| About Massage Therapy
What Is Massage Therapy? Is Massage Therapy Right for Me? How Do I Choose? | Glossary
Treatment Applications Types of Massage Therapy Credentials |
Applications of Massage Therapy
Active Release Techniques (ART)
Active Release Techniques involve hands-on massage that concentrates on soft tissue to treat pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves caused by overuse. Different patients need different approaches, and there are more than 500 techniques in use.
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique helps patients improve the way they perform and think about daily activities. The practitioner examines the patient doing everyday tasks, and they discuss the patient's understanding of movement. The technique teaches patients to use minimal effort in everyday activities to improve coordination, balance, timing, and maximize energy.
Aquatic Massage Therapy
This joint and muscle therapy and hands-on massage is conducted underwater. In water, joint and muscle pain lessens and range of motion increases.
Bowen Technique
The Bowen Technique increases blood circulation to help the body heal itself naturally. The practitioner stimulates blood flow by using the thumb and fingers in a series of gentle rolling motions and light touches. It is used to treat muscular, skeletal, and nerve imbalances.
Breema
Breema is a bodywork technique that promotes relaxation. The practitioner leads the patient in stretches and rhythmic movements that result in physical, mental, and emotional balance.
Chair Massage
With an ergonomically designed massage chair, a practitioner can perform "seated acupressure." The patient does not need to disrobe and oils are not used. The chair allows the practitioner easy access to the patient.
Chinese Tui Na Massage
Chinese tui na massage has been used in China for 2,000 years. Tui na includes acupressure and massaging soft tissue to restore the flow of qi (energy) through the body. The technique focuses on the meridian system - the body's 12 pathways through which energy flows.
Chinese Zhi Ya Massage
Chinese zhi ya massage focuses on pinching and pressing acupressure points. It increases circulation and brings qi (energy) back into balance.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy
Cranio-sacral therapy involves the practitioner using his or her hands to examine the patient's cranium--paying attention to the pulsing fluid that surrounds the brain, spinal cord, and sacrum. This pulsing is called the cranial rhythm. An abnormal rhythm signals tension and cranial pressure. In cranial-sacral therapy, the physician gently manipulates tissue to restore normal rhythm while the patient concentrates on breathing and releasing tension.
Deep Connective Tissue Massage
Deep connective tissue massage uses slow strokes and intense pressure on connective tissue (the tissue that binds and strengthens the organs and other tissues, such as muscle). This relieves the patient of chronic tension and knots. Deep connective tissue massage can be slightly uncomfortable. More than one session may be necessary to cure chronic tension.
Deep Muscle Therapy
Deep muscle therapy massage uses slow strokes and intense pressure on connective tissue (the tissue that binds and strengthens the organs and other tissues, such as muscle). This relieves the patient of chronic tension and knots. Deep muscle therapy can be slightly uncomfortable, and more than one session may be necessary to cure chronic tension.
Esalen Tissue Work
Esalen tissue work, which draws on traditional Swedish massage, is designed to ease neck and back pain as well as to relieve tension in muscles and joints. The technique emphasizes touch and requires a strong connection between practitioner and patient. A session includes long sweeping strokes and may include periods when the practitioner rocks the patient's body or stretches muscle groups.
Feldenkrais
Feldenkrais technique alleviates pain by minimizing psychological and physiological stress. The method teaches the patient to move with less effort, and it also improves posture, coordination, flexibility, and suppleness. The method is used either in a group or one-on-one setting, in which the teacher verbally guides the patient through gentle full-body movements.
Foot or Sole Massage
Foot or sole massage, originally practiced by the Chinese, focuses on the body's qi, or energy. According to this method, each organ in the body has a corresponding spot on the sole of the foot. Massaging these specific points will insure overall well-being.
Integrative Manual Therapy
Integrative manual therapy technique presumes that no part of the body functions independently. Treatment includes anatomical, physiological, and psychological components. The therapist applies soft strokes or taps to the client's body to locate problems in muscles, joints, organs, bones, and major body systems.
La Stone Therapy
La Stone Therapy is the official name of hot stone massage. This technique is used for relaxation and rejuvenation of muscles; it can also reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The stones provide heat to expand blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily. Chilled stones are also used to contract blood vessels. The temperature of the stones ranges from 32 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Heated stones include basalt and jade; chilled stones include marble and jade.
Lomilomi - Traditional Hawaiian Massage
In Lomilomi or traditional Hawaiian massage, practitioners use knuckles, thumbs, elbows, and forearms to relax the nervous system, increase circulation, and relieve pain. Lomilomi is especially popular in Hawaii, Japan, and Europe. Patients may be asked to pray, meditate, change their diets, and engage in other self-help activities to complement massage treatments.
MA-URI Massage
The Ma-Uri practitioner uses massage to circulate blood and lymph through the body, in an attempt to rejuvenate and to relieve stress. This technique is also said to eliminate toxins from the body and to regulate metabolism. Ma-Uri was introduced in the 1990s and grew out of traditional Hawaiian Lomilomi massage.
Manual Lymph Drainage
Manual lymph drainage is a gentle massage used to guide lymph away from swollen areas, often after surgery or an injury. The proper flow of lymph is important to a healthy immune system.
Muscle Energy Technique
"Muscle energy technique" is an umbrella term for stretching and relaxation approaches that aid stiff joints. A whole body examination is conducted to locate the joints that need attention. The patient is asked to contract certain muscles to restore motion.
Myofascial Trigger Point Release
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique
Myoskeletal alignment technique relieves and prevents neck and back pain. It combines deep tissue massage, assisted stretching, and spinal alignment.
Neuromuscular Integration and Structural Alignment
In neuromuscular integration and structural alignment, the practitioner promotes muscular elasticity by stretching the tissues that surround muscles and organs. The result is correct posture that relieves the patient of pain and restricted movement.
Neuromuscular Therapy
In neuromuscular therapy, the practitioner works with soft tissue to treat back pain caused by muscle strain. The practitioner uses his fingers, knuckles, or elbows to apply pressure in varying degrees to areas suffering muscle spasm.
On-site Massage
On-site massage refers to massage therapy that can be done outside the practitioner's office. Often, an ergonomically designed massage chair is brought on-site. With this chair, a practitioner can perform seated acupressure. The patient does not need to disrobe and oils are not used.
Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage
Designed specifically for pregnant women, this massage reduces stress, decreases swelling in the arms and legs, and relieves pain in the back, muscles, and joints. The patient is appropriately propped with pillows during the session.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation is a stretching technique that increases strength, flexibility, and range of movement. The practitioner focuses on specific muscle groups and provides resistance as the patient contracts the correct muscles, often in 30 second intervals.
Scalp Massage
A scalp massage increases blood circulation and promotes healthy hair growth. It also promotes relaxation and can help relieve headaches.
Shiatsu/Acupressure
Shiatsu/Acupressure is a traditional Japanese massage therapy in which the practitioner uses fingers (especially thumbs) and palms to locate areas of stiffness and stress. The practitioner rubs, squeezes, and applies pressure to areas needing attention.
Sports Massage
Sports massage reduces pain, promotes relaxation, and prevents injury in athletes. It incorporates deep tissue massage, as the pressure applied may be stronger than other forms of massage. Sports massage can be used before, during, or after a sporting event.
Stone Massage
Stone massage is a method that combines heated basalt stones with traditional Swedish massage. The technique reduces stress, anxiety, aching muscles, and depression. The stones are heated in hot water and are placed on the spine and/or between the toes. This expands blood vessels and allows blood to flow. In some versions of stone massage, cooled stones are placed on the body after heated stones.
Strain/Counter Strain
Strain, or counter strain, is used to restore normal motion to a patient who is feeling pain. The practitioner locates a patient's points of maximum pain and then moves him or her into a comfortable position for two minutes, allowing muscles to return to normal position.
Structural Muscular Balancing
Structural muscular balancing realigns muscles in an attempt to alleviate pain and/or restore health.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is considered the most common form of massage and uses firm pressure to promote relaxation, relieve muscle aches, and improve circulation. The practitioner uses gliding strokes, tapping, kneading, and friction. Massage oil is often used.
Thai Massage
Thai massage stretches and loosens the body, often through the assumption of yoga-like stances. The practitioner uses his hands and feet to apply pressure to the individual's body. He may walk on the patient's back, crack knuckles, and pull on fingers.
Trigger (or Myodysneuric) Point Therapy
Watsu
Watsu is bodywork performed in the water, which decreases tension in joints. The practitioner holds the patient in the water while rocking and stretching the patient's body. Watsu decreases pain and muscle tension, increases range of motion in joints and muscles, and encourages deep relaxation.
Zero Balancing
Zero Balancing is hands-on bodywork that relieves pain, tension, and mental stress. The patient lies on his or her back as the practitioner applies finger pressure and helps realign the body.
