Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue, etc.
Please note that not all students perform all modalities.
Swedish Massage/Relaxation
Swedish massage is the most common form of general relaxation massage. It can either be performed on the whole body, or customized to focus on particular areas. The overall goal is to help the body relax and relieve general stress. Swedish massage is typically performed on bare skin using lotion or oil. The client is covered by a sheet throughout the session; only the area of the body being worked on is uncovered.
Swedish massage is recommended for clients looking for general relaxation and stress reduction.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is deliberate, focused work that is used to address specific issues such as tightness, pain, injury, limited mobility, stiffness, poor posture, etc. Generally, deep tissue massage is performed on specific areas of the body, based on the client’s particular needs. Deep tissue massage is typically performed on bare skin using small amounts of lotion. This type of massage can be intense at times. Sometimes “deep tissue” is misused to mean a massage performed with sustained deep pressure, but this is not the case. This modality includes a combination of deeper and lighter techniques. Techniques designed to achieve an overall goal of increasing mobility and decreasing pain or stiffness.
Deep tissue massage is recommended for clients who want to address specific areas of pain or injury.
Prenatal Massage
Massage during pregnancy is typically soothing and relaxing, similar to Swedish massage. Based on the client’s requests, a prenatal massage can be customized to help reduce low back pain, ease heaviness in the feet and legs, or provide general relaxation. The massage is typically done on bare skin, using lotion or oil. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, the client may be positioned lying on her side. Using a variety of cushions supports her while keeping pressure off the abdomen. If you are pregnant you will need to obtain written approval from a health care provider prior to receiving prenatal massage.
Prenatal massage is recommended for clients who want support in reducing pregnancy related discomfort.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release uses a variety of techniques to stretch the fascia (connective tissue surrounding the muscles). The goal is to decrease pain, improve posture and increase range of motion. The types of techniques used generally include stretching and rolling the skin, stretching limbs and moving limbs while gently pulling on them. Myofascial release is typically performed on bare skin using little or no lotion.
Myofascial release is recommended for clients who are interested in achieving more flexibility and better posture.
Trigger Point Therapy/Neuromuscular Therapy
Trigger point therapy uses a variety of techniques to address and prevent chronic pain caused by hyperirritable spots in muscles. These trigger points can cause pain and tenderness right at the spot. They can also radiate pain to larger regions of the body. This type of massage includes locating these trigger points, and then applying specific types of pressure to help the trigger points release. Trigger point therapy does require the client to work closely with the therapist throughout the session. The process includes manageable pain during the release of the trigger points. This type of massage is typically performed on bare skin using little or no lotion.
Trigger point therapy is recommended for clients who are interested in addressing chronic pain.
Tui Na
Tui na is a hands-on body treatment that uses Chinese Taoist principles in an effort to bring the body into balance. The practitioner may brush, knead, roll, press, and rub the areas between each of the joints. This attempts to open the body’s defensive chi (Wei Qi) and get the energy moving in the meridians and the muscles. Techniques may be gentle or quite firm. The name comes from two of the actions: tui means “to push” and na means “to lift and squeeze.” Other strokes include shaking and tapotement, a tapping technique. The practitioner can then use range of motion, traction, with the stimulation of acupressure points.
These techniques are claimed to aid in the treatment of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, as well as many non-musculoskeletal conditions.