The Oriental Massage Techniques

The traditional oriental view of health is quite different from the modem, technological medicine in the West. In Eastern philosophy, illness is placed in the context of a holistic approach to life, and in particular the concept of an energy-based system, from the idea of a universal energy, or the highest level of spirituality, down to the lowest forms of life, much of Eastern ideology is an energetic one, with all parts of the human body interconnected and infused with a vital energy, and all life-forms similarly interdependent on an exchange of energies.

These concepts have led to the development of traditional therapeutic systems, such as acupuncture in China, and Shiatsu or acupressure in Japan.

We all know that the first written documents of massage were found in China and the massage therapy has very deep roots in that country. What is less known is that Tibet, Mongolia and Thailand have also been practising massage techniques that are very effective and popular. Shiatsu, the Japanese therapy, is globally accepted and is very popular in the West.. So are acupressure and acupuncture.

To know about the Oriental therapies, one must know a little about the Oriental philosophy. Most of these therapies are based on the common principles of 'Yin and Yang', 'The Five Elements' and 'Chi'. Whether it is the medicine, therapies or the Feng-Shui, everything is based on these basic principles, so it is very useful to know a little about them.