Massage Techniques

Massage has been practiced for thousands of years across a wide range of cultures for both health and pleasure. At its core, massage therapy is the practice of using soft tissue manipulation of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to produce a wide range of physical and psychological benefits, including stress-relief, improved circulation, and chronic pain reduction.

Massage Research

Modern studies have shown that individuals receiving regular massage therapy exhibit less depression and anxiety, enhanced immunity, better sleep quality, and fewer migraine headaches. Take a look at some of the research that has have been done on the benefits of massage therapy.

Common Massage Terms
This is where you will find definitions for some common massage terms.

Massage Definitions

Acupressure (top)

Like acupuncture, acupressure is based on the the principles of energy (chi) flow through the 14 energy meridians of the body. This ancient Chinese technique involves the use of finger pressure, rather than needles, on specific points along the body to treat ailments such as tension and stress, aches and pains, menstrual cramps, or arthritis. The system is also used for general preventative health care. Although sometimes used as a synonym for Shiatsu, acupressure is usually applied to a limited number of points to treat a specific condition, while Shiatsu, as practiced in the West, is generally given as as a whole body massage addressing as many points as possible in the time allowed. A muti-faceted massage therapist may incorporate aspects of acupressure into a standard full body massage. see also shiatsu

Ayurvedic Massage Therapy (top)

Ayurvedic Massage is part of an Indian detoxification program called Pancha Karma, in which the body is completely cleansed and lubricated, both inside and out, to remove toxins from the system. Done traditionally, a full body massage is performed using hot sesame oil, along with the powder and extract of calamus root. The oil is also poured into the navel, ears, and between the eyebrows. Pouring oil in the ear serves to remove wax and dust, lubricate the ear canal, and to calm the mind and nervous system.

Bowen Massage Therapy (top)

Bowen technique consists of gentle rolling movements over fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms. Through recognition of muscle tensions the system programs moves to counteract specific body conditions.

Chair Massage (top)

Chair massage is performed on a seated, fully-clothed client using a specially-designed chair. The massage therapist will incorporate a variety of techniques to promote healing, relaxation, and reduce tension. These massages are popular in public venues like the workplace and airports.

Chinese Massage Therapy (top)

Chinese massage is used to treat illnesses and disease, and may be used preventatively to protect general health and build-up body immunities. Chinese massage can sometimes be mistaken for acupressure because it stimulates acupressure points to correct physiological imbalances. Patients may be seated or lay on a treatment couch, whichever is the most comfortable position for both patient and massage therapist. Treatments are usually provided through loose clothing but rarely on bare skin, although herbal rubs may be used.

Couples Massage (top)

This treatment allows couples to spend time with eachother in a stress-free environment while enjoying the benefits of full body massage therapy. The style is generally Swedish and extras like aromatherapy, candles, and champagne may be offered.

Craniosacral Therapy (top)

This is used to aid problems in the structure and function of the Craniosacral mechanism, the membranes that contain the cerebrospinal fluid within the head and spinal column, as well as the cranial bones to which these membranes are attached. Therapists use a light touch to check for restrictions in the craniosacral system by monitoring the rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid as it flows through the system.

A craniosacral session lasts at least an hour, during which the client remains dressed while lying in a relaxed position. The positive effects of the therapy rely to a large extent on the body's natural self-corrective activities. The therapist will use a light, hands-on approach in assisting the hydraulic forces of the craniosacral system to improve the body's internal environment and strengthen its ability to heal.

Deep Tissue Massage Therapy (top)

Deep tissue massage is a general term for a range of therapies that seek to improve the function of the body's connective tissues and/or muscles. This work involves vigorous strokes and greater pressure than are found in the more relaxing forms of massage therapy like Swedish and lomilomi. Among the conditions deep tissue bodywork treats are whiplash, low back, and neck pain, and degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis.

Esalen Massage Therapy (top)

This style originated at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, and is based on a combination of Oriental and Swedish massage techniques. Esalen is light and gentle in nature, emphasizing nurturing and empathy. The strokes are soft, easy, and slow, prompting deep relaxation. This massage style is commonly used to reduce stress, relieve pain, improve sleep, aid digestion, and promote healing.

Feldenkrais Method (top)

The Feldenkrais method is an educational system that allows the body to move and function more efficiently and comfortably. Its goal is to re-educate the nervous system and improve motor ability. In addition, the system is effective at relieving pressure on joints and weak points, and allowing the body to heal repetitive strain injuries. Continued use of the method can relieve pain and lead to higher standards of achievement in sports, the martial arts, dancing and other physical disciplines.

Geriatric Massage Therapy (top)

Geriatric massage doesn't possess any unusual techniques, rather a certified massage therapist who specializes in this area may have special training in working with clients who exhibit the physiological changes commonly associated with aging, such as loss of skin elasticity and muscle mass, tendency to bruise easily, osteoporosis, and reduced range of motion. Any deep tissue techniques will be used with extreme caution.

Hot Stone Massage Therapy (top)

Hot Stone Therapy is a deeply relaxing style that combines the penetrating effect of hot stones with soothing manual massage. Basaltic river rocks are heated to between 125 and 145 degrees Fahrenheit and then either statically placed on or under the client, or used as massage tools. The therapy can relax deep muscular tissue and soothe aching joints while imparting gentle and relaxing sensations.

Infant Massage Therapy (top)

Taught to new parents by trained instructors, infant massage practices are designed to enhance the bonding between parents and their new child. As a preventive therapy, infant massage can help strengthen and regulate a baby's respiratory, circulatory, and gastrointestinal functions, often relieving gas and colic.

Lomilomi (top)

Practiced widely in the Hawaiian Islands, lomilomi is a type of healing massage therapy that generally begins with clients relaxing and opening themselves to a healing state of mind. Some therapists begin sessions by using heated lomi stones to increase blood flow to certain areas of the body.

The traditional lomilomi stroke is both deep and gentle, pressing out and away from the body, similar to Swedish massage. Unlike Swedish massage therapists however, lomilomi practitioners also make use of their elbows and forearms, and incorporate vigorous deep tissue techniques. The purpose of lomilomi is to cleanse and relax the body, both physically and spiritually, in order to achieve internal harmony. On a purely physical level, it increases circulation, relaxes tension spots, and relieves pain.

Lymph Drainage Therapy (top)

Lymphatic drainage is a therapeutic method using massage-like manipulations to stimulate circulation of lymph, the plasma-like fluid that maintains the body's fluid balance and removes bacteria. Combined with other techniques of complete decongestive physiotherapy, it is used to treat lymphedema, swelling in the limbs caused by lymph accumulation.

Myofascial Release (top)

Myofascial Release is used to evaluate and treat restrictions in the body's contractile connective tissues (muscles) and non-contractile supportive connective tissues (fascia) by applying gentle traction, pressures and positioning. Fascia is a complex supportive web throughout the body affecting all components of the musculoskeletal, nervous and visceral (organ) systems. It surrounds groups of muscle fibers, and entire muscle groups and organs. The fascia can retain tensions from physical and emotional traumas and is involved when a person suffers chronic pain or physical dysfunction. Chronically tense muscles restrict blood flow and fatigue the body. Fascia and muscle tissues can become shortened if they are improperly used, and over time fascia can stick together.

Myofascial release techniques are used to coax muscles in spasm to relax and break adhesions in the fascia. Bodies respond to these therapies by releasing tension that has been stored in the fascia, thus allowing more functional flexibility and mobility of the muscles, fascia and associated structures.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (top)

Neuromuscular Therapy is a comprehensive program of soft tissue manipulation that balances the body's central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. It emphasizes the role of the brain, spine, and nerves in muscular pain, using pressure therapy to break the stress-tension-pain cycle. The goal is to relax muscle and release compressed nerves so that circulation will increase and the body can return to normal neuromuscular integrity and balance.

Pregnacy Massage Therapy (top)

Pregnancy Massage helps expecting mothers to relieve stresses that result from the rapid and profound physical and mental changes that occur during pregnancy. It is designed to relieve aches in the back, neck, hips, legs and weight bearing joints. Postpartum massage helps restore the body to pre-pregnancy conditions and nurture the new mother.

Reflexology (top)

Reflexology is based on the belief that there are predefined points on the feet and hands that correspond to different parts of the body, such as internal organs and joints. Applying pressure to these points is thought to have beneficial effects on those corresponding parts of the body. Some proponents claim the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses of these organs with the appropriate reflexology treatment. Many certified reflexologists maintain that reflexology is not massage, but a massage therapist familiar with reflexology will probably incorporate it into treatment sessions.

Reiki (top)

Reiki is a form of therapy that uses simple hands-on, no-touch, and visualization techniques, with the goal of improving a person's life energy flow. Reiki means "universal life energy" in Japanese, and Reiki practitioners are trained to detect and alleviate problems of energy flow on the physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Reiki touch therapy is used to achieve similar effects to those of traditional massage therapy - relieving pain and stress, and improving the symptoms of various health conditions.

Rolfing (top)

This massage therapy technique uses deep manipulation of the body's connective tissue (fascia) to restore its natural alignment, which may have become rigid through injury, emotional trauma, and inefficient movement habits. The process usually involves eight to ten initial sessions, each focusing on a different part of the body. Rolfing improves posture, relieves chronic pain, and reduces stress. see also structural integration

Russian Massage Therapy(top)

Russian massage is a system of therapeutic and sports massage developed in the former Soviet Union. It uses a variety of techniques to manipulate the body's soft tissues and achieve benefits like stress reduction and relief from muscle aches.

Shiatsu (top)

Shiatsu, meaning "finger pressure" in Japanese, is the most widely-known form of acupressure. This bodywork technique uses thumb, finger and palm pressure, rather than needles, to apply pressure to traditional Chinese acupuncture points. Traditional Shiatsu massage therapy is normally done fully-clothed and involves pressing points on the body to stretch and open the energy meridians. Although the term is sometimes used as synonymous with acupressure, Shiatsu in the Western world is more like a full body massage therapy treatment, while acupressure uses finger pressure on specific points for a specific effect.

Sports Massage Therapy (top)

Sports massage utilizes specific strokes and stretches to help obtain maximum performance and physical conditioning with less chance of injury or pain. It aims to provide this conditioning by increasing power, endurance and flexibility both before and after an event or work out. Recovery times are reduced with post-event massage therapy and performance increases of 20% have been reported.

Structural Integration (top)

A systematic approach to relieving patterns of stress and impaired functioning, structural integration seeks to correct misalignments in the body created by gravity and physical and psycological trauma. During a number of sessions, the massage therapist uses hands, arms, and elbows to apply pressure to the connective tissue (fascia) while the client participates through directed breathing. see also Rolfing

Swedish Massage Therapy(top)

Swedish is the most popular form of massage therapy in the United States, manipulating superficial layers of the muscles to improve mental and physical health. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage. The benefits of Swedish massage therapy include increased blood circulation, mental and physical relaxation, decreased stress and muscle tension, and improved range of motion.

Thai Massage Therapy (top)

Thai massage, also known as Nuad Bo-Rarn, is a type of bodywork that is based on the treatment of the human body, mind, and spirit. This form of massage includes treating the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings the body to life through pressure and/or manipulative massage. Thai massage therapy is practiced on a firm mat, instead of a table, which allows the massage therapist to use their body weight for compression and stretching. It is believed that stretching, compressing, and applying torque to the musculoskeletal system creates energy, as well as releasing blockages and allowing relaxation. Except for the feet, the client remains fully clothed.

Trager (top)

Trager Psychophysical Integration uses gentle, non-intrusive movements to bring about the release of deep-seated physical and mental patterns. Various parts of a client's body are moved rhythmically so that they experience the possibility of moving lightly, effortlessly, and freely on their own. A Trager session should help reduce stress from chronic tension, teach more effective ways to recover from stressful situations, enhance conscious awareness and flexibility, improve self-image, expand energy, restore free-flowing movement and full self-expression by reducing constriction and rigidity.

Trigger Point Myotherapy (top)

Trigger Point Myotherapy is a pain-relief technique used to alleviate muscle spasms and cramping. The therapist locates and deactivates `trigger points', which are often tender areas where muscles have been damaged or have acquired a recurring spasm or kink that worsens painfully when aggravated. Trigger points typically transmit pain to areas surrounding or even very distant from the tender point. The major goals are to reduce spasms and induce new blood flow into the affected area.

Pressure is applied to trigger points for roughly 7 to 10 seconds per point, which can be momentarily painful, and it is common to hit the same trigger points several times during a session. Often ice or another cooling agent is used to reduce nervous system response, making the area easier and more comfortable to work. Muscles are then gently stretched to complete the relaxation process.

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