There are well over 150 different types of massage therapy. Various styles of massage have developed from a number of sources.
Swedish Massage
This style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. Swedish massage is designed to increase circulation and blood flow. There are six basic strokes: effleurage, pettrisage, friction, tapotement, compression and vibration. Oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. This style of massage is generally attributed to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics teacher Per Henrik Ling
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Each person experiences pressure differently. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement. If the pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten to protect that area.
Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point is an area of a muscle that refers pain sensations to other parts of the body. Trigger Point Therapy applies pressure to these points leading to immediate release of tension and improved muscular functioning. This work is based upon the trigger point research and manuals of Dr. Janet Travell.
Sometimes this work is incorporated into other styles of massage therapy such as neuromuscular therapy (NMT).
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is used for pain relief and specific problems. Structural and postural imbalances are identified through an initial postural assessment. These are then addressed through systematic and site specific massage. NMT reduces pain, tension, postural imbalance, and lengthens and strengthens tissues. NMT was developed by Paul St. John.
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique (MAT) identifies postural distortions to improve and prevent pain conditions. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and myofacial techniques are used to lengthen tight/facilitated muscles while fiber activation techniques tone weak/inhibited muscles.
Structural Muscular Balancing
A gentle and effective technique that releases chronic contraction in the muscles. The nervous system is triggered to release contractions through compression applied to muscles placed in a shortened position.
Breema
Breema bodywork is performed on the floor with the recipient fully clothed. It consist of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches which leads to deep relaxation, increased vitality, and stimulation of the self-healing processes of the body. Sessions can be any length of time, although 50 minutes is common. There are also self-Breema exercises.
Thai Massage
Thai Massage is an interactive manipulation of the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure along energy lines. These movements help to
adjust the skeletal structure
increase flexibility
relieve muscular and joint tension
stimulate internal organs
balance the body's energy system
The effect is uniquely relaxing as well as energizing. Receiving a Thai massage is a bit like doing yoga without putting forth any effort while also getting acupressure treatments!
Ancient Thai Massage
Also known as passive/assisted yoga or Thai bodywork, it is usually soothing because of its emphasis on stretching and loosening the body. It is also known as Ancient massage because its roots go back far into history, originating in India and then becoming popular in Thailand.
The patient changes into pajamas and lays on a firm mattress on the floor. (It can be done solo or in a group of a dozen or so patients in the same large room.) The practitioner leans on the patient's body using the forearm to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the patient body. No oil is applied except sometimes to the patient's palms and soles. A full course of Thai massage lasts anywhere from one to two hours including pulling fingers, toes, ears etc., cracking the knuckles, walking on the patient's back, arching the patient's back in a rolling action etc. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage. Sometimes in a large group massage, the practitioners do the procedures in unison.
Chinese Zhi Ya & Tui Na Massage
Zhi Ya is a form of Chinese massage based on acupressure. It is similar to Tui Na massage except it focuses more on pinching and pressing at acupressure points.
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage that is similar to Zhi Ya, but focusing more on pushing, pulling and kneading the muscle.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage based on acupressure. It is uncertain whether it originated from Chinese Zhi Ya.
Reflexology Foot Massage
Also known as reflexology foot massage, as practiced by the Chinese is performed in the context of chi, in that each spot on the sole of the foot corresponds to an internal organ, and the applied therapy is healing to one's overall well being. The theory supposes that an ailment of an internal organ will be associated with the nerve ending on the sole of the foot.
Before the massage, the patient's feet are soaked for about ten minutes in a foot bath, typically a dark colored solution of hot water and Chinese herbs. The massage therapist uses liberal amounts of medicated cream, to moisturize the foot and to provide lubrication. The knuckles on the therapist's hand are usually used to provide a hard and smooth implement for the massage. As pressure is applied to the sole, theory holds that a healthy patient should not feel any strong pain. Painful spots, reflexologists believe, reflect illnesses of other parts of the body. The practitioner rubs and massages the painful spots to break down rough spots and accumulated crystals and increase circulation.
The ailments are healed when the sore spots of the sole are treated and removed by massage. Based on this theory, some shoe liners are made with pressure points to stimulate the soles of the feet to promote better health of the overall body. The nature of these "crystals" has yet to be elucidated or demonstrated scientifically. Regardless of the actual correlation of reflexology to internal organs, many enjoy it for the mix of stimulation and relaxation.
Aguila,
Ajo, Why,
Alpine,
Amado,
Apache Junction,
Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Queen Valley,
Arivaca,
Arizona City,
Arlington,
Ash Fork,
Avondale,
Bagdad,
Bapchule,
Bellemont,
Benson,
Bisbee,
Black Canyon City, Rock Springs,
Blue,
Blue Gap , Pinon ,
Bouse,
Bowie ,
Buckeye,
Bullhead City,
Bullhead City ,
Cameron,
Camp Verde,
Carefree ,
Casa Grande ,
Casa Grande, Eleven Mile, Eleven Mile Corner,
Cashion ,
Catalina ,
Cave Creek,
Cave Creek ,
Chambers ,
Chandler,
Chandler ,
Chandler Heights ,
Chandler, Sun Lakes,
Chinle,
Chino Valley,
Chloride ,
Cibecue ,
Cibola,
Clarkdale,
Clay Springs ,
Cochise,
Colorado City ,
Concho,
Congress ,
Coolidge,
Cornville,
Cortaro ,
cott,
Cottonwood,
Crown King ,
d,
dale,
Dateland,
Dennehotso ,
Dewey,
Dolan Springs,
Douglas,
Douglas ,
Dragoon ,
Eagar,
Ehrenberg ,
El Mirage,
Elfrida,
Elgin,
Eloy, Toltec,
Flagstaff,
Flagstaff ,
Florence,
Florence ,
Forest Lakes ,
Fort Apache ,
Fort Defiance ,
Fort Huachuca ,
Fort Huachuca, Sierra Vista,
Fort Mcdowell, Scottsdale,
Fort Mohave ,
Fort Mohave, Bullhead City,
Fountain Hills ,
Fountain Hills, Scottsdale,
Fredonia,
Gadsden ,
Ganado,
Gila Bend,
Gilbert,
Gilbert ,
Glendale,
Glendale ,
Glendale, Luke AFB,
Golden Valley, Kingman,
Goodyear,
Grand Canyon ,
Gray Mountain ,
Green Valley ,
Green Valley, Madera Canyon,
Greer,
Hackberry ,
Happy Jack, Flagstaff,
Hayden ,
Heber,
Hereford, Palominas,
Higley,
Holbrook,
Hotevilla ,
Houck ,
Huachuca City,
Hualapai ,
Humboldt ,
Indian Wells ,
Iron Springs ,
Jerome ,
Joseph City ,
Kaibeto ,
Kayenta ,
Keams Canyon ,
Kearny,
Kingman,
Kingman ,
Kirkland, Peeples Valley,
Kykotsmovi Village ,
Lake Havasu City,
Lake Havasu City ,
Lake Montezuma ,
Lakeside,
Laveen,
Leupp ,
Litchfield Park,
Littlefield ,
Lukachukai ,
Luke AFB, GBAFAF, Glendale,
Lukeville ,
Lupton ,
Mammoth,
man/Lake Havasu City,
Many Farms ,
Marana,
Marble Canyon,
Maricopa, Mobile,
Mayer, Bensch Ranch, Cordes Lakes, Spring Valley,
Mcnary ,
McNeal,
Meadview,
Mesa,
Mesa ,
Mohave Valley,
Mohave Valley ,
Mormon Lake, Flagstaff,
Morristown,
Mount Lemmon ,
Munds Park ,
Naco ,
Nazlini ,
New River, Phoenix,
Nogales,
Nogales ,
North Rim ,
Nutrioso ,
Oatman ,
Oracle,
Overgaard ,
Page ,
Palo Verde,
Paradise Valley, Scottsdale,
Parker,
Parks ,
Patagonia,
Paulden,
Peach Springs,
Pearce, Sunsites,
Peoria,
Peoria ,
Petrified Forest Natl Pk ,
Phoenix,
Phoenix ,
Phoenix, Anthem, Desert Hills,
Phoenix, CTC,
Phoenix, New River,
Picacho ,
Pinedale ,
Pinetop,
Pinon ,
Pirtleville ,
Polacca ,
Pomerene ,
Poston ,
Prescott,
Prescott ,
Prescott Valley,
Prescott Valley ,
Prescott, Groom Creek,
Quartzsite ,
Queen Creek,
Queen Creek, Chandler Heights,
Red Rock ,
Red Valley ,
Rillito ,
Rimrock,
Rio Rico, Nogales,
Rio Verde, Scottsdale,
Rock Point ,
Roll,
Round Rock ,
Sacaton ,
Sahuarita,
Saint David,
Saint Johns,
Saint Michaels ,
Salome,
San Luis ,
San Manuel,
San Simon, Paradise, Portal,
Sanders ,
Sasabe ,
Scottsdale,
Scottsdale ,
Second Mesa ,
Sedona,
Sedona ,
Seligman ,
Sells, Pisinemo, Pisinemo Trading Post,
Shonto ,
Show Low,
Show Low ,
Sierra Vista,
Sierra Vista ,
Skull Valley ,
Snowflake,
Somerton,
Sonoita,
Springerville,
ss,
staff,
Stanfield,
Sun City,
Sun City ,
Sun City West ,
Sun City West, Sun City,
Sun Valley ,
Supai ,
Superior,
Surprise ,
Surprise, Sun City,
Surprise, Sun City, Sun City West,
Tacna ,
Taylor ,
Teec Nos Pos,
Tempe,
Tempe ,
Tempe, Arizona State University, ASU,
Tempe, Guadalupe,
Temple Bar Marina ,
Tolleson,
Tombstone,
Tonalea,
Tonopah,
Topawa ,
Topock,
Tortilla Flat ,
Tsaile ,
Tuba City ,
Tubac ,
Tucson,
Tucson ,
Tucson ,
Tucson, Oro Valley,
Tucson, Saddlebrooke,
Tumacacori,
up, New Mexico,
Vail, Corona, Corona de Tucson, Santa Rita, Santa Rita Foothills,
Valentine CPO ,
Valley Farms ,
Vernon ,
Waddell,
Wellton,
Wenden ,
White Mountain Lake ,
Whiteriver ,
Wickenburg,
Wickenburg ,
Wikieup ,
Willcox ,
Willcox, Ft Grant,
Williams,
Willow Beach, Kingman, White Hills,
Window Rock ,
Winkelman, Dudleyville,
Winslow,
Wittmann,
Woodruff ,
Yarnell ,
Youngtown,
Yucca ,
Yuma
There are well over 150 different types of massage therapy. Various styles of massage have developed from a number of sources.
Also known as reflexology foot massage, as practiced by the Chinese is performed in the context of chi, in that each spot on the sole of the foot corresponds to an internal organ, and the applied therapy is healing to one's overall well being. The theory supposes that an ailment of an internal organ will be associated with the nerve ending on the sole of the foot.
Before the massage, the patient's feet are soaked for about ten minutes in a foot bath, typically a dark colored solution of hot water and Chinese herbs. The massage therapist uses liberal amounts of medicated cream, to moisturize the foot and to provide lubrication. The knuckles on the therapist's hand are usually used to provide a hard and smooth implement for the massage. As pressure is applied to the sole, theory holds that a healthy patient should not feel any strong pain. Painful spots, reflexologists believe, reflect illnesses of other parts of the body. The practitioner rubs and massages the painful spots to break down rough spots and accumulated crystals and increase circulation.
The ailments are healed when the sore spots of the sole are treated and removed by massage. Based on this theory, some shoe liners are made with pressure points to stimulate the soles of the feet to promote better health of the overall body. The nature of these "crystals" has yet to be elucidated or demonstrated scientifically. Regardless of the actual correlation of reflexology to internal organs, many enjoy it for the mix of stimulation and relaxation.