| During massage therapy school, students will have | | | | - Polarity Therapy: Bodywork that balances life |
| to use many terms. The following are the top 25 | | | | energy and encourages relaxation using touch and |
| general massage therapy career terms a student | | | | gentle rocking. |
| should know: | | | | - Pregnancy Massage: Bodywork that you may |
| - Amma: Chinese massage technique of locating | | | | learn while getting a massage therapy degree and |
| the most effective points for movement and | | | | that is meant to relieve pain and meet the special |
| manipulation. | | | | needs of pregnant women. |
| - Asian Bodywork Therapies: Bodywork learned | | | | - Reflexology: Zone therapy bodywork in which |
| during a massage therapy program that is | | | | pressing the feet or hands relieves corresponding |
| focused on traditional Asian medicine. | | | | body parts. |
| - Ayurvedic Massage: Soft tissue manipulation | | | | - Shiatsu: Japanese bodywork that balances the |
| influenced by Indian theories of health and disease. | | | | flow of energy. |
| - Clinical Massage Therapy: Using massage to | | | | - Sports Massage: Massage therapy techniques |
| treat medical | | | | for health, wellbeing and increased performance of |
| - Cryotherapy: Applying cold for therapeutic | | | | athletes. |
| purposes. | | | | - Stone Massage: Using hot or cold stones to |
| - Deep Tissue Massage: Using one finger, thumb, | | | | massage the body. |
| several fingers, or the entire hand to deeply | | | | - Swedish Massage: A common variety of |
| massage tissues. | | | | massage therapy in health clubs, resorts and spas. |
| - Direct Pressure: Applying force with thumb, | | | | - Thai Massage: Passive or assisted yoga that |
| finger, elbow or knuckle to compress tissues. | | | | focuses on stretching and loosening. |
| - Esalen Massage: Simplified form of Swedish | | | | - Thermal Therapy: Applying heat or cold |
| massage that connects one's inner self with | | | | modalities for therapy. |
| others; coursework often offered to those | | | | - Tui Na: Chinese massage focused on kneading, |
| seeking a massage therapy major. | | | | pushing and stretching. |
| - Hydrotherapy: Using water for therapeutic | | | | - Western Massage: American and European |
| purposes. | | | | techniques including effleurage, friction, joint |
| - Lomilomi: Ancient Hawaiian massage therapy | | | | movements, petrissage, tapotement, |
| meant for healing. | | | | touch-without-movement and vibration. |
| - Myofascial Massage: Techniques used to restore | | | | - Zen Shiatsu: Asian bodywork developed by |
| mobility in fascia and soften rigid connective tissue. | | | | Shizuto Masunaga of Japan. |
| - Neuromuscular Therapy: Massage used to | | | | - Zhi Ya: Chinese massage based on acupressure. |
| deactivate myofascial trigger points. | | | | |