Types of Massage
Acupressure (also called Shiatsu)
Traditional Chinese technique of applying finger pressure to special points that lie along acupuncture meridians.
Ayurveda Massage
Gentle surface massage aimed at calming the nerves and stimulating blood flow.
Cranio-Sacral®
A gentle touch method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of the central nervous systems.
Deep Tissue
A technique that releases chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on contracted areas, either following or going across the grains of muscles, tendons and fascia.
Effleurage
A smooth, gliding stroke, generally used in a Swedish massage, using both hands to relax soft tissue.
Friction
The deepest of Swedish massage strokes, it encompasses deep, circular movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. This causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area and can breakdown scar tissue.
Hot Stone
A massage technique, used in conjunction with other modalities, in which warmed stones are placed on points, such as acupuncture points, and sometimes used as massage tools.
Hydrotherapy
Referring to the therapeutic use of water in any of its various forms: sea water, mineral water, baths, showers, underwater massage, ice, etc.
Massage
A manual soft tissue manipulation, and includes holding, causing movement, and/or applying pressure to the body.
Massage Modality or Technique
A kind of massage, such as Swedish, deep tissue or myofascial release.
Massage therapy
A profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.
Myofascial Release
Uses long, stretching strokes to release muscular tension.
On-site Massage (often called chair massage)
A type of massage administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially-designed chair. It allows the massage therapist to massage the muscles of the back, neck, shoulders, arms and hands.
