massage techniques

Lomi Lomi Massage: What is it? What it is used for, how to practice, expected benefits and contraindications of I.Randi

Generality

The Lomi Lomi massage is a special type of massage originating in Hawaii .

The purpose of the Lomi Lomi massage is not to simply achieve physical well-being, but also to achieve well - being and harmony with oneself and the surrounding environment. In a sense, therefore, despite being from a geographically opposite place, the Lomi Lomi massage is based on a philosophy similar (but not the same) to that which is the basis of various types of oriental massages.

As mentioned, the Lomi Lomi massage originated on the islands of Hawaii, where it is practiced by expert masseurs and handed down from generation to generation for a very long time. In the past, Lomi Lomi massage was used by Hawaiian shamans, the so-called Ka Huna - literally "the guardians of the secret".

Curiosity

In addition to being known as a Hawaiian massage, the Lomi Lomi massage is also known under the Hawaiian language name of Lomi Lomi Nui .

What is that

What is Lomi Lomi massage?

Lomi Lomi massage is a form of massage originating in the Hawaiian archipelago. Those who practice it do not consider it simply as a set of manipulations aimed at achieving physical well-being, but rather as a means to achieve the balance between body and mind and harmony with the external environment .

What is it for

Purpose of the Lomi Lomi Massage

As mentioned, the purpose of the Lomi Lomi massage is to exert a regenerating effect and to give the individual a psychophysical well-being, making him reach a state of harmony between body, mind and the surrounding environment.

Going into more detail, tradition has it that the Lomi Lomi massage is performed in order to restore the vital energy - defined as " mana " - of the individual.

Lomi Lomi Massage in Tradition

In the past, when the Lomi Lomi massage was practiced by shamans and Hawaiian healers, manipulation techniques were performed in multiple situations: during healing rites, religious rites, rites of passage and rituals practiced on "chosen" people with a certain influence on the community. These rites could last for several hours and were usually accompanied by shamanic dances and religious songs.

Lomi Lomi massage today

Nowadays, the Lomi Lomi massage is also widespread in Europe and in general in the Western world of the old continent, where it is performed in beauty centers and spas.

In similar locations, the Lomi Lomi massage is used above all in the presence of the disorders and conditions listed below in order to counteract them, alleviate them or facilitate their resolution:

  • Stress and mental fatigue;
  • Depressive-like symptoms ( non pathological );
  • Concerns and emotional disturbances;
  • Pain, including chronic, muscular, bone and joint pain;
  • Traumas and injuries affecting the muscles and / or the osteoarticular apparatus.

Please note

The execution of the Lomi Lomi massage for the treatment of any disorder or condition, at the moment, is not accepted by medical science, since it is a practice whose efficacy and safety have not yet been officially confirmed by adequate experimental tests conducted with scientific method. Therefore, the Lomi Lomi massage could be ineffective or even be dangerous to health, especially if performed by inexperienced personnel and / or in the presence of certain pathologies (see contraindications).

The information given is for illustrative purposes only. If in doubt, contact your doctor.

How to practice

How is Lomi Lomi massage performed?

The Lomi Lomi massage should be performed only by professional masseurs who know perfectly the manipulation techniques that characterize it. In addition to this, since this type of massage aims to produce beneficial effects also on a mental level and not only on a physical level, the masseur should fully understand all the problems complained of by the patient, so as to personalize the treatment.

Preliminary interview

In order for the masseur to become aware of and understand the ailments and discomforts afflicting the person, before the session begins, he should carry out a preliminary interview with the same. During this interview, the masseur will question the individual in such a way as to frame his physical, mental and emotional state and then be able to elaborate a specific treatment for his problems, concentrated on certain parts of the body rather than others. In fact, according to the knowledge of the Hawaiian tradition, feelings and emotions are concentrated in specific areas of the body: for example, feelings such as love and pain would be concentrated at the level of the heart; emotions such as panic and excitement - although opposed - would be localized at the level of the area occupied by the stomach and so on.

Please note

During the preliminary interview, the serious and professional masseur should also be informed of the health conditions of the individual, of the presence of any pathologies that could represent a contraindication to the treatment, of the possible intake of drugs and the presence of allergies (in fact, as is will see, the Lomi Lomi massage involves the use of vegetable oils and butters).

In any case, remember that if you suffer from particular ailments or illnesses, as well as if you are undergoing - or have undergone - pharmacological therapies, before doing the Lomi Lomi massage, it is always good to ask the opinion of your doctor.

Performing the Massage

Once established the possibility of proceeding with the execution of the massage and once identified the problems of which the individual suffers, the masseur can start the session.

Just before the start of the actual Lomi Lomi massage, you can use heated basalt stones to promote and increase the individual's relaxation.

Generally, the massage begins in the prone position (on the stomach), starting from the nape, then massaging the back, arms, legs, hands and feet; finally, the individual is made to position upside down (supine position) and the manipulations are resumed also in the front side of the body.

Did you know that ...

According to some of the sources consulted, the Lomi Lomi massage begins in a prone position, but the manipulation starts from the left side of the body proceeding from the top (nape) downwards (feet); after which we proceed with the manipulation of the right side and, finally, we repeat the whole with the individual in a supine position.

The manipulation techniques used in the Lomi Lomi massage can be performed with fingers, hands, elbows and arms, but also with knees, feet and even sticks . The same heated stones used before the treatment can also be used during its execution. The movements made by the masseur are deep and cyclical and aim to " mimic " the movement of the ocean waves lapping the islands of Hawaii. Sometimes, the Lomi Lomi massage can be performed by two masseurs who simultaneously stimulate different areas of the body.

The Lomi Lomi massage also includes the use of natural oils and butters, used to facilitate the flow on the body of the individual. To perform the massage, the body of the latter is covered with a towel or a cloth ; the areas to be massaged are gradually discovered and then covered at the end of the manipulation.

To perform the Lomi Lomi massage at its best, the surrounding environment must be calm and peaceful, and often perfumed essences and background music are used to increase relaxation. Furthermore, tradition would like the masseur to move around the individual with graceful movements punctuated by the rhythm of the traditional Hawaiian dance, the Hula. In truth, these traditions have not been transmitted outside the Hawaiian islands - or at least they have been in very small part - therefore, it is difficult to submit to a Lomi Lomi massage to witness this "dance" of the masseur.

Curiosity

According to some of the sources consulted, the Lomi Lomi massage may undergo some variations depending on who practices it and where it is performed. This is because the manipulations that characterize it have been handed down from generation to generation by Hawaiian shamans using learning techniques based essentially on observation and the consequent imitation of the movements they perform.

Expected benefits

What Benefits Should Lomi Lomi Massage Make?

According to his supporters and according to those who practice it - in addition to finding inner harmony and the external environment - the Lomi Lomi massage should be able to bring a series of psychophysical benefits.

Expected benefits on a psychic level

The Lomi Lomi massage is given the ability to bring the following beneficial effects on the mental level:

  • Promote relaxation, combating stress and worries;
  • Infuse feelings of calm and tranquility ;
  • Conveying optimism and serenity ;
  • Achieving psychic balance ;
  • Improve the readiness to act of the individual;
  • Increase self- awareness and potential .

Expected physical benefits

As for the expected physical benefits, according to supporters of the Lomi Lomi massage, it is able to:

  • Improve lymphatic and blood circulation ;
  • Relieve and even eliminate muscular and osteoarticular pains, also chronic;
  • Improve joint motility and muscle tone ;
  • Stimulate digestion and gastrointestinal function ;
  • Improve the functionality of the urogenital system ;
  • Improve the functionality of the respiratory system .

Please note

Most of the aforementioned beneficial effects attributed to the Lomi Lomi massage are not confirmed or supported by adequate scientific studies conducted on the subject. On the other hand, there are many people who, undergoing this type of manipulation, claim to benefit from it. In particular, since it is a massage, it is likely that it can promote relaxation - both physical and mental - and that it can at the same time dissolve any muscular tension, alleviate minor pain in joints and muscles or improve blood and lymphatic circulation.

Contraindications

When Lomi Lomi Massage should NOT be practiced

Although the Lomi Lomi massage is considered a fairly safe practice, as is the case for all types of massages, there are conditions for which manipulation is not indicated.

More in detail, the use of Lomi Lomi massage is contraindicated in the following situations:

  • Presence of pathologies and skin disorders (such as, for example, infections, eczema, dermatitis, ecchymosis, burns, etc.);
  • Feverish states ;
  • Debilitation ;
  • Presence of cardiovascular diseases (for example, arteriosclerosis, hypertension, phlebitis, thrombosis, hemorrhage, myocardial infarction - even in the post-infarct period, etc.);
  • Presence of infectious diseases in progress ;
  • Presence of acute inflammatory states ;
  • Presence of renal pathologies ;
  • Presence of inflammatory bowel diseases ;
  • Presence of serious diseases such as, for example, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, osteoporosis, etc.
  • Pregnancy ;
  • In the presence of menstruation and premenstrual syndrome .

In any case, if you suffer from particular disorders or diseases, before taking Lomi Lomi massage sessions, ask your doctor for advice.