| Massage may be defined as the application of a | | | | Hot Stone Massage |
| variety of techniques to the muscular structure | | | | In this form of massage, heated, smooth, flat |
| and soft tissues of the body. Some of the | | | | stones are placed on specific parts of the body, |
| intended benefits of massage are to reduce | | | | and the massage therapist may also hold the |
| stress, improve circulation, and have a positive | | | | stones and use them during the manipulations. |
| impact upon chronic conditions and overall health. | | | | Some massage therapists put the stones on |
| Massage therapists use a variety of massage | | | | what they perceive to be "energy centers" of the |
| techniques to customize a massage for each | | | | body in an effort to balance the body and the |
| client. | | | | mind. By "pre-treating" the muscles with hot |
| Swedish Massage | | | | stones, it is easier for the massage therapist to |
| Swedish massage is perhaps the most well-known | | | | perform deep tissue manipulations. The hot |
| and recognizable form of massage. It was | | | | stones are usually made of basalt, which is rich in |
| developed in Stockholm, Sweden more than 200 | | | | iron and retains heat well. Many clients request hot |
| years ago. The goal behind Swedish massage is to | | | | stone massages because they find them to be |
| relax the entire body by performing long gliding | | | | especially comforting and relaxing. They are |
| strokes upon muscles in the direction that blood | | | | especially well-suited for people who often feel |
| returns to the heart. Some other techniques of | | | | chilled, or for those who are experiencing muscle |
| Swedish massage include circular strokes applied | | | | tension but prefer a lighter-pressure massage. |
| by the palms of the hands, tapping, bending, and | | | | Aromatherapy Massage |
| stretching. Swedish massage is very effective for | | | | Aromatherapy massages feature the use of |
| increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, | | | | scented plant oils, called "essential oils," in the |
| releasing muscle toxins, reducing tension, and | | | | massage. Oils are selected by the massage |
| improving the client's circulation and flexibility. | | | | therapist on the basis of what the client wants |
| Deep Tissue Massage | | | | from the service; there are oils that are relaxing, |
| Similar to Swedish massage, deep muscle | | | | energizing, stress reducing, and balancing. The |
| massage focuses on "knots" and is used | | | | theory behind aromatherapy massage is that |
| particularly to release chronic muscle toxins. When | | | | when the essential oil molecules are inhaled, |
| a massage therapist performs a deep tissue | | | | messages are transmitted to a part of the brain |
| massage, she focuses on the deepest layers of | | | | called the limbic system. The limbic system |
| muscle tissue and tendons. As opposed to | | | | controls emotions within the body, and also |
| Swedish massage, which employs manipulations | | | | affects heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, |
| that go with the grain of the muscles, deep tissue | | | | breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune |
| massage goes against the grain to help reduce | | | | system. Each essential oil is thought to have |
| inflammation and eliminate scar tissue. Sometimes | | | | different healing properties: the calming oils are |
| the client will experience soreness for several | | | | chamomile, lavender, and geranium; ylang ylang, |
| days after a deep tissue massage because of the | | | | clary sage, rose, and neroli are uplifting; rosemary |
| degree of pressure and intensity of the | | | | is energizing and cleansing; and eucalyptus, pine, |
| movements. This soreness will usually resolve | | | | tea tree are useful for decongesting. |
| after a few days, at which time the client will | | | | Shiatsu |
| experience relaxation and pain relief. | | | | Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage that uses |
| Sports Massage | | | | finger and palm pressure. It is based on the |
| Massage therapists work with a wide variety of | | | | holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine, in |
| athletes, from world-class professionals to | | | | which illness is thought to result from imbalances |
| "weekend warriors." The manipulations used are | | | | in the natural flow of energy, or "qi" throughout |
| specific to the sport of choice of the client, and | | | | the body. The pressure rendered by a massage |
| often focus upon an injured area, such as a knee | | | | therapist when performing Shiatsu is more |
| or shoulder. Sports massage is also used for | | | | localized than that of a Swedish massage because |
| pre-event warm-up, and to reduce recovery time | | | | the pads of the finger are used to apply most of |
| after athletic competition. Athletes have found | | | | the pressure, as opposed to the palm. Unlike |
| sports massage to be a vital part of their training | | | | other forms of massage therapy, no massage oil |
| regimen, as it increases endurance, helps prevent | | | | is applied during Shiatsu, and the client remains |
| injury, relieves fatigue, and allows them to | | | | fully clothed during the massage. |
| compete at the highest possible level. | | | | |