Types of Massage

» Medical/Clinical Massage
» Deep Tissue Massage
» Trigger Point Therapy
» Myofascial Release
» Muscle Energy Techniques
» Sports Massage
» Orthopedic Massage
» Swedish Massage

Medical/Clinical Massage

Medical/Clinical Massage is based in Western anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and pathology to improve a condition that was diagnosed by a doctor. The massage therapist utilizes a variety of massage techniques in medical massage, customizing the treatment to the patient to promote beneficial outcomes. It may also be accompanied with advice about what the client can do at home to help address the condition.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. It's implemented to make a change in the deeper tissues rather than the superficial layers of skin/tissue. Deep tissue is often misconceived as applying as much pressure as possible and therefore being painful. However, it's important that the amount of pressure used coincides with your perception of pain. If you experience "bad pain", let the therapist know so they can lessen the pressure. With deep tissue work, the only pain you should experience is "good pain". When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate with your therapist.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Point Therapy is used to alleviate painful "knots" (aka trigger points) by applying sustained pressure directly to the area. When the therapist applies the pressure, take slow deep breaths to help facilitate the relaxation response and eventually you'll feel the knot dissipate or "melt". As with Deep Tissue work, the amount of pressure exerted should cause a good, relieving pain, not a bad pain. Otherwise, the knot and surrounding tissues will fight to guard itself by tightening more. The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a stretching technique used to treat a variety of soft tissue problems. Fascia is thin tissue that covers all of the organs, every muscle, and every muscle fiber. After finding an area of tightness, the therapist will apply a gentle sustained stretch into the connective tissue until it relaxes, then the therapist will increase the stretch until the area is fully relaxed. Actually, Myofascial Release is not a massage; it's a highly specialized stretching technique used to diminish muscle tension throughout the body.

Muscle Energy Techniques

Muscle Energy Techniques (METs) are applied in order to lengthen shortened or spastic muscles, to improve weakened ligament and muscle strength, and to improve range of motion. The client is asked to contract a muscle for approximately 5 seconds against a force applied by the therapist. The muscle contraction is performed 2 or 3 times in a row in the hopes to stretch the muscle further each time. (www.massagetherapy101.com) MET's can be used to treat almost all the joints in the body, in a safe and effective manner.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is designed for people who are involved in physical activity. Most commonly, sports massage focuses on preventing and treating injury, enhancing athletic performance, reducing and eliminating pain, and increasing range of motion of the affected area. Sports massages can be broken into 4 distinct types - the pre-event sports massage, the post-event sports massage, the restorative sports massage and the rehabilitative sports massage. As the names indicate, each type of sports massage has a different focus for the athlete as they are delivered at different times during their training and performance schedule.[1]

Orthopedic Massage

Orthopedic Massage focuses on the musculoskeletal system; treating painful conditions which affect the soft tissues of the body. First, the massage therapist will have you fill out a detailed intake form and talk with you about the problem. After assessing the injury, the therapist establishes a treatment plan which will be specifically engineered to improve the condition. The sessions will be rather straight forward and direct. Orthopedic massage doesn't usually involve the thrills and pampering found in other types of massage therapy because the goal is to improve the condition.The massage therapist may recommend multiple sessions to treat the problem to ensure that it is eliminated and to build up strength and resistance in the affected area.

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is administered with light-medium pressure using five basic strokes or movements: effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. The massage therapist incorporates these techniques into a flowing massage session that'll leave you physically and emotionally relaxed, supporting the normal function of the human body and its systems, as well as enhancing its innate healing ability.