| Cryotherapy | The use of cold as a therapeutic agent in bodywork. Cold is useful for reducing inflammation and edema, and bodyworkers sometimes use ice packs, cold towels or cooling spray on parts of the body which are sore from intense workout or have been recently injured. Massage therapists may occasionally use cryotherapy, but should be extremely careful when working with recently injured or inflamed areas. |
| Trigger Point | A tight, tender spot in muscles that responds well to targeted massage |
| Connective tissues | The web of tissue (primarily collagen fibers) that surround your every muscle, organ, and bone, holding your body together |
| Deep tissue | A type of massage that targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue |
| Energy work | Type of massage that focuses on vital, invisible energies in your body |
| Full body massage | Relaxation massage treating the whole body as compared to remedial massage treating a localized area |
| Cranio-Sacral | a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction |
| Effleurage | a stroke generally used in a Swedish massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is applied using both hands |
| Friction | the deepest of Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular 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. |
| Myofascial Release | 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. |
| Acupuncture | a traditional Chinese medical practice whereby the skin is punctured with needles at specific points for therapeutic purposes which is done only by highly trained practitioners. |
| Aromatherapy | An ancient healing art with 5000-year-old roots in ancient Egypt is the art and science of using pure essential oils for various therapeutic purposes, primarily those related to smell. Practitioners claim that essential oils can heal emotional and physical imbalances when applied so that one can inhale their aroma and/or absorb their essence. |
| Esalen | It melds long, lengthening strokes with gentle rocking and stretching, passive joint movement, sculpting of deep musculature, delicate cranial balancing, subtle neural re-education and the precision of Chinese point work. |
| Guided Imagery | Guided visualization uses mental images to promote physical healing or changes in attitudes or behavior, or simply to facilitate relaxation. It allows one to by pass the rational brain and access subconscious aspect of self where the root of healing lies. The imagery can be practitioner led, interactive or used as a self-help tool. |
| Lomilomi | Temple style Lomilomi, the Hawaiian form of bodywork incorporates the spirituality of the Islands with profoundly effective massage techniques that wash over the body like waves of the ocean. The therapist performs the massage using his/her forearms and elbows for most of the strokes, which are sequenced to connect the whole body from tip of toes to tip of fingers. Stimulating and relaxing at the same time, this is fairly deep work that results in a vigorous flush of the lymphatic system. This treatment is great for athletes and full figured people. |
| Lymphatic Drainage | Manual lymph drainage massages use light, rhythmical, spiral-like movements to accelerate the movement of lymphatic fluids in the body. |
| Neuromuscular Therapy | NMT identifies soft tissue abnormalities and at the same time manipulates the soft tissue to normalize its function. In so doing the perpetuating cycle is broken, much of the referred pathologic activity is reversed, and over function is improved. |
| Polarity | A method developed by Randolph Stone using massage manipulations derived from both Eastern and Western practices. Exercises and thinking practices are included to balance the body both physically and energetically. |
| Raindrop Therapy | Essential oils are applied to the spine and worked in lightly. The properties of the oils kill the viruses that are imbedded along the spine, reduce spinal inflammation and help to straighten spinal curvatures. |
| Sports Massage | This refers to a method of massage especially designed to prepare an athlete for an upcoming event and to aid in the body's regenerative and restorative capacities following a rigorous workout or competition. This is achieved through specialized manipulations that stimulate circulation of the blood and lymph. |
| Swedish Massage | Based on Western concepts of anatomy and physiology and employs the traditional manipulative techniques of effleurage, petrissage, vibration, friction, and tapotement. The Swedish system also employs movements that can be slow and gentle, vigorous or bracing, according to the results the practitioner wishes to achieve. |
| Therapeutic Touch | This energy work focuses on the energy field that surrounds the body. Practitioners report that by balancing this energy field that it can help heal wounds, relieve tension headaches, and reduce stress. According to Nurse Healers Professional Associates it also reduces pain and anxiety, promotes relaxation, and facilitates the body's natural restorative processes. |
| Visceral Manipulation | used to locate and solve problems. It encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your organs, to dissipate the negative effects of stress and enhance general health and resistance to disease. |
| Trager | Developed by Dr. Milton Trager, this method uses movement exercises called mentastics along with massage-like gentle shaking of different parts of the body to eliminate and prevent pent-up tensions. Trager bodywork is meant to promote relaxation and increase mobility and mental clarity. It is used by athletes for performance enhancement as well as by people with musculoskeletal and back problems. Trager is unusual among bodywork modalities in that it does not use forceful manipulation. |
| Warm Stone Therapy | A variety of smooth-surfaced stones of various shapes and sizes are heated with hot water to approximately 130 degrees. Selected stones are sprinkled with various aromatherapy oils before being slowly rolled along the skin. The stones seem to dissolve tension throughout the area. Pointed, warm stones are ideal for pressing and an excellent way to incorporate acupressure and reflexology. A pointed stone also works wonders around the jaw for TMJ discomfort. For lower back stress, a large warm stone placed on the sacrum of a prone client assists the spine in relaxing. |
| Hellerwork™ | Named after its founder, Joseph Heller, Hellerwork is a series of eleven 90-minute sessions of deep tissue bodywork and movement education designed to realign the body and release chronic tension and stress. Verbal dialogue is used to assist the client in becoming aware of emotional stress that may be related to physical tension. It is regarded as preventive rather than curative, and reflects a holistic approach to health. Hellerwork is designed to produce permanent change. |
| Compression | Downward pressure against tissue—a very useful deep tissue massage technique. Often accomplished with the knuckles or heel of the hand. |
| Stripping | A deep tissue massage technique where the therapist applies intense, precise pressure at one end of a muscle (usually the distal end) and then, with constant, slow pressure, follows the muscle to its other end. For reasons that should be immediately obvious, this really works best on long, thin muscles and not quite as well on big, sheet-like muscles. |
| Passive Stretching | A muscle stretch where the client does not assist or resist the therapist. Passive stretching improves blood flow, lengthens and warms up muscles. It also helps joints and muscle groups to loosen up either before or after working out. There are numerous stretches that a therapist can learn for each muscle or group of muscles. |
| Vibration | It can be known as 'trembling' too. A massage technique which is similar to friction, but with a rhythmic feel. Vibration can be very deep or very light. It is usually done with fingertips or palms (more rarely with forearms). |
| Wringing | An effleurage technique used on limbs. Wringing, exactly as the name implies, is a light counter-twisting action designed to stimulate blood flow and relax muscles. It is best when used sparingly. |
| Biomechanics | This term, when applied to massage therapy, almost always refers to the therapist's careful use of posture and leverage to prevent tiring out and avoid injuring his/her own body from the repeated strain of performing massage. |
| Holding | A passive touch with a gentle hand. It makes contact between the client and therapist and prepares the client for massage. |
| Rocking | Adding a light movement to holding makes it rocking, a very comforting and pleasant way to start or end a massage, especially a strenuous one. |
| Jostling | It's similar to rocking, only more abrupt, usually used in stimulating or sports massage. |
