Preliminary Comparation Between Traditional Malay Massage And Traditional Chinese Massage

Objective:A comparative study between Traditional Chinese massage and Traditional Malay massage.To explore and analyze the similarities and differences of their concepts,theories and clinical techniques.To respond to WHO’s objectives with the plethora of information relating to traditional medicine and promote the usage of traditional medicine together with current treatment methodologies.Methods:Using the Internet and relevant written sources to investigate the history of traditional massage and its technique.Analyze and systematically compare the characteristics of both Traditional Chinese massage and Traditional Malay massage.Results:Through this research topic,it has revealed that Traditional Malay massage is recognized as being part of medicine.Malay Traditional massage in the Malay Language is also known as "Urut".By technique,it is a combination of kneading,stroking and pressing down with the use of hands to relax the body muscles.Malay massage does not have the same as the therapeutic effect as that of the natural plant or herbal oil,sometimes it is accompanied by special prayers,for the needs of each person’s body.Traditional Malay massage treats sprains,dislocations,neuralgia,headaches,asthma,heart disease,migraines,diabetes,erectile dysfunction and paralysis.Its benefits include expelling wind from the body,correcting tense meridians,improving blood circulation,uplifting the womb,breaking down fats,eliminating internal bruising,assisting new moms to get back in shape,and accelerating the entire recovery process.Traditional malay massage can be applied to healthy men and women or patients,women after childbirth,male erectile dysfunction,foot massage and cupping.Chinese massage is based on the fundamentals of the theories of viscera and meridians of Chinese medicine.Combined and integrated with the anatomy and pathology diagnosis of western medicine,and it uses the massage technique to regulate the physiological and pathological condition of the body.By its nature,it is a form of physiotherapy.Chinese massage is used in the human body by means of meridians and acupoints,methods of delivery commonly used treatments include eight major techniques:press,rub,push,take,knead,pinch,flutter and fight.They can be used alone or in combination with several and multiple techniques.Whether we use any method,it should be a mixture of gentle and hard technique while not compromising the existing injury.One of the major characteristics of the traditional Chinese massage is that it utilises and make use of acupuncture points of the body and following the nerves as part of treatment.The beginning of the massage must be gentle,and then gradually turn strong as the treatment progresses.Unlike Traditional Chinese massage which uses acupuncture points,Traditional Malay massage adjusts the muscles and aids blood flow at the site which improve and relieve the localised pain.Both techniques are straightforward and can be picked up easily by practitioners or people who wish to practice.Also,extra materials are usually not required and there is little to no side effect from these massage techniques as well.While both techniques are used to treat existing illness and conditions,there exist a distinct difference between the educational level and background of the practitioners.In Malaysia,the knowledge of current traditional Malay massage are inherited by the practitioners from the oral teachings of their predecessors.Presently,in Malaysia,they are a number of systematic massage institutions that provide courses for people who express interests in learning Traditional Malay Massage,such as Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Polytechnic(Sultan Salahuddin Polytechnic),Tim Body care Training Centre,Institute of Physical Science,Culture and Arts(IPSCA)and other individual small learning centres such as Pak Long,opah Umi and so on.In contrast,Traditional Chinese Massage,otherwise more well-known as Tuina,has many channels and options available for individuals who are keen on learning in Malaysia.Institutions such as Southern College,Raman University,Malaysian Private International University(INTI),Malaysian International Medical University and so on.In Malaysia,Tuina is currently having a positive and systematic development.Tuina are available and taught mostly in Universities where people take it as part of a course,on the other hand,the passing of knowledge of Traditional Malay Massage is more like apprenticeship and are taught in Institutions that are specialised in the field.Today,TCM Tuina is recognised and accepted by most Malaysians and are being opted for as part of their treatment options when they encounter illness of all sorts.There are many similarities between the two types of massages.And on the most part,both massages’ concepts are similar as well,for example,the manipulation of treatment to achieve optimal health care,relatively easy to learn,does not cause additional harm to the patient’s body,being a non-toxic form of therapy,has little to no side effects,great ability to adapt to different circumstances,requires no specific venue or tools,at the same time,economical and effective.I am for the opinion of utilising Traditional Malay massage in conjunction with other methods for optimising the treatment procedure for the patient;while in comparison,Traditional Chinese Massage embraces the principle of blood circulation,and Traditional Malay massage does not engage the acupoints and meridians system as compared to Traditional Chinese massage,which is in theory,more complex.In conclusion,in terms of theory and practical adaptations of the skill,Traditional Malay massage relies more on experience and expertise is heavily reliant on the individual’s experience and apprenticeship.The teaching of Traditional Malay massage is not systematic,it does not allow for teaching to be on a universal level where each practitioner are receiving the same knowledge.In other words,the system has yet been formed and there is currently still room for improvement on that part.Unlike Traditional Chinese Massage,theories and techniques are all recorded and delivered to the students in a systematic manner.In the future,it would greatly benefit Traditional Malay massage if they are able to emulate and adapt the system of passing on knowledge similar to that of Traditional Chinese massage,Traditional Malay massage would be able to get more apprentices in the field and be more widely practiced by many individuals as they will be able to be more efficient in teaching and also more organised.