Differences between styles of massage

Tui Na Massage	This Massage style is considered a Traditional form of Chinese Medicine. In combination with Acupuncture, and suggested herbs, this is mainly how China has treated disease for thousands of years although they still use these in combination with Western Medicine today. It is a form that was based on observations and life outcomes with illnesses using various points and treatment patterns. Its considered acupuncture but using hands instead of needles. It also employees yin/yang theory, 5 Element theory, Meridians and Zang Fu organs along with indications of either excess or deficient. These ideas in combination with things such as your nutrition, symptoms you are experiencing/ are used to determine how best to treat you. Using hand rolling, thumb or hand springing, and other techniques on or over areas of discomfort in the body. It is also a very good treatment for structural disorders of joints and neck and back, It is also something that is great for a just injured region of the body although the therapy may be very painful. This type of massage is clothed.
Structural Integration/Connective Tissue Massage	Structural Intigration is a modern name for Rolfing as Rolfiing practitioners had to be taught directly by Ida Rolf. PhD Structural Integration is much like deep tissue sculpting. It requires a time of 30secs plus of melting into the tissue of the body, mainly the connective tissue with heat as to mainly cause thixotrophy. But instead of a practitioner doing lots of phyiscal labor, the client is instructed to do movements as to make the work more effective. This is a wonderful way to regain proper posture, mobility and full functionality of the complete body and all muscle function. This can correct many joint disorders along with flat feet or high arches.
Jin Shin Acutouch	Jin Shin Acutouch Is another style of massage that has had to alter its name because of not being trained by the original practitioners. It was rediscoverd in the Shinto Temples of Japan by Master Jiro Muria in 1912. It is a modality of energy work which involves laying hangs/fingers over 2 specific areas of the body. With gentle pressure. Usually a organ pulse assessment is done prior and a specific treatment for blockages of qi is performed. This is a type of bodywork that can be very relaxing although a client may or may not feel intense releases, energy movement, twitching, colors in there closed eyes. Its purpose is to active the bodies own healing response and balance health. This type of massage is clothed
Reiki	Reiki is a form of energy work. Hands are laid upon the Chakras or parts of the body perceived to require universal energy which we are all the conduit of. This act of being a conduit allows us to direct energy to areas in need were disease or injury may be present. Thus giving you the ability to use the energy to heal. This type of massage is clothed or in combination with other modalities.
Swedish/Circulatory Massage	Dr. Per Henrik Ling developed Swedish massage in the 1700’s. This massage refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles. With warm oil or lotion to increase circulation, this massage uses a combination of touching, kneading, rubbing and tapping techniques to deliver many benefits such as relief of pain, stimulate the circulation and fluid movement, and help remove/eliminate cellular waste. This is the most common technique. This is always done with proper draping techniques mean only the part of the body currently working on is exposed.
Hydro Therapy	This is not a massage technique but a way to enhance the benefits of massage and promote healing. It uses the effects of cold and heat to gain the desired physiological effects on the skin, muscles, organs, connective tissues which may be suffering from a range of conditions. Typically the cold therapy is not done before a massage. Although hot cold contrasting can be done in conjunction with.
Aromatherapy/Essential Oils	This is a therapeutic enhancement to a massage of any style. By the use of the essential oils derived from herbs, plants and flowers that promote the elimination of toxins, calm the nervous system and improve your skins function. Essential oil collections include relaxing, energizing, spiritual and muscular properties, and can be customized to your specific needs. Ask your therapist & select your very own essential oil.
Watsu	This is typically a self massage technique. Performed on a special massage table or in your shower. The use of cold water instead of normal shower temperature being applied by shower or water in cupped hand. There is also a steam variation of this. The idea of stokes starting with feet and then up the legs, hands and up the arms, the pubic bone up toward the heart back and front. It is an awakening experience that stimulates the skin and thus the systems corresponding deep within the body. I can give you more information to do this yourself. Same with Dry brushing of the body to improve skins resilience.
Thai Massage/Nuad Bo Rarn	The traditional Thai Massage is a style of moving lymph/blood by putting pressure on areas of the body and assisting in stretching. It is very much a assisted stretching program that works along organ lines or locations of the body much like other meridian therapies. The massage is clothed. The abdominal and feet work is one of the best things ever created if incorporating it into a monthly massage. Additionally if done 7 days before your menstrual cycle- it may lessen pain and cramp severity.
Deep Tissue Sculpting	Deep tissue sculpting is not deep tissue massage as that meaning more pressure being applied during a circulatory massage. This style is actually very beneficial in releasing tension, or to promote proper functioning of muscles and body awareness. This style does not use oil and is a series of compressions or compress and follow over an area of complaint. Usually do to overuse, past injury or postural issues. This can be done using elbows, a soft fist, finger, knuckle, wrist or foot (feet being less common) Compressions can last from 30secs up to 10minutes.
Hot Stone Massage	Many people probably have seen pictures of Hot Stone Massage. Most incorrectly depict the treatment. Stones are not directly placed on the spine but next to it. This massage style is one of the best I have been trained in and experienced. Some teachers say it causes a feeling much like being stoned but legally. A sense of euphoria is created. If you need deep massage work this is also one of the most effective forms of relief. Stones are placed on various areas of the body and hot stones of various size, shape are used with oil to do the massage instead of a persons hand which overcomes the limited depth of regular massage treatment.


Most Massage Styles below use pieces of basic massage and blend them for there desired purposes	I combine many of the strokes and techniques from the massage/bodywork styles below into my massage sessions depending on a persons needs.
Shiatsu Massage	Much Like Tui Na and Acupressure, this massage style works with Tsubos or Acupuncture points along with massage strokes, fire cupping and Moxibustion to increase movement of lymph and blood circulation or open blockages of Qi.
Lomi Lomi Massage	Is a traditional Polynesian/Hawaiian massage that incorporates a rhythmic dance of the practitioners body into the strokes with oil to bring a awakening, vitality and energy to the senses of the clients body.
Sports Massage	Uses a few other modalities techniques to move fluids to and away from areas of the body someone may be using pre-post sporting event. Also it is a way to increase speed of recover and care for a injury.
Lymph Massage	Is a process of moving lymph in the body toward the heart out of areas were it may become stagnant as fatty tissue does not have muscle to move fluids with movement. The right arm and side of face is moved to the right armpit while the rest of the body is moved toward the left. It is light taping, sweeping strokes.
Acupressure	is very much like Acupuncture and Tui Na although it is a simplified system.
Myofascial release	A way to separate the fascia /skin from the muscle layers as injury or lack of use, stretching can cause the 2 layers to adhere much like a twisting of a point on a sweater. Sometimes done by a technique called skin rolling or different types of massage.
Reflexology massage	Is work most typically done on feet although also done by working on the hands. Each area of hand and foot has a corresponding organ or part of the body and such contact can relax or help heal or reduce pain in the corresponding area.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy	Is a non-invasive hands-on modality to address every system and function of the human body by directly working on brain, spinal cord, Dural membranes and cerebrospinal fluid by using your hands as complex listening tool to the subtle movements of spinal fluid. This is a great clinical treatment for psychological and physical problems or emotional and energetic imbalances.
Trigger point & Neuro Muscular Therapy	There are areas of the body that due to overuse or improper use or injury which hold onto energy or radiate it and make pain arise in another location. The source location not the pain location is what needs to be addressed. Finding the source pain or trigger point that can be activated, alleviated and reactivated at any time by certain activities, weather conditions or other trigger points that develop and then working, holding pressure on it for up to 10secs until something changes. Another aspect to this is working along muscle insertions and origins to break up old scar tissue which may be the cause of pain or injury.
Visceral manipulation	The use of massage techniques such as Oriental Medicine, Reflexology or deep compression to work on organs and there muscles.
Somatic Emotional Therapy	Is the intention of a massage therapist to work beyond the physical muscles, Its a great therapy to add to a psychologists practice. The understanding that the body holds onto every event, emotion, experience the mind and body goes through. And how not understanding and working through them can be harmful to mental and emotion health long term. So this therapy attempts to address them including all the good that comes along with the unwanted negative, bad energy stuck and not released.