Wednesday, October 19, 2011

What Is Lomi Lomi Massage?


Lomi lomi massage therapy is a traditional type of massage therapy practiced and served at every massage parlor and spa in Hawaii. It uses massage strokes like rubbing where it got its name and other techniques based on the intuition of the massage therapist which depends on his or her evaluation of the patient's physical and emotional condition. This type of massage treatment heals, relaxes and balances the energy within the body to promote a good and healthy constitution.
This type of Hawaiian massage therapy is one of the most common and popular therapeutic massage style which combines physical and spiritual wellness. The technique which has its roots on the Huma philosophy of Hawaii, believes that the body and mind is connected or interlinked and that in order to achieve good health and quality life, both should be balanced and in harmony. The therapy session usually starts and ends with a prayer by the massage therapist. Lomi lomi was only practiced by the native healers and priests during the earlier periods as a luxurious therapy for the royalties.
Unlike most types of massage, lomi lomi therapy incorporates spiritual aspects of healing with the physical. This is based on the Hawaiian's belief in cell memories that can either affect or improve the whole condition of the body. The principle is similar to the Oriental types of massage therapy that regards the importance of balancing the energy or life force inside the patient's body to achieve healing, relaxation and to build defense against sickness. The massage therapist also looks at the patient with love, compassion and respect instead of conducting the therapy where the client is treated like an object in need of repair.
Before starting with the massage strokes and techniques, the massage therapist usually examines and checks the physical and mental condition of the patient in order to assess what treatment is needed by the patient. With this evaluation, the therapist can organize his or her massage treatment plan such as the duration of the massage session, the pressure needed, the types of massage strokes and techniques to be manipulated, and the areas to be treated.
During a massage therapy, the patient is required to remove all of his or her clothes and lie down on a massage table. A loose towel is given to the patient to cover portions of his or her body during the whole duration of the therapeutic massage. However, lomi lomi massage can also be performed with the patient fully clothed. The massage table used doesn't have a covering for the masseuse's convenience during the therapy.
Massage oil is applied on the patient's skin to act as a lubricant for easy flowing strokes that are done with the therapist's hands and forearms. The hands are used for rubbing, pressing, squeezing and other massage strokes while the forearm is designed for treating the deep tissues. The patient can expect a relaxing and rejuvenating feeling of total body wellness accompanied by improvements with their blood and oxygen circulation, immunity boost, relief from body pain and many more.

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