Massage Glossary

In order to better understand massage technique and the realm of massage arts in general, it is very important to understand the terms used in the field. Read on for a list and brief definitions of many elements of massage. Knowing these will give you a leg up in educating yourself in the ways of massage. Glossary of Massage Terms: Abhyanga: stands for "oil massage" performed by up to three masseuses using various healing oils. Acupressure: is similar to acupuncture. Implements pressure points rather than needles in order to stimulate and open energy meridians (channels through which energy flows) in the body. Amma: focuses on specific points along the body's energy meridians in order to promote balance and overall health. Animal Massage: is for either competition purposes or simply overall health. Animal massage focuses on the complex needs of an animal's specific physical makeup.

Aromatherapy: incorporates the use of scents (usually derived from essential oils or plant essences) into the healing process, often used tandem with massage arts.

Ayurveda: is a 5000-year-old Indian technique used to balance and center. Ayurveda concerns itself with its 5 classification of elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) and 3 body types (vata, pitta, and kapha).

Bach Flower Remedies: is the prescription of flower essences to correct imbalances.Body Mind Centering: focuses on how the body's movements channel and express its mind and spirit. This technique teaches clients to correct bad movements and reposition to allow for better expression and balance.

Body Rolling: uses a Pilates-style ball to stretch and self-massage

Champissage: is an ayurvedic method of head massage.

Connective Tissue Massage: is the predecessor to Deep Tissue Massage, and focuses on the deep layers of tissue and muscle, especially connective tissues.

Cranialsacral Therapy: focuses on the strength and comfort of cranial bones and their relationship to the spinal cord and lower back.

Deep Tissue Massage: probes the deeper layers of the musculature in order to better aim treatment and alleviate chronic pain.

Esalen: combines Eastern and Western techniques with a focus on nurturance.

Feldenkrais: treats poor body posture and movement habits through re-education in how to move and hold one's body.

Geriatric: techniques specifically aimed at the needs of the aging.

Hakomi: is a combination of physical and psychological treatments in order to restore physical health and mental balance.

Hellerwork: treats through the integration of gravity and body alignment.

Hydrotherapy: is the use of water in treatment. Can be hot, cold, pooled, or sprayed, among other forms.

Infant Massage: is the extremely gentle form of touch-massage aimed at babies; can be performed by parents.

Jin Shin Do: involves balance and transfer of chi energy.

Lomi Lomi: is a Hawaiian massage technique involving elbows and forearms to produce long strokes, ideal for relaxation.

Medical Massage: Aims specifically at problems areas in order to promote healing, often prescribed by an MD.

Myotherapy: is a trigger point technique which stimulates points with varying degrees of pressure.

Polarity Therapy: uses touch, diet, and exercise in accordance with the body's magnetic energy fields in order to promote overall balance and health.

Reflexology: targets points on the feet and hands which correlate with other parts throughout the body.

Reiki: channels healing energies through the body via gentle massage.

Rolfing (or Structural Integration): uses deep-tissue massage in order to realign the body with special attention paid to the body's relationship with gravity.

Rosen Method: focuses on breathing, posture, and response to verbal cues to the end that the client becomes aware of unconscious muscle tension.

Seated Massage: often referred to as an on-site massage, a less elaborate acupressure massage given to a fully clothed client, often given in shorter increments, 20 minutes or less.

Shiatsu Massage: is Japanese style massage designed to stimulate the body's energy meridians improving health and stimulating energy and balance.

Sports Massage: is a technique that targets over-used or key muscle prior to, during, and/or after athletic contests and/or practices.

Swedish Massage: uses kneading, rolling, percussion, tapping, and vibration (with oils to downplay friction) in chorus and towards the heart, great for circulation and healing.

Thai Massage: focuses on the body's energy meridians through rhythmic pressing, stretching, and joint movement.

Therapeutic Touch: is when hands are held away from the body (up to six inches) and used to measure energy and imbalance; the hands then transfer energy accordingly.

Watsu: is Shiatsu massage performed on a client in water the same temperature as his or her body.

Zero-Balancing: measures the body's structure, anatomy, and energy, gentle touch and re-alignment are used on a clothed client.