Swedish Massage

Most common type of massage. Lighter, more relaxing, with long smooth strokes and kneading on the superficial layers of tissues. Oil and lotion is used to help reduce friction and allow for a glide across the skin. Swedish massage generally does not include any deep work and doesn’t focus on specific areas. It’s good for people who don’t have specific aches and pains and good for people who feel stressed and would like to relax.

If you have never had a massage before, this is a good place to start.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is generally more focused work, concentrating on a specific muscle, muscle group or joint. Time is taken to warm the superficial tissues to allow for work in the deeper layers of soft tissue. Deep tissue massage is good for people with chronic pain or tightness, injury, postural problems and many other problems.

It is normal to feel slightly sore and achy for one or two days after a deep tissue massage.

Myofascial Release

Fascia is the soft tissue in your body that surrounds muscles, organs, bones, nerves and other structures. Fascia is an uninterrupted web of soft tissue. It protects, provides support and also functions as your body’s first line of defense against infections.

Myofascial release is manual manipulation of the fascia, which helps relieve pain and increase range of motion. In order to accomplish this, the therapist will apply pressure to the skin (without lotion or oil), slightly pushing in one direction. This allows the fascia underneath the skin to release. Lotion or oil is not used because the therapist wants to get to the deeper layers and not just glide over the skin.

Sports Massage

Sports massage can be used to enhance athletic performance and recovery. There are two different types of sports massage that can be performed: Pre-event sports massage and post-event sports massage.

Pre-event massage therapy is usually used immediately before an athletic event, like a marathon. The techniques used for pre-event are typically faster to stimulate the muscles to prepare for the event. Also, stretches are incorporated to help increase range of motion and increase blood flow to avoid injury. It’s like warming up before a run.

Post-event sports massage is done after an athletic event to help the muscles cool down and relax. Just like pre-event massage, stretches are incorporated, along with compressions to relax the muscles. Therapists have techniques to help stop the cramps that typically occur after events. Unlike pre-event sports massage, there are no quick stimulating movements. Instead, there is more focus on bringing the body back into relaxation.

Often, sports massage can be integrated into a regular massage session. Even if you are not an athlete, this can help reduce pain and increase range of movement and flexibility.

Trigger Point Therapy

This is also called pressure point massage. A trigger point is an area of adhesion, which doesn’t allow toxins and waste to flush out of the area. This can result in pain in general and, also, referral pains to other parts of the body.

Manual pressure is applied to these points, which temporarily prevents blood flow in that area. When this pressure is released, blood rushes into the area, allowing the muscle to release and waste products to flush out and be eliminated by the body.

Hot Stone Massage

Smooth river stones are heated and placed on specific points and chakras to open, warm and increase blood flow. The hot stones are used during massage to help release and open up areas that are restricted. The temperature of the stones can be adjusted to fit your comfort zone. The massage can also be customized to focus on specific regions, and the pressure can be adjusted to fit your preference for either deeper or lighter massage.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is traditionally done on a mat or the the floor, but can also be adapted for a massage table. A typical Thai massage consists of rhythmic pressing, stretching, pressure along the Sen lines (energy lines in the body), and many yoga-like poses. The client is fully clothed, wearing loose, comfortable clothes. For more about Thai Massage, click here.

Pregnancy Massage

Also called pre-natal massage, pregnancy massage is specially designed for the needs of the mother and baby. Positions and techniques are modified for the expectant mother.

Contrary to popular beliefs, pregnancy massage can be preformed at any stage of the pregnancy. Deep pressure CAN be applied but only in certain areas and with special care. In addition, most areas can be massaged but with modified pressure and, again, with special care.

Make sure you talk to your doctor before making an appointment for a massage. In most normal pregnancies, the doctor will give you an okay for the massage. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, make sure to bring a note from your doctor to your appointment.

Pregnancy massage done regularly (about once a month during pregnancy) can help reduce labor times by 25 percent. It also can decrease the need for a Cesarean section and decrease the need for pain medication. Studies have shown a 60 percent decrease in requests for epidurals in women who have had regular massage during their pregnancies. Studies also have shown that women who get massage regularly during their pregnancy had fewer complications during labor and their infants had fewer postnatal complications. Read more about Pregnancy Massage.

Reflexology Massage

Reflexology, also called Zone Therapy, involves pressure applied to feet and/or hands (and sometimes face or ears) to affect different areas or organs in the body. Reflexologists view the hands and feet as a mirror image of the body.

By using special techniques in specific areas, the practitioner can help the flow of energy in the body, erasing years of misuse. The practitioner’s hands are sensitive to the feel of tiny deposits of toxins and areas of adhesions, which the practitioner releases to help the body as a whole.

Guide to Techniques