According to one of the UK’s leading medically qualified homoeopaths, Dr Andrew Lockie, there are quite a few homoeopathic treatments that can be very effective for combating dandruff.

According to Dr Lockie, you should try using sulphur if you find yourself persistently scratching your head at night or if your scalp burns and you have thick, heavy dandruff. Try massaging sulphur into your scalp three or four times a day for a period of to two weeks, and you should find that your dandruff eases considerably.

On the other hand, he suggests that sepia will soothe your scalp if it is greasy, moist and sensitive to the touch around the roots.

Homeopathy Dandruff – How to Use?

However, when you are massaging these soothing substances into your scalp (or any other substances for that matter), do take care that you do not massage it into your skull too vigorously. Studies have indicated that if you are too vigorous and energetic, you will damage your hair around the roots which can speed up your natural hair loss process. Consequently, you should try to avoid significant amounts of contact between your fingernails and your hair, particularly around the roots, because it is your nails that are likely to cause most damage, and damage makes your hair fall out much more quickly.

Homeopathy Dandruff – Treatment Steps

A third option that is propounded by Dr Lockie is to use oleander if you feel that the palpable irritation from your dandruff is worsened by heat, or if you feel as if your head is covered in insect bites.

All three substances suggested by Dr Lockie can be obtained at health food stores and possibly some pharmacies as well.

Homeopathy Dandruff – Some Research

According to some research, adding flaxseed oil to your diet can help to significantly reduce the amount of oil that your skin secretes, and as we have already seen, it is the sebum that your skin secretes that provides the Malassezia yeast with something to feed and thrive on. It is believed that two or three teaspoonfuls of flaxseed oil every day (or the equivalent amount in capsules) will significantly reduce the amount of sebum you secrete, thereby reducing the ‘yeast food’ on your scalp which should in turn reduce your dandruff as well.

The technique of Shiatsu relies on knowing the interplay between the Yin and the Yang.  A practitioner also has to be aware of the importance of the interconnection between the life force or Ki and the body.  The Ki flows through the meridians or channels.  Along these channels there are Tsubo or Acupoints.  If the Ki continues to flow without blockages an excess or a deficiency, then the body is healthy and balanced.  If there is an excess (Jitsu) or lack of Ki (Kyo), there are pains, illnesses, and other health issues.

A Shiatsu practitioner is a giver.  He or she applies pressure on the acupressure points to balance the body energy and to promote good health.  One technique is called tonification.  It is a slow and gradual pressure.  Applied to the Kyo Meridians, it helps increase the energy of the Kyo meridians.  Another variation induces relaxation of the Jitsu.  The basic techniques or strokes of Shiatsu to accomplish this are palm pressure, thumb pressure, finger pressure and elbow pressure.  Yin is soft touch and lingering pressure while Yang touch is invigorating and revitalizing. 

The benefits of Shiatsu include bringing relief from the symptoms.  It helps to ease chronic pain.  A Shiatsu Massage Therapy treatment can stimulate the hormone system improving digestion and reproductive systems.  Its major intent, however, is to restore balance of the ki to insure the body is healthy.

While these are the most popular types of Massage Therapy, they are not the only ones.  There are a wide variety of types.  These include both Eastern and Western traditional massage and more modern and eclectic versions.  Both East and West have contributed to the growing demand for CAM.

Effluerage (touching lightly) is a smooth gliding stroke. 

Petrissage (kneading) is a kneading of the flesh. 

Friction (rubbing) is the deep, circular movements to the soft tissue. 

Tapotement (tapping) is the application of cupped hands, the fingers or the edge of the hand in short, alternating taps on the body. 

In addition to these 4 original strokes, the massage therapist can use vibration (shaking).

In theory, Swedish Massage helps the body to relax while it improves circulation and increases the range of motion or movement of the muscles and joints.  A practitioner uses this type of massage therapy to help an individual recover from stress and to prevent the onset of injury and stress-related illness.  By relaxing the client, Swedish Massage reduces stress.  This helps decrease stress-related illnesses.  By improving the circulation, Swedish Massage decreases swelling around the injury and enhances lymphatic system production.  As a result, healing speeds up and the reduction of swelling increases mobility of the affected parts.

Swedish Massage is the traditional form of Western Massage.  Since its origins, and with the increase of massage in popularity, massage practitioners have created variations.  These include three on the most-popular list.  The offsprings of Swedish Massage include;

Trigger Point Massage

Sports Massage and

Deep Tissue Massage.

The techniques of Sports Massage include

Effleurage

Petrissage and

Frictions. 

In addition, there is compression and cross-fiber massage. 

Sports Massage Therapists may also utilize Deep Tissue Friction (DTF).  DTF was introduced by an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr.  James Cryiax.  It is similar to the friction used in Swedish Massage but goes deeper.  It is usually applicable in situations of tendon damage and where there are micro-tears and problems to the joints and tendons.

Sports Massage also differs from Swedish Massage in another way.  While the intent of both is to heal, Sports Massage is very specific in its intent and application.  It is for athletes.  Its popularity in sports has seen its inclusion in all major sporting events.  These include the Olympic Games.  Accordingly, Sports Massage is divided into 3 areas of application: Maintenance, Event and rehabilitation.

Maintenance massage ensures the athlete can train harder and lessens the chance of injury.  Event massage is divided into 3 components: pre, inter and post.  The former is a short-stimulating massage to invigorate the blood and relax the muscles needed to get the job done.  The inter event checks for any signs of damage and helps condition of the next event.  The post event may be a 1 to 2 hour massage intended to normalize the tissue of the athlete’s body.

The most common type of sports massage, however, is rehabilitative.  Its purpose is to ensure the athlete is restored to complete physical health as quickly as possible.  It works on the effected areas to increase circulation, cut down on healing time and to restore balance to the musculo-skeletal system.

Sports Massage Therapy offers athletes of all ages and ranges benefits.  It will reduce the possibility of injury, increase range-of-motion and even the elasticity of muscles and decrease recovery time when illness strikes.  The end result of a regime of sports massage therapy is improved performance on the field.

Adhesions are tight, rigid, bands of tissue.  They are usually present on ligaments, tendons and muscles.  In doing so, the adhesions block blood and lymph circulation.  This causes pain, limited movement and often inflammation.  The therapist using Deep Tissue Massage, relies on slow strokes and finger pressure on these tight areas or adhesions.  The approach requires depth in the pressure applied. 

Like Sports Massage, Deep Massage is specific in its intent and focus.  A practitioner will work to realign connective tissue and muscles at the deeper layers.  In doing so, the therapist can address such health issues as low back problems, chronic pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia and restricted or limited movement of the muscles and joints.

Trigger points are responsible for a variety of pain, usually throbbing and dull aches.  These include headaches, neck and jaw pain, lower back pain and joint pain.  Trigger points may indicate carpal tunnel syndrome.  Earaches, dizziness, nausea, heartburn, colic in babies and sinus pain or congestion can all be the result of trigger points.  The defining symptom of a trigger point is something called referred pain.  The trigger point is an indication of the problem which may not, itself, originate at the trigger point.  Relieving tension and stress from the trigger point will, however, start the healing process and break the cycle of pain-spasm-pain.

Trigger Point Massage Therapy recognizes three different types or regions of trigger points.  There are central trigger points, satellite trigger points and attachment trigger points.  You may have an active or a latent trigger point.  All effect the healthy functioning of the body.  Pressure on the correct trigger point will relieve the pain and hasten the healing of the body.  The method utilized by the practitioner is similar to Asian Acupressure.  Deep sustained finger pressure is applied to the trigger points to release them.  As with Swedish Massage, Trigger Point has also spawned variations and adaptations.  Two specific versions are neuromuscular therapy and Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy.

Eastern versus Western; Traditional versus Modern Eclectic

Massage therapy initially separates into two basic types: Eastern and Western.  The latter form is also referred to as Chinese, Japanese or Asian.  While the two formats have commonalities, there are also differences.  This is not simply a question of origin.  It is a matter of philosophy.  Western Massage traditionally treats the body as a physical entity.  It bases its approach on western ideals and understanding of medicine.  Eastern or Asian Massage looks at the body as part of a whole.  It considers the physical, emotional and mental aspects of a human being as one interdependent entity.

Within the frame work of Eastern and Western Massage, you find two basic subdivisions.  These are traditional and modern eclectic.  Traditional massage therapy conforms to the original concepts.  They remain staunchly Eastern or Western in their outlook and approach to treatment.  Modern, eclectic massage therapy diverges.  It can be Western Massage techniques utilizing Eastern philosophy.  It could also be Eastern techniques with a more Western approach to medical concepts.  Modern eclectic massage therapy essentially offers a variation on the original theme.

Western Massage Therapy

The original version of Western Massage Therapy is, without a doubt, Swedish Massage.  In fact in Sweden and among many practitioners, Swedish Massage is known as Classic Massage.  It is a massage therapy based entirely on a physical or medical approach.  It is the physical body that is of importance.  A massage therapist of this and other traditional forms of Western Massage, focus on the anatomy as defined by Western medical research.  These massage therapists work within a tradition that uses the current concepts of the scientific understanding and findings on the physical entity we call the body. 

Traditional forms of Western Massage include

Sports Massage

Medical Massage  and

Deep Tissue Massage. 

Approaches with slight variations are

Esalen Massage

Hellerwork

Myofascial Release

Rolfing and

Trigger Point Massage or Myotherapy. 

The massage therapists of these types of massage focus only on the physical repair and maintenance of the body.  In Rolfing, for example, a massage therapist works with the muscles and the layers of fascia (connective tissues) to reorganize or restructure or realign the body.  Esalen Massage essentially draws on Swedish Massage with rocking movements and deep tissue massage strokes to help restore the functionality of the body.

Eastern Massage Therapy

The standard form of Eastern Massage Therapy is Chinese or Asian Massage Therapy.  This can take many forms.  The most standard is acupressure.  Its approach is strictly based on the philosophical and medical concepts from the East.  It perceives the healing of a body to be realized only with the involvement of the life force.  This is the Chi or Qi, in Chinese, and the Ki in Japanese. 

In Traditional Chinese or Japanese Massage Therapy, the practitioner works with the energy or life force to heal the body.  It is all about balancing the energy within the body.  It is also about creating and maintaining a physical, mental and emotional balance.  In the traditional form of Asian massage therapy, the therapist is striving to restore a balance among all aspects of the body.  Moreover, he or she accomplishes this using a system based on a concept of meridians or pathways. 

A blockage of any of the 12 meridians or 8 channels, according to Acupressure theory, will cause many adverse effects such as disease and emotional trauma.  By placing pressure on specific points, the practitioner clears the channels.  This allows free flow of energy, balance is restored and health improves.  Other traditional versions of Western or Asian massage therapy include

Amma (Japan)

Tuina or Tui Na (China) and

Thai Massage. 

All these forms of Asian massage rely on the philosophical and medical approaches of the East.  Tuina, for example, works with specific acupressure points to stimulate the joints and muscles.  Techniques are traditional Chinese brushing, kneading, rolling and pressing.

Mixed Massage Therapy

Both Asian and Western massage practitioners follow their own concept of physiology.  There are, however, eclectic combinations.  While some may base their origins in the past, they are revivals or recreations not the original.  Falling into this mixed category are

Shiatsu

Reiki

Aromatherapy Massage and

Reflexology. 

While some, such as Shiatsu and Reiki, base their approach on traditional Oriental massage therapy or medicine, they combine more modern approaches or update the practices.  Aromatherapy Massage, for example, combines the use of aromatic oils with various massage techniques. 

Yet, Eastern and Western, as well as all the subdivisions, all have the same goal – a healthy, happy human.  How they achieve it is different.  The techniques vary.  The philosophy may be radically distinctive.  Yet, the goal of making a person feel and act whole again remains true for all forms of massage therapy.  In the following pages you will learn more about these distinct types of massage therapy.  You will discover how they differ and how they are the same.  It begins with a look at the most popular types of Massage Therapy: Swedish Massage, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage and Shiatsu.

There is no lack of good schools on massage therapy.  There are many different college courses and training programs.  The curriculum for each and the focus will vary.  You may attend a course providing general information on a variety of massage techniques.  You could also go to a college or school which concentrates on or promotes a specific type of massage therapy e.g.  Swedish, Sports or Trigger-Point. 

How To Become A Massage Therapist? – How to choose a course?

In general, be sure to choose a course which offers you an extensive look at topics covering anatomy, kinesiology and physiology.  This will provide you with a solid grounding in basic body mechanics, physical makeup and motor development.  You will need to thoroughly understand how the body works if you want to be effective in your career choice.  Make sure you prepare yourself well in advance by taking courses in such sciences as biology during your high school years. 

Besides courses in physiology and related topics, your selected massage school should offer a curriculum preparing you for the different types of techniques used in massage therapy.  These should include a look at both Western and Asian methods.  A basic overview of the types of massage should contain Swedish Massage and Traditional Chinese Massage.  The two provide an excellent and comprehensive overview of the history and techniques of massage therapy you will require in your chosen field.

How To Become A Massage Therapist? – Specializing

You may also wish to specialize.  There are a variety of massage therapy schools that focus only on specific type of massage therapy.  While you will still learn the basics, the major focal point will be a particular type of massage therapy or a technique.  You may want to concentrate on Shiatsu, Reflexology, Reiki or Aromatherapy Massage.  Your interest may lie in Trigger-Point, Swedish Massage or Sports Massage.  It is probably a good idea to take a general overview before you commit yourself to one specific type.  This will ensure you do not spend time in a course your ultimately decide is wrong for you and your intent.  If you are unsure as to your preference, enroll in a general course. 

How To Become A Massage Therapist? – Workshops

Another way to eliminate what you like from what you have no interest in is to attend workshops.  Many local colleges, on-going education programs and community centers offer special interest courses.  These frequently include instruction in massage.  Attend one or more of these to see if you have the personality, talent and intent for becoming a massage therapist.

How To Become A Massage Therapist? – Practical vs theory

During the selection process, consider the number of practical versus theory practice offered by the schools.  In the long run, it is the implementation of what you learn that will determine what type of massage therapist you will become.  Therefore, it is essential to see whether your school has a focus. 

Does it concentrate on the theoretical aspect or the practical?

Do you have sufficient sessions in applying what you learn?

Is there an apprentice-type program where you can see and put what you learn into action?

How To Become A Massage Therapist? – Business skills

When you determine your course of post secondary education, look to see if the school offers courses in operating in the world of business.  Such a curriculum will allow you to explore the options open to a massage therapist.  These may include working in an office environment, alongside a chiropractor, out of your home or in your own office or shop.  To help you make your decision, the ideal school will include financial courses.  A reputable massage therapy school will provide you with information on such things as operating costs, location, financial options and how to prepare a business plan.  A good massage school will also not ignore the topic of ethics both in business and with your clients.  You need to be aware of these issues if you wish to be successful and the best possible massage therapist for your clients.

Massage schools may also help you obtain gainful employment.  They can provide you with guidance in selecting employment.  Some schools offer job placement services for their graduates.  They also continue to support their alumni with specific services to help them continue their learning.  This may include post-graduate courses or workshops.

How To Become A Massage Therapist? – Accreditation and licensing

Choose your school with care.  Check to see if the courses you are taking are not only pertinent but are accredited.  Since some states require licenses to operate, be sure you select a school meeting with their approval.  Be aware, your education is ongoing.  In some places, maintaining a valid license involves continually update your education and improving your skill through annual attendance at courses and workshops.

Be sure your school prepares you for the taking of any exams following your graduation.  Some countries require you take a specific examination before you are able to operate in their jurisdiction.  In the United States, you may be required to take the Certified Examination for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB).  In Europe and the United Kingdom, there are different licensing organizations and exams.  The licensing requirements may actually vary in different cities.  This may lead to confusion.  The Irish Massage Therapists Association (IMTA), for example is trying to establish a national examination.

At the same time, rubbing the affected part or parts assists in draining the excessive or excess fluid built-up in the system or area.  This also reduces the tension on the body part.  The muscle or joint, therefore, also regains some of the lost mobility.  While Massage Therapy cannot claim to actually increase muscle strength, it does stimulate the weak and atrophied muscles and joints.  This, in turn helps to improve circulation and improves the range of movement.

By rubbing the skin, the practitioner also helps to release endorphins.  Endorphins are the feel good, pain killing chemicals in the body.  As massage releases the endorphins, the patient feels a decrease in pain.  As a result, he or she can relax.  They can get more sleep.  Bodies heal best when the patient is relaxed and inactive.  By inducing endorphins to act, massage therapy increases the ability of the body to heal itself.

Overall, massage affects the autonomic nervous system by soothing the nerve endings of the skin.  In doing so it helps to calm down the entire body.  It also affects the lymphatic system.  Lymph surrounds every cell in your body.  Lymph is responsible for supplying nourishment.  Lymph system also carries away waste products.  When lymph returns to the heart, it brings with it the waste products, viruses and bacteria from the cells through the lymphatic vessels.  The system contains filters or lymph nodes.  These purify the contents so they can then return clean to the heart to start the process over again.  Massage makes sure there are no knots or blockages to the process.  Massage also stimulates the production and flow of lymph.

Many illnesses are emotional or result from stress.  Heart disease is one medical problem, for example, directly linked to stress.  Massage Therapy soothes the body and the mind.  In doing so, it relaxes the person.  It thus reduces stress and removes or decreases the feelings of anxiety, worry and even depression.

Massage Therapy is a valid way of improving your life.  It is beneficial for you in so many different ways.  It is a method that knows no gender, age or race.  Touch is an essential part of all our lives.  No matter who we are we can benefit from the powers of positive touching or therapeutic massage.

Massage Therapy can influence the health of people of all ages in a positive fashion.  Babies and seniors can benefit from massage therapy.  The sense of touch is more than a sensation.  It is greater than a mere laying-on of hands or casual stroke.  Massage therapy is a means of maintaining and improving your health.

Massage therapy, depending upon the type, is either directed towards a specific injury or body part, e.g.  sports massage, or is more general in its scope.  The purpose can also vary according to the practitioner and the client.  It may be a matter of maintenance or an issue of rehabilitation.  Yet, overall, the purpose of Massage Therapy remains the same – to promote and maintain a healthy body balance. 

Purposes of Massage Therapy

The following are specific and basic purposes of Massage Therapy.  They cover a variety of functions and intents: 

1. Relax the body e.g.  tight muscles and tense joints,
2. Remove stress and anxiety from your mind
3. Stimulate circulation of blood and lymph to help improve various physical operations of the body
4. Help the immune system function at its best
5. Abet recovery or rehabilitation time of ill or debilitated patients
6. Improve overall health
7. Reduce and/or relieve pain –chronic and otherwise
8. Remove stress
9. Create or reinstate homeostasis (optimum health)

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy produces a number of different benefits for the body and the person who inhabits it.  These are not New Age babblings.  Research provides support for several of the claims.  Admittedly more scientific studies need to be undertaken to provide further data, but to date, university research and studies made by the National Institutes of Health provide some validity to support the following:

1. Regular massage can increase weight gain among infants exposed to the HIV-Aids virus.
2. Patients after abdominal surgery have a quicker recovery time if they receive regular massage.
3. People suffering from hypertension show a decrease in their blood pressure after Massage Therapy sessions.
4. Sufferers of migraine headaches have a decrease in pain with a massage treatment system in place.

Increasingly research studies are beginning to support other benefits attributed to Massage Therapy.  These include the following: 

1. Improves digestion
2. Reduces or lowers blood pressure
3. Releases pain killing chemicals – endorphins
4. Balances hormone action
5. Improves blood circulation
6. Increases lymph flow
7. Abets muscle relaxation
8. Increases the range of motion for muscles and increases the flexibility of joints by lessening tension and stiffness
9. Reduces instances of joint and musculature swelling
10. Helps muscles and joints, sprains and injuries heal faster
11. Reduces the chance and extent of scar tissue formation
12. Mitigates stress and anxiety
13. Reduces pregnancy tenderness and discomfort
14.  Introduces essential oils into the skin

Reduces dependency on medicine by providing an alternative pain management system.