Massage assistants

Author: Ella Sadovnikova – deputy. Ch. editor of the Kosmetik international journal.

From the history of tools

In the process of development of massage, not only massage techniques were improved, but also the tools of the massage therapist. In ancient times, their assortment was scarce and outwardly unsightly - it could be a squeegee, a sponge, a brush, a glove. For example, in Ancient Rome, massage was performed with a special instrument, curved in the shape of a sickle, blunt on both sides. This peculiar scraper was made of gold, silver or bronze, and among the Hindus - of ebony. Rubbing was carried out with a scraper, applying some effort to remove epidermal layers and secretions of the sebaceous glands. In Turkey, for these purposes they used a piece of tow or a glove, the palm part of which was made of camel hair. A coil was also widely used, which consisted of 6-8 wooden or rubber circles with a diameter of 4-5 cm, drilled in the center and put on a rod equipped with a handle on one side, which the masseur grabbed with his whole hand. Another tool was a “spatula” 25-30 cm long, one end of which was a handle, and the other a flat disk with a diameter of 7-10 cm. The disk was used for patting the muscles. Sometimes a sheep's bladder, inflated with air, or a ball entwined with wool and horsehair, which was used for the same purposes, was tied to the end of a small handle.

Modern massage therapists use an arsenal of available tools, which is radically different from their predecessors. These include brushes, jars, spoons, tamarind and bamboo sticks, brooms, ropes, stones and much more. The tools used for Tibetan massage are a wooden or metal stick, stone, rope, shell, cups, animal horns, rolling pin for rolling out dough, etc.

However, today the products used by massage therapists not only have a beneficial effect, but also often provide aesthetic pleasure. Familiar and original, causing bewilderment and a desire to touch, the massage therapist’s “assistants” have ancient traditions and modern methods of application.

"Magic" bags

Round cotton bags filled with a mixture of herbs were one of the secret devices of the ancient healers of Thailand. Such bags are now used for hot compresses that cure muscle pathologies and pain. For each disease, a compress with a unique set of ingredients is prepared. These compresses are traditionally used to perform massage techniques or in combination with massage. The use of warm bags during the procedure activates blood circulation and lymph flow, increases the intensity of metabolism and thus increases the effectiveness of the massage. The bags are also used for spa peeling procedures. As a result, the texture and tone of the skin improves, active lifting and modeling of contours occurs, and a calming effect on the nervous system is achieved.

Canvas bags filled with medicinal herbs are often used in Ayurvedic practice. Thus, the rejuvenating technique “patra putali” is performed using castor leaves and a large amount of spices, wrapped in tight linen bags, which are immersed in warm medicated oil. With the help of nodules, the body is massaged, rubbed and warmed up. Another Ayurvedic technique - “pinda swedana” - uses a special variety of rice boiled with herbs as a filler for the bags, and then the bags are soaked in a hot decoction of milk and herbs.

But not only Eastern countries have a history of massage with canvas bags. For a long time in Rus', compresses with heated buckwheat or buckwheat massage were used. Buckwheat helped not only with physical ailments, but also with “the emptiness of the soul and the vanity of the mind,” that is, as an antidepressant. The dry warmth of buckwheat soothes, creates a feeling of home comfort and security, and also has vasodilating, anesthetic and sorbing effects. That's why buckwheat massage is successfully used in spas today.

Thus, a massage using hot compresses has a complex effect on the body - essential oils and aromatic herbs make breathing easier, the warmth and healing components of the bags relieve tension, toxins are removed from the body, and a feeling of harmony of soul and body appears.

Stone Power

The use of stones by humans for medicinal purposes (lithotherapy, from the Greek litos - “stone”) also has a long tradition. In Ancient China, Japan, India, Egypt, and the countries of North and South America, various stones were used to treat a variety of diseases. In China, hot stones were used in relaxation procedures 2000 years ago. In Hawaii, shamans healed with hardened lava stones wrapped in leaves. Modern Indian Ayurveda uses stones to charge the energy centers of the body - chakras. Stone therapy as a technique was developed and patented in 1993 by American massage therapist and cosmetologist Mary Nelson-Hennigan. The essence of stone therapy is a certain sequence of touching hot and cold stones to the patient’s body, accompanied by a special massage.

The positive effect of stone therapy on the body is to stimulate the activity of the central and autonomic nervous system; relieving fatigue, tension, excitability; improving central and peripheral blood flow and lymph flow; dilation of blood vessels and improvement of local blood circulation and, consequently, increased metabolism; restoration of tone, turgor and water balance of the skin, etc.

Most often, basalt rocks are used in hot stone therapy - modified volcanic stones formed during volcanic eruptions. Basalt contains a huge amount of micro- and macroelements (magnesium, iron) and is able to retain heat for a long time. The property of basalt stones to slowly release heat helps soften tissues, relax muscles, warm cold areas of the body and allows the use of basalt on problem spots or large areas of the body.

Marble stones, which are formed in the depths of the earth from limestone, are usually used as cold stones for stone therapy. Marble retains its coolness for a long time even on hot summer days.

Stone therapy stones are used in Shi-tao cosmetic care, which was developed by Babor specialists together with specialists from the Lokai Meridian Shiatsu Cologne Institute, taking into account traditional oriental massage techniques.

Based on the vacuum principle

Vacuum cupping massage is an ancient healing and health system based on the principle of vacuum. This technique has been used for many millennia in Eastern countries; it is also known in folk medicine in Russia. With the advent of manuology, a science that studies the healing effects of the hand, the technique received its rebirth. The cupping-vacuum massage is based on a reflex mechanism, which begins with irritation of skin receptors by the vacuum created in the jar. The vacuum causes a significant local rush of blood to the tissues, stimulating metabolic and restoration processes in the tissues. In this case, there is an energetic influx of arterial and outflow of venous blood, irritation of the nerve endings of the skin and underlying tissues, and improvement of lymph circulation. Massage helps remove toxins, enrich the skin with oxygen and deep muscle relaxation. This leads to improved skin elasticity and lifting.

Exotic spa holidays

In addition to the already familiar stones, bags and other special devices for massage, the price lists of salons are full of sonorous names of exotic procedures. Accordingly, their attributes also attract with the unknown of sensations and impressions.

The body lifting program with heavenly coconuts combines active natural ingredients to sculpt the silhouette and strengthen tissues with a unique massage technique using coconut bowls. The rounded shape and smooth surface of the polished coconut halves promise an extraordinary sensation from the procedure, immersing the body in the rhythm of soothing waves. The deft choreography of the massage includes virtuoso techniques combined with the unique sliding of coconut bowls.

The bamboo tree in Asia symbolizes strength and flexibility. Created by nature to be smooth, light and hard, bamboo is used in treatments as an original massage tool. Particularly effective for relieving muscle tension, massage with bamboo sticks revitalizes many of the body's sensors thanks to a special technique and varying intensity of impact.

An energetic spa massage with Philippine shells transports the client to a real spa resort. For the full effect, they are applied to the ears so that the stereophonic sound of the sea surf immerses the client in the most pleasant memories and dreams.

Sound massage

A massage attribute quite unusual for our latitudes is ringing bowls, used in the cultures of various countries, for example, China, Japan and Thailand. In these countries, ringing bowls are used primarily during ritual celebrations in temples.

Massage with ringing bowls (nada massage), thanks to their sound and vibrations, provides relaxation and pleasant sensations. Ringing bowls are used in cosmetology and wellness to relax and maintain the health of the body, as well as in foot care.

The sound massage technique is very ancient. It is based on knowledge of the deeply penetrating effects of sounds, which the Tibetans used 5,000 years ago. Traditional healers of Nepal claim that human health is ensured by the harmonious vibrations of his body. If dissonance creeps into these vibrations, harmony is disrupted and the person becomes ill. Thanks to the influence of harmonious sounds, balance is restored and the person recovers. The sound of the ringing bowls reaches the internal organs of a person, causing “vibrations of the soul.” It relieves tension, mobilizes the body's forces necessary for self-healing, and releases creative energy. An important prerequisite for activating self-healing powers is the ability to relax. Only in this way is it possible to relieve tension and energy blockades.

Even though modern ringing bowls are mostly made in India, they are called "Tibetan ringing bowls". They differ somewhat in shape and alloy composition, so the range of overtones of these bowls is less wide. According to legend, the alloy from which the ringing bowl is made must include seven metals that correspond to the seven classical planets: gold - the Sun, silver - the Moon, mercury - Mercury, copper - Venus, iron - Mars, tin - Jupiter and lead - Saturn . The main component of the alloy is bronze.

The ringing bowls can be struck with fingers, wooden, metal or felt mallets, according to a specific system. The vibration generated by sound stimulates the flow of energy in the body. The method of using ringing bowls is simple: with a mallet made of one of the mentioned materials, hit the ringing bowl, and then slowly move it above the surface of the body, at a distance of 15–20 cm from the skin, or place vibrating ringing bowls under the feet. Sound massage can be carried out in combination with other treatment methods, as an auxiliary procedure and as an independent technique - reflexogenic sound massage of the foot areas. The result of such a massage is relaxation of the body and the achievement of harmony - ideal prerequisites for subsequent procedures.

Healing Jewels

Massage with semi-precious stones and glass spheres is associated with luxury, especially with the appropriate surroundings of the procedure. At the same time, each manufacturer of cosmetic products develops its own new techniques and the necessary tools for them.

Thus, the Christina company presents soothing crystal beauty balls for facial massage. Filled with a non-freezing liquid that maintains a low temperature for a long time and is harmless to the skin, they relieve pain, narrow capillary vessels and pores, increase skin tone, eliminate fluid accumulation in tissues, disinfect, and cool. Used for the periorbital area, to eliminate fluid accumulation and reduce swelling, relieve redness and eye fatigue. The balls are “rolled” in the direction of the lymph flow paths, due to which lymphatic drainage of the face is carried out.

Asian massage with spheres from Academie gives real pleasure and restores strength. It combines two massage techniques using two different types of spheres. Orange-colored spheres filled with the warmth of the Sun relieve muscle tension. Indigo lunar spheres restore a sense of harmony and peace. This union of the Sun and Moon symbolically unites masculine and feminine principles, strength and softness.

Massage with semi-precious stones can be considered both an independent technique and a type of stone therapy. For such a massage, obsidian, onyx, lapis lazuli or other crystals are widely used. For example, the Gemology technique is a massage with rose quartz, rock crystal, aventurine and fluorite crystals, developed specifically for this brand. Massage with semi-precious stones strengthens the nervous system and equalizes blood pressure.

Of course, massage tools are not limited to the examples given above. Cosmetology manufacturing companies continue to surprise specialists and their clients with unusual accessories. All that remains is to follow new products and master new techniques.

Source: KOSMETIK international journal, No. 3(33), 2008, pp. 44-48