What if we relaxed a little? 😋
Here’s a topic you’re sure to enjoy. Today, we’re going to talk about wellness through the benefits of massage.
Indeed, what better way to get a massage in a zen setting by the expert hands of an experienced masseur to release muscle tension, ease soreness, and let go of stress?
Gentle, slow, invigorating, or more intense massage?
Massage therapy is practised in many places around the world. You’ll hear about Balinese, Japanese, Thai, Polynesian, or Oriental massage, along with its inseparable argan oil.
Depending on the region, the massage techniques used all aim to give us a sense of well-being and release tension throughout the body.
All parts of the body are then stimulated: the soles of the feet, back, forearms, hands, legs, neck, face, not to mention the scalp—a true sensory delight.🤩
In spa institutes, you will most often have a choice between 5 body treatment practices.
Very often, you will start with a sauna or hammam, ideal for eliminating toxins. This is followed by a massage, a guaranteed escape.
The most popular practices are :
- Swedish massage : Gentle, toning, and deep
- Indian massage : an ancestral practice distinguished by 2 very distinct styles: ayurveda and abhyanga
- California massage : Its benefits are stress-relieving. It is a massage with multiple techniques: effleurage, kneading, friction, tapping, and vibrations
- Thai massage : Recognized as a more athletic massage than those mentioned above, kneading, pressure, and stretching are on the menu. It works on certain organs to loosen muscle knots by applying more or less strong pressure on different parts of the body
- Shiatsu : Derived from Thai massage, it is performed with acupressure points. Another practice just as beneficial as those mentioned above.
In these different massages, it is not uncommon for practitioners to use tools that are, most of the time, made from bamboo.
Bamboo massage: its origins and benefits
There are several reasons why bamboo is chosen to make massage tools.
Beyond its exotic appeal, it is a hardy plant that grows without fertilizers or pesticides at a rate that beats the competition.
It is difficult to verify the exact origins of bamboo’s use in massage practices. This plant grows naturally, except at the poles and in Europe. Some say the practice was born in Asia, others in Africa.
Bamboo massages are beneficial in several ways: they have the special ability to reduce the orange-peel effect while draining and toning the skin. Bamboo use has an anti-cellulite effect.
The benefits include :
- A boost in energy and reduced stress
- A more streamlined figure
- Better blood flow that helps ease our everyday aches and pains
- Softer, smoother skin
However, here are some contraindications that should be noted for people suffering from :
- Cardiovascular problems
- Varicose veins or dermatological conditions
- Recent fractures or burns
- Not to mention pregnant women
What are the different bamboo massage tools?
You’ll find them in several sizes, shapes, and forms. Indeed, some are designed with a handle and inlaid with beads whose rolling action gently targets different areas. Others, however, are carved with a slightly rounded pointed tip to be used for acupressure with the help of a small hammer, like the practice of Tok sen.
School : Wat Pho
FB Group : Therapy THAI
There are also suction cups that work by suction, but it is the bamboo sticks or rods that you will most often come across.
There are 5 of them :
- Hollow bamboo : used at the start of a massage for an initial sensation on previously oiled skin, it is used like a rolling pin
- Salt-shaker bamboo : it makes it possible to spread oil abundantly over the body. It is hollow and pierced with small holes
- Chopstick bamboo : two sticks positioned between the fingers so they are brought close together in order to catch and crush the dimples, thus improving blood pressure
- Bamboo bundle : made up of several small bamboos tied together, helping stimulate blood circulation
- Rain bamboo : generally used at the end of a session, it helps eliminate toxins and relaxes the muscles. In addition, as its name suggests, the sounds made by this tool recall the sound of raindrops, a melody that is as relaxing as the crackling of wood in a fireplace!
Get yourself the tools of a true masseur too by browsing our wellness and relaxation collection in our online store.
Indeed, we have made bamboo our raw material. Feel free to check out our blog as well as all our other sections.
Discover our fashion accessories, kitchen tools, and clever gadgets made in an eco-friendly way, most often from bamboo.
How does a bamboo massage session work?
Bamboo rod massage sessions are not a massage style in themselves like Thai, Swedish, Californian massages...
The use of tools is an added extra to help emphasise several techniques such as effleurage, kneading, skin rolling, or acupressure. It is up to the massage practitioner to introduce these tools if they feel it is necessary in their massage ritual.
Bamboo massage sessions last from 30 minutes to an hour and can be done as a couple, depending on the institute.
