stroke
.
muscles massaged
.
description
.
Effleurage
.
Back, shoulders, legs
.
Long, gliding strokes aimed at relaxing muscles and improving circulation
.
Petrissage
.
Back, shoulders, thighs
.
Kneading and squeezing to break down knots and tension
.
Tapotement
.
Back, chest, thighs
.
Rhythmic tapping to stimulate and energize muscles
.
Friction
.
Back, shoulders, hips
.
Deep circular movements to target deeper muscle layers
.
Vibration
.
Back, legs, arms
.
Rapid shaking or trembling movements to loosen and relax muscles
.
Compression
.
Chest, arms, back
.
Pressing down on muscles to release tension and improve blood flow
.
Trigger Point
.
Back, shoulders, neck
.
Applying pressure to specific points to relieve muscle pain
.
Swedish Massage
.
Full body
.
A gentle, relaxing massage technique aimed at overall well-being
.
Shiatsu
.
Full body
.
Using finger pressure on specific points to balance the body's energy
.
Sports Massage
.
Specific muscle groups
.
Massage tailored for athletes to prevent injuries and improve performance
.
Deep Tissue
.
Deep muscle layers
.
Focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue
.
Myofascial Release
.
Back, hips, shoulders
.
Gentle, sustained pressure to the connective tissue restrictions
.
Hot Stone
.
Back, shoulders, legs
.
Uses heated stones to relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues
.
Thai Massage
.
Full body
.
Combination of acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures
.
Reflexology
.
Feet
.
Applying pressure to reflex points on the feet, hands, and ears
.
Aromatherapy
.
Full body
.
Uses essential oils for relaxation and improved mood
.
Lymphatic Drainage
.
Lymph nodes, arms, legs
.
Encourages natural drainage of the lymph, which helps to eliminate waste from the body
.
Craniosacral Therapy
.
Head, neck, spine
.
Gentle touch to palpate and manipulate the joints in the skull
.
Acupressure
.
Pressure points
.
Involves applying pressure to the same points targeted in acupuncture
.
Reiki
.
Energy centers
.
A form of energy healing that involves a practitioner placing hands lightly on or over the body
.
Tui Na
.
Full body
.
Chinese therapeutic massage involving pushing, stretching, and kneading the muscles
.
Rolfing
.
Deep muscle layers
.
A form of bodywork that reorganizes the connective tissues, or fascia, throughout the body
.
Chair Massage
.
Upper body, back
.
Massage while sitting in a specialized chair, often focuses on back and arms
.
Prenatal Massage
.
Back, legs, abdomen
.
Tailored for the unique needs of pregnant women
.
Bamboo Massage
.
Back, legs, arms
.
Using bamboo sticks to roll and knead the tissue to create an extreme sensation of relaxation and well-being
.
Lomi Lomi
.
Full body
.
A traditional Hawaiian massage technique using long, flowing strokes
.
Balinese Massage
.
Full body
.
Combines gentle stretches, acupressure, reflexology, and aromatherapy
.
Ayurvedic Massage
.
Full body
.
Incorporates herbal oils, steam therapy, and specific massage techniques
.
Hydrotherapy
.
Back, shoulders
.
Using water to relieve pain and treat illness
.
Couples Massage
.
Full body
.
Massage for couples in the same room, each receiving a massage simultaneously
.
Watsu
.
Full body
.
Aquatic bodywork, combining elements of massage, joint mobilization, and shiatsu
.
Ashiatsu
.
Back, legs
.
Using feet to deliver deep, broad pressure
.
Barefoot Deep Tissue
.
Back, legs
.
Uses the practitioner's feet to provide a deep tissue massage
.
Trigger Point Therapy
.
Back, shoulders, neck
.
Focuses on the release of trigger points, or tender muscle areas
.
Neuromuscular Therapy
.
Deep muscle layers
.
Focuses on the treatment of underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems
.
Swedish Gymnastics
.
Full body
.
Incorporates movements and stretches into a traditional massage session
.
Esalen Massage
.
Full body
.
A nurturing form of massage that incorporates long strokes, gentle rocking, and deep breathing
.
Polarity Therapy
.
Full body
.
Involves gentle touch and energy work to balance the body's energy
.
Medical Massage
.
Specific areas
.
Focuses on treating specific medical conditions diagnosed by a physician
.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
.
Lymph nodes, arms, legs
.
Encourages the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries waste products away from the tissues
.
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