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Types of Massage

There are a variety of different styles, types and techniques of massage utilized by massage therapists. Here are descriptions of the ones offered (most sessions are integrative - that is, customized to the client's needs using all of the following as tools):

* Structural Integration
» Deep Tissue Massage (Connective Tissue Massage and Therapy / Myofascial Therapies)
» Neuromuscular Trigger Point Therapy
» Swedish Massage
» Craniosacral Therapy
* Polarity Therapy
* Reflexology
» Myofascial Release
» Prenatal Massage (Pregnancy Massage)
» Shiatsu
» Sports Massage (Sports Lomi Lomi)


Structural Integration

Structural Integration is the generic term for Rolfing, the method of bodywork developed by Dr. Ida Rolf in the 1970's. Its three principles are segments, gravity and plasticity.

  • The body is made of segments (broken down essentially at the joints) that when properly aligned manifest balance with the force of gravity, and this alignment can be achieved because of plasticity – ie, the moldability of tissue.

As well as providing us with the security of not flying off the face of the Earth, we all know that gravity pulls us down; alone and in combination with physical trauma the scales can often tip in its favor (just picture the stereotypical posture of an elderly person).

SI is fundamentally different from the more common top-down approach of chiropracty that treats the skeleton as a series of columns that establish the body's support while the rest of the body's tissues are strapped to these structures (imagine the free standing skeleton or puddle of boneless skin).

It is more accurate to imagine a free standing boneless body or a pile of bones. It is tensegrity - a balanced tension that results from tissue being as relaxed as possible, not hypertonic (overtight and stretched) and not hypotonic (overtight and compressed) - that gives the body its structure (much in the same way that a tent is supported by the tension of the material – take away the material, and the poles fall to the ground).

  • SI works with these connective tissues - essential for balance, movement and support within the field of gravity (if you take them away the skeleton crumbles to the ground) - to improve the body's natural tensegrity and counterbalance the pull of gravity.

  • SI works from the feet, establishing the foundations and moving up through the body, smoothing out the material, the tissue, to maximize the tension potential that allows for balance with gravity.

Taken to the next level this work becomes Awareness Oriented Structural Integration Bodywork, accessing the deeper psychosomatic roots that may underlie any physical restrictions in the body.

Deep Tissue Massage


Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of Deep Tissue Massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue work varies greatly. What one calls deep tissue another will call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate what you are feeling.[2]

Neuromuscular Trigger Point Therapy


Trigger points or trigger sites are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger point practitioners believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots[ambiguous] and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle entirely contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction. 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. Practitioners claim to have identified reliable referred pain patterns, allowing practitioners to associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere.[2]

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation. The development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling, though the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes. The term "Swedish" massage is not really known in the country of Sweden, where it is called "classic massage".[2]

Craniosacral Therapy


Craniosacral therapy (also called CST, also spelled CranioSacral bodywork or therapy) is an alternative medicine therapy used by osteopaths, massage therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors, and occupational therapists. A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, which they say allows them to tune into what they call the craniosacral system. The practitioner gently works with the spine and the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia. In this way, the restrictions of nerve passages are said to be eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord is said to be optimized, and misaligned bones are said to be restored to their proper position. Craniosacral therapists apply it to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, and symptoms of Lyme disease.[2]

Polarity Therapy

Reflexology

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction and accompanying pain and restriction of motion. This is accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.[2]

Prenatal Massage


Prenatal massage is similar to massage during non-pregnancy in terms of the goals (relaxation, pain relief, increased circulation & mobility, etc.). However, due to the changes undergone during pregnancy, modification are made. To accommodate swollen tender breasts and a growing belly, special pillows, positioning and techniques are utilized to ensure comfort for both the expecting mother and baby. With increasing weight, a changing center of gravity and the many other changes associated with pregnancy, prenatal massage can help provide relief and a sense of well being that is much deserved.[1]

Shiatsu


Shiatsu (指圧) ("shi" meaning finger and "atsu" meaning pressure.) is an eastern (oriental) born therapy that uses pressure applied with thumbs, fingers and palms to the same energy meridians as acupressure and incorporates stretching. It also uses techniques such as rolling, brushing, vibrating, grasping and in one particular technique developed by Suzuki Yamamoto, pressure is applied with the feet on the persons back, legs and feet (special set up is required for the "foot" shiatsu).[2]

Sports Massage (Sports Lomi Lomi)


Sports massage
is actually a form of Swedish massage that is delivered to athletes. Most commonly, sports massage focuses on increasing blood and lymphatic fluid flow, reducing and eliminating pain as well as tender trigger points, 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]

[1] Content Copyright ProfessionalPlanets.com LLC dba MassagePlanet.com
[2] Content Obtained from Wikipedia.com.