Acupressure

Acupressure is a technique derived from acupuncture. With acupressure physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices.

Aromatherapy Massage

Essential oils are applied during the massage to induce a physiological state desired by the clients. Different oils deliver different results because of the properties in each essential oil plant.

Ayurvedic massage

Ayurveda is a natural healthcare system originating in India. Ayurvedic massage is usually performed by one or two therapists using a heated blend of herbal oils based on the ayurvedic system. 

Back massage

Massage to the area of the back, specifically to relieve pain or tension in this common area to carry stress and pain.

Balinese massage

Balinese massage techniques are gentle and aim to make the patient feel relaxed and calm. The techniques include skin folding, kneading, and stroking, among others. The massage therapist applies aromatherapy oil during the massage.  Balinese hot stones are sometimes used during the massage.

Barefoot deep tissue massage

Barefoot deep tissue - also known as barefoot sports massage - is a blend of Eastern barefoot techniques on clothed clients using no oil. This modality typically uses the heel, arch and/or whole plantar surface of the foot, and offers large compression, tension and shear forces with less pressure than elbow or thumb. It is ideal for large muscles, such as in the thigh, or for long-duration upper trapezius compressions. Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, which is a form of barefoot effleurage, combines western science and contemporary American ingenuity, for therapists who specialize in deep tissue work using their feet.

Bowen therapy massage

Bowen technique involves a rolling movement over fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. It is said not to involve deep or prolonged contact with muscle tissues as in most kinds of massage, but claims to relieve muscle tensions and strains and to restore normal lymphatic flow

Breema massage

Breema bodywork is performed on the floor with the recipient fully clothed. It consists of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches.

Cellulite massage

Cellulite massage is used to reduce the appearance of cellulite. This treatment can include a deep kneading of the area with honey, or a tight wrapping of coffee on the area as well as oriental cupping , which can be used to effectively decrease the appearance of cellulite. The results will last so long as diet, exercise and continued treatments are a part of the client's regime. Cellulite reduction cream may be applied after the treatment.

Champissage massage

Champissage is a massage technique focusing on the head, neck and face. It is believed to balance the chakras.

Chinese cupping massage

Chinese cupping is a massage technique that employs the use of suction devices on the body that are either made of rubber or glass. The glass suction cups use suction to various degrees based on how much or little the therapist fires the inside of the cup. The heat becomes a vacuum. While traditionally cupping has been used to draw toxins to the area, which results in dark purple or red circles resembling bruises on the skin, a well-versed modern cupping therapist can utilize the equipment for deep tissue massages, temporary facelifts, and cellulite reduction massage, among others.

Couples massage (friends massage, mother-daughter massage)

Massage given to two people at once in the same room, by two separate Massage Therapists. Often the tables are side by side. 

Diamond massage

Diamond massage is a relatively new treatment and a favorite of celebrities before red-carpet events. This bodywork treatment provides a deep relaxing massage simultaneously with exfoliation from diamond particles being rubbed and massaged into the skin. The particles are then collected with a magnet and the massage is finished with the application of "diamond" lotion.

Deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve tension in the muscle and the connective tissue and fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located deep below the body’s surface. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury.

Esalen massage

Esalen massage works with gentle rocking of the body, passive joint exercises and deep structural work on the muscles and joints, together with an energetic balancing of the body.

Lomi Lomi massage

Lomi Lomi is the traditional massage of Hawaii. As an indigenous practice, it varies by island and by family.

Infant (baby) massage

Massage of babies and infants performed with special care to areas such as the cranial soft spot and use of minimal range of motion. Massage has been thought to increase the speed of development in premies and babies.   

Manual lymphatic drainage

Circular motion is applied to the lymph nodes to stimulate the lymph system. Afterwards a  feather-light application to the skin in the direction towards the heart is applied to decrease swelling, inflammation and move any toxins present through the lymph system and out of the body. Commonly used as a treatment after surgery to reduce swelling and achieve faster healing. 

Medical massage

Massage used in the medical field. 

Mobile (on-site) massage

Given some of the main benefits of massage, many people prefer to have a therapist come to them to perform the treatment, as opposed to visiting the therapist. Among other things, this type of treatment has the benefits of allowing the recipient to remain in their own environment where they are most comfortable, to avoid the stresses and costs of traveling to the therapist to receive their massage, and of course to retire directly to a place of rest immediately following the massage. Therapists will bring a massage table with them on which to perform the massage. Mobile (or outcall) massages are particularly popular in big cities, where life can be more hectic.

Myofascial release

Myofascial release refers to the manual massage technique for releasing bonds between fascia and muscles with the goal of eliminating pain and  increasing range of motion (ROM). Myofascial release usually involves applying compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling. 

Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is a type of massage that works by addressing the following six physiological factors which can intensify pain patterns. They are:

Trigger points - Trigger points are highly irritable points in the nervous system.

Nerve entrapment/compression - When a nerve gets pressed constantly between the surrounding structures, it can lead to an acute kind of chronic pain.

Postural distortions - Postural distortions result in underdevelopment of the supporting muscles and thereby lead to their weakening.

Nutrition - Lack of adequate nutrition to the cells leads to an overall weakening of the entire system.

Ischemia - In a condition such as Ischemia, the cells and tissues get a reduced blood supply and as a result are under-nourished.

Stress - Stress plays havoc with the functioning of the nervous and musculoskeletal system.  

Prenatal (Pregnancy Massage) 

Massage specially designed to support and protect the fetus through positioning of the mother's belly and avoidance of certain areas of the body. Pregnancy massage provides relief to the expecting mother from pain and discomfort caused by changes in the body during pregnancy.

Reflexology

Reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that relate to every organ, gland, and system of the body.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is an eastern therapy that uses pressure applied with thumbs, fingers and palms to the same energy meridians as acupressure but incorporates stretching. It also uses techniques such as rolling, brushing, vibrating, grasping and in one particular technique, foot Shiatsu, pressure is applied with the feet on the person's back, legs and feet. 

Sports massage

Tapotement and other rapid massage techniques are applied to the body combined with a range of motion stretching to prime an athlete's body and increase blood flow to the muscles immediately preceeding a sporting event or game.

Stone massage (hot stone massage)

A stone massage uses cold or water-heated basalt stones to apply pressure and heat to the body. Stones coated in oil can also be used by the therapist delivering various massaging strokes. As the stones are placed along the recipient's back, they help to retain heat which then deeply penetrates into the muscles, releasing tension

Swedish massage

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. The term "Swedish" massage is not really known in the country of Sweden, where it is called "classic massage".

Thai massage

Thai massage originated in India. This technique combines massage with yoga-like positions during the course of the massage; the northern style emphasizes stretching while the southern style emphasizes acupressure.

Trager approach

The Trager approach combines movement, massage and education.

Trigger point therapy

Sometimes confused with pressure point massage, this involves deactivating trigger points that may cause local pain or refer pain and other sensations, such as headaches, in other parts of the body. These points relate to dysfunction in the neuromuscular junction (in muscle), and therefore this modality is different from reflexology, acupressure and pressure point massage.

Watsu 

Watsu is the combination of hydrotherapy and shiatsu. The work is done in skin temperature water with both the therapist and client in the water (usually a shallow pool). The work entails much movement in the water and practitioners believe that it incorporates the activation of the energy lines derived from Shiatsu.