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.

Shiatsu is a japanese model of bodywork. The meaning of shiatsu is “finger pressure”, and it is sometimes described as per a finger pressure massage.

How does Shiatsu massage important?

Similar acupuncture, shiatsu is based on the holistic model of traditional Chinese medicine, where sickness is thought to effect from imbalances in the natural flow of power energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”) through the body.

Shiatsu therapists use finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways. As per a scientific clarification is that shiatsu calms an overactive sympathetic nervous network system, which enhances circulation, relieves stiff muscles, and allays stress.

The shiatsu therapist applies force using the fingers, thumbs, and/or palms in a continuous rhythmic series.

The pressure or force experiences more localized, because different other forms of massage, the finger pads are conducted to apply pressure for most of the treating instead of the entire palm.

Confident pressure points may sense tender, which some people describe it as “good pain.”

If you feel any discomfort or ache during the cure, tell your therapist and he or she will adjust the force or pressure so that it is convenient to you.

Relaxation, Back pain, Headache, Premenstrual syndrome, Anxiety, Insomnia, Neck and shoulder pain, Tiredness, Recovery from injuries, Stress, Arthritis pain, Poor digestion, Constipation, Depression are conditions for using shiatsu massage. Moreover, it is not recommended for certain people:

Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor People with osteoporosis should consult their doctor before having shiatsu Prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having shiatsu Immediately after surgery Infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting any type of massage or bodywork. Shiatsu in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage. Shiatsu should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

So, the most people in the world say shiatsu is as relaxing as a classic system of massage therapy.

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.

As an Internationally-recognized leader in massage therapy education, the Shiatsu Massage School of California (SMSC) provides accredited programs to both practicing massage therapists and to those seeking professional careers in the massage therapy industry.

Because the Shiatsu Massage School of California is a non-profit academic institute, it continues its deep commitment to providing training to all students who qualify for admission. When you enroll at the diverse Shiatsu Massage School of California, earn your Shiatsu Anma* Practitioner certification in just a little over 100 hours. (*Shiatsu Anma is a form of massage therapy that concentrates on Chi flow, and alleviation of chi blockages.) In addition to learning the techniques and practice of Shiatsu Anma, you gain instruction in its theory, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Anma-Doin (self healing art), anatomy and physiology, CPR and first aid, and more.

Additional courses at the Shiatsu Massage School of California include the 150-hour Shiatsu Anma technician program (Diploma A), 150-hour Shiatsu Anma therapist program (Diploma B), and the 200-hour Shiatsu Anma specialist course (Diploma C). Students may take each diploma program separately, or combine coursework to achieve a total of 500 training hours in Shiatsu Anma. Other unique instructional options at the Shiatsu Massage School of California include workshops in acroyoga, craniosacral therapy, lomi lomi, pregnancy massage, and other specializations.

Specially-trained massage therapists can work in a variety of professional and recreational settings — including medical facilities, massage/chiropractic clinics, at health/spa retreats, wellness centers, aboard commercial cruise lines, and other diverse environments. When you’re ready to jumpstart your professional career as a specialty massage therapist and have the sincere desire to help in healing, define your future by applying to the Shiatsu Massage School of California today.

* Tuition payment plans may be available.

Featured School of the Week: Shiatsu Massage School of California

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