Amma massage

The Japanese origins of Amma massage

Japanese Amma is the foundation of all forms of acupressure, including modern forms of Shiatsu. Originating in China, Amma first appeared in Japan about 1500 years ago (6th century). It is a full-body massage involving various techniques, performed on the floor or on a table. It is a "Kata".

Amma was for a long time the only massage recognised in Japan. It is taught in specialised schools and has been granted a state licence. It should be noted that from the end of the 18th century until the middle of the 20th century, it was, by decree, practiced exclusively by blind people for whom it was their "livelihood". In order to circumvent the law, some practitioners who were not blind changed the name of the practice. This is how Shiatsu (finger pressure) was born, which is better known today.

At the beginning of World War II, more than 90% of the people practicing Amma massage were blind. At the end of the war, Amma was banned by General MacArthur, leaving many practitioners without work and with no prospect of making a living. The result was an epidemic of suicides among Amma practitioners.

Today, the vast majority of massage schools in Japan teach Amma, despite the fact that very few people born after the war have heard the word in reference to massage. This is largely due to the success of Torujiro Namikoshi who in 1940 opened the Japan Shiatsu School. Due to his marketing skills, Shiatsu was recognised by the Japanese government as a separate massage style from Amma in 1964.

The importance of seated Amma massage today

Amma seated and table massage was developed in the West by David Palmer (USA) from 1980. He approached companies in Silicon Valley with this service in the workplace, and it was an immediate success. This massage was perfectly suited to the needs of the employees and, of course, effectively relieved the tension that the computer scientists felt in their bodies. Indeed, the posture in front of the computer has many consequences due to the permanent activity of the fingers on the keyboard: tensions, tensions and excessive mobilizations. These tensions go up to the shoulders, extend to the neck and head and then down to the lower back. David Palmer quickly demonstrated the benefits of massaging staff in the office, as this method led to gains in attention, productivity and good humour.

David Palmer invented seated massage and introduced it to companies

Trained by the Japanese Master Takashi Nakamura, David Palmer is the initiator of seated massage, often considered the father of this practice. He is also the designer of the ergonomic massage chair that all professionals work with. The massage profession owes a lot to David Palmer, his skills are no longer to be proven, which is why practitioners and trainers refer to him so often. His ambition was and still is to make touching accessible to as many people as possible and in a safe way for the giver and the receiver.

It was in 1982 that David Palmer began experimenting with sequences of Amma massage (traditional Japanese massage) on people in a seated posture rather than lying on a table. It soon became clear that a suitable chair was needed. With the help of French cabinetmaker Serge Bouyssou, he gradually developed the first ergonomic massage chair (1986). Practical and comfortable, the invention of this chair led to the birth of a new profession.

While running the American school "The Amma Institute of San Francisco", David Palmer offered his services in Silicon Valley. Seduced by the technique, Steve Jobs instituted seated Amma at Apple in 1984 on a regular basis, offering up to 350 seated massages per week to his employees. This decisive step was the starting point of this success story.

Duration : the duration of an Amma session is flexible depending on the amount of listening time required at the beginning and end.

Precautions : it is important to note that in the case of significant pain or health problems, it is recommended that the recipient seek medical advice if this has not been done beforehand.

Setting : at Touch'Energy, the Amma session takes place in a clean and airy setting that promotes relaxation, with soft, relaxing music. The receiver remains clothed, whether for a seated or lying Amma massage, and preferably in loose, comfortable clothing.

Introductory interview : During this interview, the client is received by the practitioner who listens to the client and is invited to discuss the reason for seeking Amma, the context of the visit, and what the client hopes to achieve with this energy therapy. This interview allows the practitioner to try to understand the client's problems and to assess any tensions. It also allows the practitioner to discuss any particular problems with the client and to make them aware of the energetic mechanisms or blocking positions that prevail in them. In addition, the practitioner takes the opportunity to describe the course of the session. With listening and verbal support from the practitioner, this interview aims to establish a climate of trust with the client in order to contribute to the success of the session.

Preparation before the massage : just before the session, the practitioner takes a few moments to wash his or her hands, before entering a calm and serene state. After this preparation, the actual session begins. The receiver relaxes and closes his eyes so that the Amma massage session takes place in optimal conditions.

The massage session by Touch'Energy : During the session, the client or the recipient of the treatment does not need to look for attitudes to promote increased concentration or to adopt deep breathing movements. While the practitioner places his or her hands on the appropriate parts of the body according to the type of massage, the receiver does nothing but remain in the most comfortable physical posture possible. There is no particular action on the part of the receiver, who breathes normally. He keeps his eyes closed in order to enter into a state of relaxation, while letting go or letting go of accumulated tensions, in order to welcome the massage. The practitioner practices the Kata, a precise and technical sequence of pressure, stretching, percussion and sweeping. Depending on the recipient's convenience, the pressure applied by the hands is more or less strong, adapted to the client's request. The receiver can indicate to the practitioner at any time if the pressure should be modified.

Seated Amma massage procedure

A seated Amma massage session lasts between 15 and 20 minutes, with variations between 5 and 30 minutes. It takes place in five stages :

• Welcome
• Health questionnaire with prior verification of contraindications (pregnant women, pacemakers, haemophiliacs, phlebitis)
• Adjustment of the chair
• Installation posture: the client sits on a massage chair that has been previously adjusted, placing his or her knees, chest and head in the area provided for this purpose according to the practitioner's recommendations.
• Massage: the practitioner massages the client on the head, neck, shoulders, arms and back.

Procedure of the Amma massage lying on a table

A 60-minute Amma massage session on a table takes place in four stages :

• Welcome
• Health questionnaire with prior verification of contraindications (pregnant women, pacemakers, haemophiliacs, phlebitis)
• Installation posture : the client lies on his stomach on a massage table, placing his hands next to his head, according to the practitioner's recommendations. The client then lies on their back for the rest of the massage.
• Massage: the practitioner massages the client's head, skull, face, neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, stomach, pelvis, hips, legs, knees, ankles and toes.

After the session, the practitioner listens sympathetically to the client and can explain the possible effects of the energy: relaxation, loosening up or boosting energy. He can discuss with the client, who can then ask any questions. This interview at the end of the session also allows the client to talk about what he or she felt during the session.

The benefits of an Amma session, whether lying on a table or sitting, vary from person to person and on different levels. Some people experience them from the first session, others in subsequent sessions. The most commonly reported benefits are :

• A feeling of deep relaxation and release.
• A release of physical and/or emotional tension.
• A reduction in stress.
• Relief from pain and restoration of vitality.