Nihon Kaifuku Anma
Encyclopedia
Nihon Kaifuku Anma is a type of Japan
ese restoration massage
. It is used in some Japanese martial arts.
Anma Massage originated in China
3000 years ago and was introduced to Japan about 1300 years ago. Shiatsu
grew out of this tradition. Anma is deep tissue
work using no oil
s and is based on kneading movements.
In Japanese, Anma means massage or massage therapist. It refers to the oldest known form of traditional Asian massage. Using no oil, Anma involves stretching, squeezing and massaging to stimulate the body to become and/or remain healthy. Anma focuses on improving muscle
condition and circulation of Qi
, or Universal Life Energy. While Western massage techniques tend to focus on relaxing the client, the goals of Anma are to influence the internal organs, maintain balanced physical and psychological functioning of the body, reduce various ailments and help with realigning of the physical structure that may be needed.
Anma is not Shiatsu but Shiatsu is a part of Anma. It was not until 1964 that Shiatsu was recognized as distinct and independent from Anma massage. Originally a Shiatsu therapist was a specialist who performed one Anma technique, the pressure method (Ap Paku Ho). Anma's foundation is the kneading technique, which combines with several different application techniques to construct the massage. The kneading technique (Ju Netsu Ho) and the percussion techniques (Ko Da Ho and Kyoku Te Ho) are a unique part of Anma and are not found in any other style of massage.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese restoration massage
Massage
Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa meaning "to touch, feel or handle"...
. It is used in some Japanese martial arts.
Anma Massage originated in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
3000 years ago and was introduced to Japan about 1300 years ago. Shiatsu
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is Japanese for "finger pressure;" it is a type of alternative medicine consisting of finger and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques. There is no scientific evidence proving that shiatsu can treat any disease, but shiatsu practitioners promote it as a way to help people...
grew out of this tradition. Anma is deep tissue
Tissue (biology)
Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. A tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function. These are called tissues because of their identical functioning...
work using no oil
Oil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
s and is based on kneading movements.
In Japanese, Anma means massage or massage therapist. It refers to the oldest known form of traditional Asian massage. Using no oil, Anma involves stretching, squeezing and massaging to stimulate the body to become and/or remain healthy. Anma focuses on improving muscle
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
condition and circulation of Qi
Qi
In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
, or Universal Life Energy. While Western massage techniques tend to focus on relaxing the client, the goals of Anma are to influence the internal organs, maintain balanced physical and psychological functioning of the body, reduce various ailments and help with realigning of the physical structure that may be needed.
Anma is not Shiatsu but Shiatsu is a part of Anma. It was not until 1964 that Shiatsu was recognized as distinct and independent from Anma massage. Originally a Shiatsu therapist was a specialist who performed one Anma technique, the pressure method (Ap Paku Ho). Anma's foundation is the kneading technique, which combines with several different application techniques to construct the massage. The kneading technique (Ju Netsu Ho) and the percussion techniques (Ko Da Ho and Kyoku Te Ho) are a unique part of Anma and are not found in any other style of massage.