Massage is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, improve circulation and relieve tension. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therape ...

Including:

• Massage - Massage Basics
• Massage - Communication
• Massage - Pressure
• Massage - Types of massage
• Massage - Breema
• Massage - Chair massage
• Massage - Chinese Tui Na massage 推拿
• Massage - Chinese Zhi Ya massage 指壓
• Massage - Deep muscle therapy
• Massage - Deep tissue massage
• Massage - Erotic massage
• Massage - Foot or sole massage
• Massage - Lomilomi — Traditional Hawaiian Massage
• Massage - MA-URI massage
• Massage - Myofascial release
• Massage - Myoskeletal alignment technique
• Massage - Neuromuscular therapy
• Massage - Scalp massage
• Massage - Shiatsu 指圧
• Massage - Stone massage
• Massage - Structural muscular balancing
• Massage - Swedish massage
• Massage - Tantramassage Tantric massage
• Massage - Thai traditional massage
• Massage - Trigger point therapy
• Massage - Massage therapist organizations
• Massage - The ABMP
• Massage - The AMTA
• Massage - The AMTWP
• Massage - The CMTA
• Massage - The CMTO
• Massage - The CSMTA
• Massage - The NCBTMB

Read more here: » Massage: Encyclopedia - Massage

CONNECTIVE TISSUE MASSAGE

Also known as bindegewebsmassage, these techniques are designed to specifically affect the connective tissue of the body. Connective tissue massage was developed in Germany by Elizabeth Dicke. After diagnosis of a serious medical problem, she experimented with different types of massage on herself. She found when she applied light pressure through the skin and connective tissue in one area of the body, there was a related effect at a distant site.

From Alternative Healing, by Hugh Burroughs and Mark Kastner: “The technique consists of the massage therapist subtly hooking her fingers into the skin and superficial connective tissue while performing a dragging or pulling stroke that somewhat stretches the skin. Connective tissue massage leaves a visible mark that looks somewhat like an abrasion or burn, but which goes away without leaving a scar.”

In Germany, it is considered a physical therapy technique; in many parts of Europe, it is considered a medical technique. In the United States, connective tissue massage is taught in many massage schools.

(See also: CONNECTIVE TISSUE MASSAGE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Bindegewebsmassage (bindegewebsmassage system, connective tissue massage): Form of bodywork developed in Germany in the 1930s by Elisabeth Dicke. Its theory resembles that of traditional acupuncture, positing a powerful association between particular areas of connective tissue (e.g., cartilage) and specific paths of the nervous system and internal organs.

(See also: Bindegewebsmassage, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

In alternative medicine, body work or massage therapy refers to any treatment which involves some form of touching or physical manipulation. It refers to massages or the application of pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), what was used, and why it was used in the United State ...

Read more here: » Body work alternative medicine: Encyclopedia - Body work alternative medicine

Massage therapy: General term for a range of manual approaches to enhance relaxation, elevate mood, reduce blood pressure, decrease pain and heighten immune responses. It involves the practice of kneading or otherwise manipulating a person’s muscles and other soft or connective tissue.

(See also: Massage therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

LOOYEN WORK

Developed by Ted Looyen, this technique is a painless approach to deep-tissue therapy, working with the connective tissue and fascial components. It is a combination of several restructuring systems, including Rolfing, postural integration and Aston-Patterning.

(See also: LOOYEN WORK, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

NAPRAPATHY

With influences from osteopathy and chiropractic, this system of treatment uses soft-tissue manipulation to release tension and balance energy flows in the body.

The practitioner uses palpation to explore the tissue, looking for rigid, contracted areas of the body. He then begins repetitive, rhythmic, thrusts to gently stretch the contracted connective tissues.

Sessions usually last 30 minutes, focusing mainly on the ligaments near the spinal column. Diet, exercise, and postural adjustments help improve circulatory and nervous system function.

(See also: NAPRAPATHY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Manipulation:

a term used in connection with the therapeutic application of manual force. Spinal manipulation, broadly defined, includes all procedures in which the hands are used to mobilize, adjust, apply traction, massage, stimulate, or otherwise influence the spine and nearby (paraspinal) tissues with the goal of positively influencing the patient's health.

(See also: Manipulation, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

GRUBERwork: Form of bodywork promoted and practiced by Susanne Gruber. it is a combination of connective tissue massage, Reichian emotional release, Rolfing, and Yoga movement repatterning. GRUBERwork restores the body's natural energy flow.

(See also: GRUBERwork, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

FASCIAL MOBILIZATION

The fascial system is one continuous, laminated, connective-tissue sheath that spreads without interruption throughout the entire body in a three-dimensional web.

Fascial mobilization allows therapists to locate and address restrictions in the fascial system which are causing asymmetries, postural malalignment, abnormal tensions, and pressures that can lead to pain and dysfunction. The goal of fascial mobilization is to produce a well-balanced, symmetrical, and mobile body within the skeletal, soft-tissue, and craniosacral systems.

(See also: FASCIAL MOBILIZATION, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MOVEMENT THERAPY

A variety of techniques that utilize movement re-education and proper body mechanics in combination with massage or soft tissue manipulation.

After observing the client, the therapist will determine which corrective measures are necessary to accomplish specific goals. Active client participation is important while the practitioner uses verbal instruction, hypnosis and imagery, deep muscle and connective tissue manipulation, and mobilization in the movement re-education process.

Registered practitioners may include graduates of The Feldenkrais Method, the Alexander Technique, and other movement-based disciplines.

(See also: MOVEMENT THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

BIOSYNC

Nerve impingement in cross-linked connective tissue is a major cause of chronic and sports-associated pain. Through trauma (injury), compression, tension, free-radical damage, pollution, and more, cross-linking of connective tissue is formed. These threads of connective tissue adhere to adjacent strands, thereby decreasing range of motion, reducing joint space, impinging nerves, and generally shortening the body.

The BioSync method releases collagen cross-linking by unwinding these locked and hardened strands, thereby restoring the body’s length, flexibility, and function, and allowing regeneration and revitalization of the whole system.

The BioSync method, developed by Mark Lamm, NMT, is a sophisticated system of neuromuscular rehabilitation and re-education and has been successful with a wide range of muscular and trauma-related challenges. It is complementary with existing medical and rehabilitative procedures.

(See also: BIOSYNC, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

BINDEGEWEBSMASSAGE

This technique is based on the theory that any disruption or imbalance in any portion of the body affects the entire system, specifically the autonomic, central nervous, and hormonal systems. Any disruption in any of the body systems will affect the entire organism, both physiologically and psychologically.

Bindegewebsmassage is a specific, advanced technique intended to assist in the rehabilitation of pathologic conditions. The theory of this technique extends to the belief that certain areas on the body’s surface correlate to specific internal organs manifesting the disruptions with an increased sensitivity of certain skin areas called points. See also Connective Tissue Massage.

(See also: BINDEGEWEBSMASSAGE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MANUAL LYMPH DRAINAGE

The strokes applied in manual lymph drainage are intended to stimulate the movement of the lymphatic fluids in order to assist the body in cleansing. This is a gentle, rhythmical technique that cleanses the connective tissue of inflammatory materials and toxins, enhances the activity of the immune system, reduces pain, and lowers the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The most widely taught and generally accepted form of this technique was created by Dr. Vodder of Austria and requires advanced training and precise movements.

(See also: MANUAL LYMPH DRAINAGE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

HOLOGRAPHIC MEMORY RELEASE

This is a powerful and subtle technique, developed by Charles Daily, D.C., which allows the holographic memory release practitioner to quickly locate specific holographic touch points which are referenced to the individual’s on-going process.

As in reflexology, where the entire body is represented on the foot, these touch points correlate to whole-body microsystems. Through very light and specific digital contacts, a piezoelectric effect is created within the crystalline connective tissue memory system for instantaneous memory reframing. This self-assembly process enhances subtle self-observation within the individual. It increases individual somatic awareness and releases self-limiting beliefs and tension patterns which have been stored within the body/mind continuum.

A 15-minute holographic memory release session spontaneously generates coherent waves of cellular resonance in the connective tissue matrix and releases information log-jams that can rob the individual of necessary vital capacity.

(See also: HOLOGRAPHIC MEMORY RELEASE, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

LaSTONE THERAPY

Stones of all shapes and sizes and varying temperatures, ranging from zero to 140 degrees, are used during LaStone massage therapy to elicit physical healing, mental relaxation, and a spiritual connection to earth energy.

Warm stones encourage the exchange of blood and lymph and provide soothing heat for deep-tissue work. Cold stones aid with inflammation, moving blood out of the area, and balancing male/female energies.

Stones are placed in varying positions on the body for energy balancing or may be used by the therapist for specific trigger-point work. The alternating heat and cold of thermotherapy brings the entire body into the healing process, with a rapid exchange of blood and oxygen and alternating rise and fall of respiration rate as the body seeks homeostasis.

LaStone therapy requires less effort from the practitioner’s own body and delivers healing warmth to the hands, benefitting the therapist, as well as the client. Founder Mary Harrigan drew from the wisdom of ancient healers in using thermotherapy as the basis for her approach.

(See also: LaSTONE THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

TOUCHABILITIES

Developed by Iris Burman and Sandy Friedland, TouchAbilities Essential Connections is a universal skill set and philosophy for bodywork practitioners. This skill set includes the core techniques that are common to all modalities, incorporating physical manipulation of soft tissue as well as dynamic interaction with the body’s mental and energetic fields.

Philosophically based on the idea that the body is a multidimensional blend of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual qualities, TouchAbilities encourages an “in the moment” dialogue between bodies to support optimal function.

Its objective is to identify areas where actions, waves, and flows are obstructed or distorted and to apply techniques that re-establish a more functional dynamic.

(See also: TOUCHABILITIES, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

Based on the discoveries of Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons in which they found the causal relationship between chronic pain and its source, myofascial trigger point therapy is used to relieve muscular pain and dysfunction through applied pressure to trigger points of referred pain and through stretching exercises.

These points are defined as localized areas in which the muscle and connective tissue are highly sensitive to pain when compressed. Pressure on these points can send referred pain to other specific parts of the body.

(See also: MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINT THERAPY, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)

Cranio-Sacral Therapy

is a manual therapy which addresses distortions in the structures of the spine, skull, sacrum and associated connective tissue. It is most often employed by physical therapists and chiropractors to treat pain, stress, and limitations of movement.

Cranoisacral Therapy combines ancient healing arts with traditional cranial osteopathy. You lie on a massage table in your own clothes; you feel the warm, healing energy from the therapist's hands as you let go of long-standing tension in your neck, shoulders, arms, torso, legs, feet, and the delicate areas of your face, cranium and spine.

(See also: Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION

Based on the work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf, structural integration is based on the idea the entire structural order of the body needs to be realigned and balanced with the gravitational forces around a “central vertical line” representing gravity’s influence.

Therapeutic intervention is directed toward the myofascial system - the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and surrounding connective tissues.

A practitioner of structural integration has a 10-session cycle of work - they use different angles and degrees of physical pressure to stretch and guide fascia to a place of easier movement. The process is not intended to “cure” symptoms; its goal is to create a more resilient, higher-energy system free of inhibitions due to past trauma.

See: Rolfing.

(See also: STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION, Alternative Health, Massage, Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul)