Typically, a Massage Therapy session will be performed on a massage table, and will include various techniques from some or all of the modalities listed below to best serve the client's needs. Clients can, however, choose a single modality as the basis for their treatment.
Zen Shiatsu, Tui Na Acupressure, Reflexology, and Reiki are performed with the client fully clothed.
Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lomi Lomi, and Sports Massage are performed with the client undressed to their comfort level, with only the area being massaged undraped during the treatment.
SWEDISH
Swedish Massage involves the use of oils or lotions, and the use of hands, forearms, or elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of muscles. Characterized by long, gliding strokes, as well as both active and passive joint and limb manipulation. Light to firm pressure can be used depending on the preference of the client.
Swedish Massage is performed on a massage table. Client will undress to his/her comfort level, and will have only the area being massaged undraped during the treatment.
ZEN SHIATSU
"Shi" means "Finger," and "atsu" means "pressure." Shiatsu then translates as "Finger Pressure."
Shaitsu is a style of bodywork originating in Japan, but traces its lineage to Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the state of one's health depends largely on the regulation of life-force energy ("chi") throughout the body. During a Shiatsu treatment, pressure is applied to specific points along energetic pathways known as Meridians, to ensure the body's internal energy is circulating freely. Blockages in the flow of chi are thought to be the precursors to illness in the body.
Zen Shiatsu, specifically, is a version of Shiatsu that incorporates the use of elbows, knuckles, and knees, in addition to the traditional thumb and palm pressure. The addition of the word Zen reflects the mindset of the practitioner, and encourages a strong and calm spiritual connection with the client.
Shiatsu is performed with client fully clothed, on a futon-type mat.
DEEP TISSUE
Deep Tissue Massage refers to deep, localized pressure designed to manipulate the deeper muscles and connective tissue (fascia), and release pain and tension. Deep Tissue techniques require the practitioner to work slowly as they use a combination of finger, palm, forearm, and elbow pressure to sink through the superficial muscles (those closest to the surface), without damaging them. Once safely through the top layers, the therapist can then assess and manipulate the deeper tissue to restore mobility and ease tension.
Deep Tissue is performed on a massage table. Client will undress to his/her comfort level, and will have only the area being massaged undraped during the treatment.
TUI NA ACUPRESSURE
"Tui" means "push," and "Na" means "grasp."
"Acupressure" is pressure applied to specific points.
Tui Na is China's version of physical therapy. As with Shiatsu, Tui Na is based on stimulating and regulating the flow of energy through the body. The techniques in Tui Na are most well-suited to addressing specific injuries, and uses specific acupressure points to bring focus and healing to the area.
Tui Na Acupressure is performed while client is sitting in a chair, or lying on a massage table, depending on the area being worked on. Client is fully clothed.
LOMI LOMI
Lomi Lomi is Hawaiian for Massage. The techniques used in Lomi Lomi are as much spiritual as they are mechanical. This style is characterized by long, flowing strokes that emanate from the heart of the practitioner. Lomi Lomi provides compassionate, loving care to ease tension, and renew the spirit.
Lomi Lomi is performed on a massage table. Client will undress to their comfort level, and will have only the area being massaged undraped during the treatment. This may include larger areas of the body being undraped as Lomi Lomi utilizes longer strokes that continue from shoulders to feet, one side of the body at a time.
SPORTS
Sports Massage uses various techniques to reduce muscle tension and correct postural imbalances to keep athletes working at their best. It can also be used to address specific injuries often seen in competitive endeavors, such as hamstring issues and shin splints.
Sports Massage is performed on a massage table. Client will undress to his/her comfort level, and will have only the area being massaged undraped during the treatment.
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is a massage techinque primarily used on feet, hands, and ears, which can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Asia, Egypt, and India. Modern reflexology was developed in the 1930's by a physical therapist named Eunice Ingham. Eunice based her work partly on Dr William H. Fitzgerald's "Zone Therapy," in which physiological changes, most notably pain relief and improved health, were affected by applying pressure to specific points within vertical "zones" of the body which correlated to specific areas of pain and illness.
Eunice tested her theories on hundreds of patients before she published her first book on the subject, "Stories the Feet Can Tell." In this book she explains that there are "reflex" areas on the hands and feet that correspond to the organs of the body, and these reflex areas can be used to treat the interconnected body part.
Reflexology uses hand and finger pressure applied to specific areas of the client's hands and feet, providing deep relaxation and the restoration of balance in the body.
Reflexology is performed on a massage table or recliner-type chair, with client fully clothed.
REIKI
"Rei" means "spiritual guidance," and "Ki" (Japanese spelling of "Chi") means "life-force energy."
Reiki translates as "Spiritually guided life-force energy."
Reiki was founded in 1922 by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist, after a spiritually enlightening experience on the sacred Mt. Kurama in Japan. The practice consists of laying hands on the client in a series of positions moving from head to toe. This whole body treatment is used to balance the internal energy system, and provide Universal Life Energy to areas of the body that are in distress.
Reiki is practiced on a massage table with the client fully clothed.
