Massage definitions

I get large number of calls and emails each week asking me what are the Different massage techniques. So I thought id most a brief summary of the Different styles of massages out there. Some I offer some I do not..

swedish:
Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (light touch), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), compression, and vibration. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. The development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling though the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes. This is the most popular style of massage.


Deep tissue:
Deep Tissue – Deep Tissue Massage is a massage designed to reach the deep portions of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibers. Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, its purpose is to unstick the fibers of the muscles and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension. This is the second most requested style of massage among therapist..

Sports massage:

This special form of massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization.


Shiatsu:

– Shiatsu, the most widely known form of acupressure, literally meaning “finger pressure” in Japanese, and has been practiced for more than a thousand years in Japan. Shiatsu uses rhythmic pressure from 3 to 10 seconds on specific points along the body’s meridians by using the fingers, hands, elbows, knees, and sometimes feet to unblock and stimulate the flow of energy. A massage may also include gentle stretching and range-of-motions manipulations. Shiatsu is used to treat pain and illness, to relax the body, and to maintain general health.

Hot stone massage:

A stone massage uses stones, sometimes heated, to massage the body. The hardness of the stones allows the therapist to address specific problem areas with more detailed work or deeper pressure. Basalt stones of various sizes, shapes and weights are used throughout and heated in water. Stones need to be kept heated in clean, sanitized water between 120 to 130 degrees. If your therapist is not using rubber gloves, a tool, or mesh bags to remove the stones from the hot water, be cautious of unsanitary conditions. Hot water promotes the growth of bacteria. Water temperatures kept too low may allow the proliferation of bacteria, algae, and mold, especially if the water has not been changed. The best way to get a safe hot stone massage is to inquire how many hours of hot stone training the therapist has received. For massage therapists who are already qualified, a one to three day intensive Stone Massage training course is usually sufficient (as long as class numbers are small). For classes with larger numbers, a five day training course may be required. A two hour video training is not sufficient, no matter what your level of experience.





Sensual:

This massage is designed to use touch for an emotionally pleasing response. Strokes are typically light or moderate, and are not intended to be physically therapeutic. Typically, an atmosphere of relaxation is set through the use of candles and music. The gay massage therapist is often unclothed as well as the client. Unlike Erotic Gay Massage, Sensual Male Massage may not specify climax as a goal. Instead, it is intended to indulge the client and make him feel special. Sensual massage for man is widely offered by untrained practitioners where full-body contact is utilized. The only structured, trademarked variety of Sensual Male Massage is Body Electric. This variety of sensual massage for man is intended to promote positive self-image, and help to reattach a wholesome view of sexual energy within the body. Sensual massage should be discussed prior to the Sensual Male Massage.


Erotic Massage :

Erotic Massage is a combination of a sensual male massage and relaxing bodywork. Not to be mistaken for Sex, Male Erotic Massage can be integrated with any number of legitimate massage techniques or a light body-rub that includes a sexual release by hand. Generally both the Massage Therapist and Client are nude during this experience. Each Massage Therapist has different ‘rules’ on Erotic Massage guidelines so it is important to talk to the therapist about the experience before coming to any conclusions.