Massage Techniques
Massage - Massage is the intentional and systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to enhance health and healing. Joint movements and stretching are commonly performed as part of massage. The primary characteristics of massage are touch and movement. *2
Massage Therapy - Massage therapy is a general term for health and healing practices involving touch and movement, which are based in massage and related manual techniques. *2
Swedish Massage - Swedish massage is also known as the Western or classic style of massage. It is credited to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics instructor, Per Henrik Ling. It is a scientific system of manipulations on the muscles and connective tissues of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation or health maintenance. Swedish massage therapy is comprised of five basic strokes and their variations: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement (or percussion) and vibration. *3
Deep Tissue Massage - Deep tissue massage is also called deep muscle therapy or deep tissue therapy. It is an umbrella term for bodywork systems that work deeply into the muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains. *3
Therapeutic Massage - A massage using a variety of trigger point, myofascial, medical massage and stretching techniques designed to treat injuries, ease muscle tension and reduce muscle spasm and pain.
Pregnancy Massage - Pregnancy massage is the massage of pregnant women (prenatal) and women after giving birth (postpartum). It addresses the special needs of pregnant women such as discomforts in the low back, feet and legs. *1
Chair Massage - Chair massage refers to massage given with the recipient seated in an ordinary or special massage chair. Recipients remain clothed in chair massage. It has been called on-site massage when the chair is taken to a public place such as an office or commercial establishment. *2
Reiki - Reiki is a Japanese word pronounced "ray-kee" and means "universal life energy." It is a light touch or no-touch technique for channeling this omnipresent energy to promote healing. *1
Trigger Point Massage - Trigger point massage utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. These trigger points are defined by their referral of pain to distant locations in muscles, connective tissues and organs. Janet Travell, M.D., pioneered trigger point therapy in the United States.*1
Neuromuscular Therapy - Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is a generic designation for trigger point work. (See Trigger Point Massage) *1
Sports Massage – to help prevent athletic injury, keep the body flexible and assist in the recovery process. It is sometimes combined with other massage techniques to meet the needs of a particular sport.
Thai Poultice Massage - The Herbal Poultice is a deep heat medicinal muscle treatment that dates back to 14th Century Thailand when a hot pack was administered to war soldiers returning from battle and remains an integral part of Thai Medicine. The heat, combined with the organic herbs are absorbed by the body & help reduce aches & pains, stimulate circulation, increase lymphatic drainage, detoxify and condition the skin.
Bamboo Fusion Massage - Bamboo Fusion is a new, relaxing form of massage that combines the techniques of massage and the benefits of soothing heat with the invigorating energy of bamboo and rattan. The bamboo is heated with an electric pad and used to literally roll and knead away the aches and pains of everyday stress.
Massage therapy helps the body heal itself and increases health and well-being.
*References
1. Knaster, Mirka. Discovering the Body's Wisdom. Bantam 1996
2. Tappan, Frances. Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques. Appleton and Lange. 1998
3. Stillerman, Elaine. The Encyclopedia of Bodywork from Acupressure to Zone Therapy. Facts on File. 1996.
Massage Therapy - Massage therapy is a general term for health and healing practices involving touch and movement, which are based in massage and related manual techniques. *2
Swedish Massage - Swedish massage is also known as the Western or classic style of massage. It is credited to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics instructor, Per Henrik Ling. It is a scientific system of manipulations on the muscles and connective tissues of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation or health maintenance. Swedish massage therapy is comprised of five basic strokes and their variations: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement (or percussion) and vibration. *3
Deep Tissue Massage - Deep tissue massage is also called deep muscle therapy or deep tissue therapy. It is an umbrella term for bodywork systems that work deeply into the muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains. *3
Therapeutic Massage - A massage using a variety of trigger point, myofascial, medical massage and stretching techniques designed to treat injuries, ease muscle tension and reduce muscle spasm and pain.
Pregnancy Massage - Pregnancy massage is the massage of pregnant women (prenatal) and women after giving birth (postpartum). It addresses the special needs of pregnant women such as discomforts in the low back, feet and legs. *1
Chair Massage - Chair massage refers to massage given with the recipient seated in an ordinary or special massage chair. Recipients remain clothed in chair massage. It has been called on-site massage when the chair is taken to a public place such as an office or commercial establishment. *2
Reiki - Reiki is a Japanese word pronounced "ray-kee" and means "universal life energy." It is a light touch or no-touch technique for channeling this omnipresent energy to promote healing. *1
Trigger Point Massage - Trigger point massage utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia. These trigger points are defined by their referral of pain to distant locations in muscles, connective tissues and organs. Janet Travell, M.D., pioneered trigger point therapy in the United States.*1
Neuromuscular Therapy - Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is a generic designation for trigger point work. (See Trigger Point Massage) *1
Sports Massage – to help prevent athletic injury, keep the body flexible and assist in the recovery process. It is sometimes combined with other massage techniques to meet the needs of a particular sport.
Thai Poultice Massage - The Herbal Poultice is a deep heat medicinal muscle treatment that dates back to 14th Century Thailand when a hot pack was administered to war soldiers returning from battle and remains an integral part of Thai Medicine. The heat, combined with the organic herbs are absorbed by the body & help reduce aches & pains, stimulate circulation, increase lymphatic drainage, detoxify and condition the skin.
Bamboo Fusion Massage - Bamboo Fusion is a new, relaxing form of massage that combines the techniques of massage and the benefits of soothing heat with the invigorating energy of bamboo and rattan. The bamboo is heated with an electric pad and used to literally roll and knead away the aches and pains of everyday stress.
Massage therapy helps the body heal itself and increases health and well-being.
*References
1. Knaster, Mirka. Discovering the Body's Wisdom. Bantam 1996
2. Tappan, Frances. Tappan's Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques. Appleton and Lange. 1998
3. Stillerman, Elaine. The Encyclopedia of Bodywork from Acupressure to Zone Therapy. Facts on File. 1996.