Category: Types of Massage
Chair Massage In the Workplace and Out
Picture a massage. What comes to mind are images of someone lying on a table, partly covered with a sheet, being kneaded. But one of the newer and now equally common forms doesn’t use a table or mat at all. The recipient isn’t even prone. He or she is sitting. Chair massage has come of … Read More
Deep Tissue Massage
Swedish massage and similar techniques seek to stimulate the surface and relax muscles that are readily accessible. Deep tissue massage tries to go further, to get down to layers where trigger points (muscle knots, localized pain areas) and other problems may reside. There are a number of specific techniques utilized to accomplish that aim. Classic … Read More
Effleurage
Effleurage is one of the most common massage techniques employed. Using a succession of light or deep stroking or gliding motions, the masseuse or masseur floats across the contours of the body. The therapist uses a flat surface, such as the hand or forearm. He or she moves with low-friction over large expanses of skin, … Read More
Hawaiian Massage – Lomi
American missionaries invaded the Hawaiian islands in 1820 and, as ships came and went with supplies (and sometimes natives eager to leave), the native massage practice spread to the west. That art is called Lomilomi. ‘Lomi’ is the Hawaiian word for ‘rub’, and hence Lomilomi (‘masseur’ or ‘masseuse’) has come to mean the practice of … Read More
Hot Stone Massage
Most massage techniques make heavy use of the therapist’s hands and arms. Occasionally sticks will be used for certain specialized applications. But ‘recently’ a new tool has been added to the toolkit – hot stones. ‘Recently’ is in quotes since the technique has actually been practiced for thousands of years. But only in the past … Read More
Indian Massage – Marma-Point
Many massage techniques that later became popular in various parts of Asia actually originated in ancient India. One of the oldest is marma-point massage. Used for thousands of years, it has now made its way into Western spas where it’s a great favorite of clients. As with many Eastern techniques the focus is on the … Read More
Japanese Shiatsu Massage
Though the roots of Shiatsu massage go back centuries, the practice first became widely popular around the beginning of the 20th century. Then in 1940, the Shiatsu style of massage got a big boost with the founding of the Japan Shiatsu College. Shiatsu differs from traditional Western (typically Swedish) massage in its emphasis on focused … Read More
Sports Massage Techniques
Sports massage may appear to be the latest ‘hot’ thing, but in fact it’s been practiced for thousands of years. The ancient Spartans, enemies of the Athenians in Greece over 2,500 years ago, regularly applied massage techniques to optimize their warriors’ effectiveness. Many of the techniques used then would be familiar today, since they are … Read More
Swedish Massage
Swedish is the most common style practiced among massage therapists. The modern form was developed in Sweden around the beginning of the 19th century, though the origin is disputed. Many attribute the usual techniques to Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish gymnastics instructor who developed the style for athletes. Others give credit to a Dutch-born physician … Read More
Thai Massage
Originating in India over 2,500 years ago, this healing art spread to Siam (ancient Thailand) with the spread of Buddhism. Once performed by monks as part of elaborate healing rituals, it formed one part of traditional Thai medicine. The complete practice includes nutritional counseling, often recommending dietary changes. It also entails using herbs, both consumed … Read More