Massage Definitions
There are many different approaches and applications to massage.
In all there are over 400 recognized styles of massage.
Aromatherapy, the use of naturally occurring essential oils to enhance treatment. Often used as a treatment in themselves with different oils being applied to different parts of the body. Pure essential oils have great healing properties.
Cranio-Sacral – is a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction.
Deep Tissue – releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Lomi-Lomi (Hawaiian) Massage - It is a very deep style, but the emphasis is on soothing, rather than more pointed techniques such as acupressure. The massage is like a Rhythmical dance that gently rocks one into a blissful release of tension.
Myofascial Release – is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
Seated or Chair Massage – is administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially designed chair. These chairs most often slope forward allowing access to the large muscles of the back. Chair massage usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is intended to relax and improve circulation.
Reflexology – massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.
Reiki – is one of the more widely known forms of healing through direct application of Chi
Shiatsu and Acupressure – Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body).
Sports Massage – massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.
Swedish Massage – a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.
Trigger Point Therapy (also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) – applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.
Types of strokes used in massage
Effleurage – is a stroke generally used in a Swedish massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is usually applied using both hands.
Friction – is the deepest of Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular or horizontal movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.
Vibration - is a stroke which involves movement of a muscle group by use of quick movements of the therapists hands in either a vertical or horizontal movement or the actual picking up of an arm or leg and applying movement.
Petrissage (also called kneading) – involves squeezing, rolling and kneading the muscles and usually follows effleurage during Swedish massage.
Tapotement – is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.
Other Complementary Therapies
Salt glow or Salt Scrub - Sea salts infused with essential oils are massaged into the skin whisking away rough spots and giving the skin improved hydration
Mud wraps - Wraps are used to hydrate, detoxify and firm the skin. Warm mud is gently brushed onto our skin, then you will be wrapped in a soft warm blanket. This treatment will leave your skin supple and glowing!
In all there are over 400 recognized styles of massage.
Aromatherapy, the use of naturally occurring essential oils to enhance treatment. Often used as a treatment in themselves with different oils being applied to different parts of the body. Pure essential oils have great healing properties.
Cranio-Sacral – is a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction.
Deep Tissue – releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Lomi-Lomi (Hawaiian) Massage - It is a very deep style, but the emphasis is on soothing, rather than more pointed techniques such as acupressure. The massage is like a Rhythmical dance that gently rocks one into a blissful release of tension.
Myofascial Release – is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
Seated or Chair Massage – is administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially designed chair. These chairs most often slope forward allowing access to the large muscles of the back. Chair massage usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is intended to relax and improve circulation.
Reflexology – massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.
Reiki – is one of the more widely known forms of healing through direct application of Chi
Shiatsu and Acupressure – Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body).
Sports Massage – massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.
Swedish Massage – a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.
Trigger Point Therapy (also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) – applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.
Types of strokes used in massage
Effleurage – is a stroke generally used in a Swedish massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is usually applied using both hands.
Friction – is the deepest of Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular or horizontal movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.
Vibration - is a stroke which involves movement of a muscle group by use of quick movements of the therapists hands in either a vertical or horizontal movement or the actual picking up of an arm or leg and applying movement.
Petrissage (also called kneading) – involves squeezing, rolling and kneading the muscles and usually follows effleurage during Swedish massage.
Tapotement – is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.
Other Complementary Therapies
Salt glow or Salt Scrub - Sea salts infused with essential oils are massaged into the skin whisking away rough spots and giving the skin improved hydration
Mud wraps - Wraps are used to hydrate, detoxify and firm the skin. Warm mud is gently brushed onto our skin, then you will be wrapped in a soft warm blanket. This treatment will leave your skin supple and glowing!
