Can western and oriental massage techniques be combined?
Posted: May 15th, 2010 | Author: admin | Filed under: massage therapy | Tags: combined, massage, Oriental, Techniques, western | 2 Comments »
There are many therapists who advertise “combination swedish & shiatsu massage”. However, swedish massage uses lubricants such as oil or cream, while shiatsu uses direct pressure over clothes. Furthermore, swedish massage aims to help blood circulation, therefore it is centripetal, while shiatsu helps the circulation of chi and therefore is centrifugal.
It depends on when during the massage the techniques are applied. A good massage therapist combines all sorts of techniques. Any massage works the chi, though. Shiatsu is direct pressure, period, in certain patterns following the chi lines in the body. The “over clothes” has nothing to do with the actual practice of the techniques.
Sounds like a therapist who is incorporating both styles into the therapist’s style. That way they can offer an unique style. Great marketing. Swedish = to lubricants. Shiatsu = pressure. So their style would incorporate both.