A Polynesian massage therapy treatment that originated in Hawaii, lomilomi is a holistic massage therapy system traditionally practiced by the islands’ healers or kahunas. Lomilomi utilizes medicinal plants, massage, breath exercises, and meditation. Lomilomi is also known as Hawaiian temple bodywork, temple style or traditional style lomilomi massage.
The varying massage therapy styles of lomilomi massage practiced today make up the clinical massage therapy form of the Hawaiian islands. Lomilomi has many health benefits and can cure or alleviate a wide range of ailments, injuries and conditions as well as the discomforts associated with general health imbalance. Benefits of lomilomi include:
- Improves circulation and immune response.
- Increases range of motion and flexibility.
- Lowers blood pressure and slows heart rate.
- Improves posture and speeds healing.
Lomilomi massage therapy practitioners utilize varying techniques and materials including long fluid strokes of forearms and hands, volcanic rocks, native plant leaves, and chant to activate the flow of mana, or life force energy, in the recipient’s body. Emphasizing a mind-body connection, lomilomi massage treatments affect the recipient on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.
Prayer typically follows treatment and an emphasis is placed on removal of any negative mental energy the recipient may have, as this is believed to effect physical health. Other health benefits of lomilomi massage include toxin cleansing and a strengthened sense of vitality.
Source: by Renee Skuban, MT Clinical/FAculty Supervisor & filed under Holistic Medicine. Massage Therapy School
Benefits Of LomiLomi Massage (amcollege.edu)
