Massage Therapy Glossary: Definitions & Terms Related to Massage

Here are a few terms you may encounter while looking for a therapist.

Select a specific term - enter a few letters of the desired term

Acupressure

An acupressurist stimulates same points used in acupuncture with finger pressure, rather than inserting fine needles. Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, acupressure is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, in self-treatment, and in preventive health care.

Acupuncture

Two or more fine needles are inserted through the skin and left in position briefly, sometimes with manual or electrical stimulation. This modifies the way pain signals are received by stimulating the nerves in skin and muscle, increasing the body's release of natural painkillers - endorphin and serotonin - in the pain pathways of both the spinal cord and the brain.

Alexander Technique

A method that works to improve ease and freedom of movement, coordination, support and balance. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities.

Aromatherapy

Focusing on the application and inhalation of 'essential oils' (distilled essences of plants obtained primarily through steam). These are combined with 'carrier oils' (cold-pressed from fruit, nut or seed sources) before being applied to the skin.

Bio-dynamic

The therapist works over the body and locates areas of blocked or depleted energy, by applying her hands to the client’s body, and then corrects the imbalance.

Chair Massage

A massage in a specially-designed chair, with or without oil, often on-site.

Chinese Massage

(see Acupressure.)

Craniosacral

An osteopathic technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause tissue, emotional and postural dysfunction. No oils are used.

Deep Muscle Therapy

Works to stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems to promote cellular repair while removing the hazardous toxins. Aimed at correcting and preventing serious muscle conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson's.

Deep Tissue

A phrase which indicates client-directed area-specific massage, as opposed to relaxation massage. Little or no oils are used to promote access to the deeper muscular and fascial structures, below the surface.

Esalen Tissue Work

Combination of soft and deep tissue techniques, focusing on both the extremities and torso promoting total body awareness and relaxation.

Equine massage

A specialized area of massage therapy for horses.

Healing Touch

An energy exchange therapy during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process and to induce deep relaxation.

Integrative Manual Therapy

Practitioners use advanced and gentle palpation techniques to "listen" with their hands to locate and address specific issues in muscles, joint biomechanics, bones, organs, circulatory, lymphatics, immune, connective tissue, nervous systems, and the bio-energy field.

Joint Mobilization

Mobilization involves moving the joints in a way that you cannot move it yourself. It involves small movements of the actual bone surfaces on each other. There are many different movements of mobilization, some that help to decrease pain and others that help to increase the movement range of the joint. Typically, in physical therapy mobilization is understood as a repetitive passive movement of varying amplitudes of low velocity applied at different parts of the range of motion depending on the effect desired.

Joint Play

The practitioner will move the joints to achieve full, pain-free range of motion with a special stretching technique. This technique is derived from the osteopathic system.

Kinesiology

A diagnostic tool that uses the neuromuscular system and other measurable parameters to aid in evaluating what is wrong, and what to do for a patient.

Lomi Lomi

An ancient Hawaiians healing art utilizing finger, palm and elbow strokes. Kukui nut, macadamia nut and coconut oils are used as lubricants and nutritional moisturizers during the massage.

Lymph Drainage Therapy

A hands-on method for lymphatic drainage involving flat hands, utilising all of the fingers to simulate wave-like movements. This enables the practioner to feel the rhythm of the body fluids to determine the exact pressure, direction and rhythm needed.

Labour Support Provider

provide support through the different stages of labour, emphasizing non-pharmacologic methods of pain relief

Muscle Energy Techniques

Treatments in which a patient, on request, actively uses his muscles from a controlled position in a specific direction against a counter force. These techniques are used to strengthen weak muscles, stretch tight muscles and fascia, mobilise joints in which movement is restricted, and to improve local circulation.

Medical Exercise Therapy

A branch of exercise therapy where the patient performs exercises using specially designed apparatus, without assistance but under the constant supervision of the physiotherapist.

Manual Lymph Drainage

A method for lymphatic drainage involving flat hands, using all of the fingers to simulate wave-like movements. The results include reduction of certain types edema (those resulting from trauma and/or scarring).

Myofascial Release

Stretching of the fascia. The therapist is trained to distinguish how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch, via the feedback given by the patient's body.

Neuromuscular Integration and Structural Alignment (NISA)

NISA works to stretch, free and soften the body's fascia in order to restore function to muscle and joints as the layers of fascia regain their elasticity.

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)

Assessment and treatment of Postural Distortions, Biomechanical Dysfunction, and the Soft Tissue causes of these conditions.

Ortho Bionomy

A non-invasive, osteopathically-based form of body therapy where the practitioner uses gentle movements and positions of the body to facilitate the change of stress and pain patterns. A strong focus is placed on the comfort of the individual, no forceful manipulations are used. The practitioner also suggests home exercises that individuals can do to further facilitate the neuromuscular re-education process begun in the session.

Orthodics

Foot & posture-related corrective therapy.

Orthotherapy

A relatively new profession, focusing on pain relief, relaxation and regaining flexibility. It seeks to align and straighten the body using gentle massage techniques and stretching exercises.

Pilates Exercise

low impact body maintenance program designed to stretch and strengthen muscles, open joints and release tension, resulting in improved posture and ease of movement during daily activities, recreation and sports.

Polarity

health system involving energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise and self- awareness. It works with the Human Energy Field, electro- magnetic patterns expressed in mental, emotional and physical experience.

Psychotherapy

intended to help people who would like to improve their ability to cope with difficulties and problems in their lives

Personal Trainer

A person who creates custom individualized diet and exercise portfolios for the client.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the practice of stimulating the hands and the feet as a form of therapy. observed that congestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body. Thus, when you treat the big toes there is a related effect in the head, and treating the whole foot can have a relaxing and healing effect on the whole body

Reiki

A method of natural healing based on the application of Universal Life Force Energy. The practitioner issues high frequency energy out the hands into another person to corect any imabalnces in the receiver.

Rolfing

Also known as Structural Integration. A system of hands-on connective tissue manipulation and movement education aimed at releasing stress patterns, and helping the client move and function with greater freedom, and effortlessly maintain a more upright posture

Research

Rhythmic Mobilization

The therapist performs a series of movements (rocking and shaking) that are gradually increased and maintained to effect a stretching of tissues, which increases mobilization, and relaxation that prepares the client for massage.

Strain/Counter Strain Therapy

An osteopathic technique which changes the interaction between dysfunctional vertebrae and reduces fascial tension and restores joint mobility.

Shiatsu

An Eastern therapy of physical and energy rebalance. Pressure with thumbs, fingers and palms applied to determined areas and points of the human body, without the use of any mechanical or of another type instrument, correcting internal dysfunctions, promoting and keeping the health and treating specific illnesses.

Structural Integration

A system of hands-on connective tissue manipulation and movement education aimed at releasing stress patterns, and helping the client move and function with greater freedom, and effortlessly maintain a more upright posture

Swedish Massage

Manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Most often performed with oil. Techniques include stroking, vibrations, shaking, effleurage (light long strokes), petrissage (circular manipulation), tapotement (percussive techniqes) and rocking.

Thai Massage

A combination of Yoga stretches, stimulation of the meridians – Acupressure points, muscle massage and Joint manipulation/stimulation.

Trager Therapy

Helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity using gentle, non-intrusive, natural movements,.

Trigger Points

Hyper-irritable areas occurring as small knots in the muscles throughout the body. They can also be felt as painful lumps of hardened fascia/connective tissue, and are painful when pressed. They can transfer pain and tenderness (known as "referral patterns") into the joints and muscles. In some cases, the referred pain (from an active trigger point) can mimic other ailments, like heart attacks or tendonitis.

Therapeutic Touch

An energy exchange therapy during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process and to induce deep relaxation.

Ultra Sound

Visceral Manipulation

A gentle hands-on osteopathic technique that works on the fascia of the abdominal organs, to alleviate points of tension throughout the body. No oils are used.

Zero Balancing

A hands-on bodywork system designed to align your energy body with your physical structure.

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