The Essential Massage Book

Massage is the safe, effective, drug-free way to treat countless ailments and injuries, from headaches and sprains to chronic back pain. This fully illustrated guide gathers the most effective techniques of all the different systems in one easy-to-use volume. Comprehensively covering five basic approaches--whole-body techniques, localized massage and pressure techniques, massage for healing, massage for relaxation and stress relief, and massage for pleasure--it offers detailed instructions on every system, from traditional Chinese methods to shiatsu, reiki, aromatherapy, and reflexology. Also covered are self-massage, holistic massage, hand treatment, head massage, and the chakras.

A beautifully illustrated introductory guide to the healing powers of a massage, from traditional massage to shiatsu and reflexology. The Book of Massage is the classic guide to the relaxing and healing skills of the hands. Featuring both Eastern and Western methods, it presents step-by-step, beautifully illustrated instructions on everything from traditional massage to shiatsu and reflexology. The Book of Massage offers easy-to-follow techniques for giving the perfect massage, including advice on creating the right setting and suggestions for using aromatic oils and lotions. Now revised and updated with fresh color photos and drawings throughout, The Book of Massage is a simple and comprehensive handbook that reveals how you can experience the myriad benefits of giving and receiving a soothing massage.

In this update of the 2000 edition, Fritz, the owner and head instructor of a school of therapeutic massage and bodywork in Michigan, treats touch as a form of communication and expands coverage of ethical and legal issues, contra/indications for massage, and condition assessment and management. The treatment of medical terminology, core principles, and techniques is enhanced by color illustrations, case studies, review questions, resources and other appended information. The first edition was published in 1995. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Massage has been proven to reduce stress, promote healing, and enhance healthful living. Unfortunately, spas and massage therapies can be prohibitively expensive. The Everything Massage Book provides readers with all they need to put professional massage techniques to use in their own homes. Packed with easy-to-follow instruction, this reader-friendly guide presents the many benefits of massage and addresses the ten most popular techniques, including Swedish and shiatsu massage.

Hot stone massage is a unique variant of massage therapy that employs heated stones to release physical tension and calm the nervous system. The stones' warmth and weight help the recipient focus more intently on the massage, and to be more receptive to its benefits. This superb introduction explains everything about this ancient healing practice, from which stones to choose (color, smoothness, shape, and mineral content matter) to which strokes to use. Along with attractive instructional photos throughout, there's information on setting up the massage, working different parts of the body, stimulating the chakra points, and alleviating specific symptoms--including muscular aches, back pain, arthritis, circulatory problems, and insomnia.

This handbook breaks down massage tips and techniques into 101 easy-to-grasp tips and gives quick answers to all readers questions.