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Types of Massage Therapy
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
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.
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.
Rolfing
Rolfing is soft tissue manipulation similar to deep tissue massage. Rolfing is used to realign the body; it is also called structural integration.
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.
Tantramassage or Tantric massage
Tantric massage covers the entire body and is meant to soothe the mind as well. Using warm oil, the practitioner massages the abdomen, thighs, feet, toes, chest, nipples, and fingers. In certain types of tantric massage, the genitals are also massaged.
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.
Therapeutic Exercise
Therapeutic exercise is a general term for movements or activities that correct or prevent injuries, as well as improve fitness, function, and well-being.
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.
