in the human body. A good Shiatsu massage chair not only helps in relieving stress and pain, it will also provide you with a healthier body after an extended period of use. However, massage chairs, Shiatsu or otherwise are never cheap and therefore, you should take care to get the best massage chair for your budget. Make sure that when buying a massage chair recliner that it suits your needs and requirements. Some tips that will help you in buying your Shiatsu massage chair are:

· Shiatsu massage chairs are generally very expensive and as such, you should ensure that the chair has all the therapeutic massage techniques—kneading, rolling, compression, and percussion. A kneading motion should feel as if two hands are kneading and rubbing your back alternately; rolling feels as if someone is pressing the sides of your spine alternately; compression feels like firm palms of a human hand are pressing your back and the sides of your spine while percussion imitates the rapid tapping of a human fist on your back.

· Test the massage recliner you are interested in before you make the decision to buy and ensure that the rollers imitate the hand movements of a therapeutic masseur. Sit in a Shiatsu massage recliner for at least twenty minutes to find out if you really like the speed and the movements of the chair and it covers your vital areas.

· There are a number of massage chairs that come without a raised footrest and these tend to get uncomfortable after you sit on them for a few minutes. Select a Shiatsu massage recliner that comes with a raised foot rest or ottoman. A good massage chair should give you a full recline option. Foot and calf massagers are also built into the best massage chairs.

· Massage chairs are supposed to last a long time, especially considering the amount you are paying for them. The best massage chairs come with the longest warranties, since a long warranty period generally indicates superior reliability and durability. Compare different brand warranties before buying your massage chair and make sure that you get a long warranty on your chair. Also make sure that they offer in-home service not a service center.

· Before you buy a massage chair, it is important to know about the costs of repairs and spare parts. Also ask your retailer about how and where you will be able to get your massage recliner repaired in case of a breakdown.

· Customer service and responsiveness are other things that you need to be sure about when you buy a shiatsu massage chair. Check if they have a money back guarantee and if shipping and tax is included. You want to find the best deal on your massage chair that meets your requirements, will be trouble-free and is within your budget.