Massage Therapy Techniques

Swedish massage as a term consists of a group of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body. While massage therapy is applied primarily with the hands, sometimes the forearms or elbows are used.  

Swedish massage uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles. It is used to promote general relaxation, range of motion, and to relieve muscle tension. Swedish massage is the most commonly used form of massage.

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction directed across the grain of the muscles. It is applied with greater pressure and to deeper layers of muscle than Swedish, which is why it is called deep tissue massage therapy and it is effective for chronic muscular tension.

Sports massage uses techniques that are similar to those used in Swedish and deep tissue massage therapy, but are specially adapted to deal with the effects of athletic performance on the body and the needs of athletes regarding training, performing, and recovery from injury.

Neuromuscular massage therapy is a form of deep massage that is applied to individual muscles. It is used primarily to release trigger points (intense knots of muscle tension that refer pain to other parts of the body), and also to increase blood flow. It is often used to reduce pain. 

Joint mobilization consists of small passive movements, usually applied as a series of gentle stretches in a smooth, rhythmic fashion to the individual joints. It involves moving the joints in such a way that a small movement of the actual bone surfaces takes place. Two or more adjacent bones are slowly moved in different directions. Slower movement allows the joint to be taken further, to stretch and massage the connective tissue in and around the joint. Joint mobilization improves mobility in areas that currently have less than normal movement and is regularly integrated into massage therapy treatments. 

Energy work can also be combined with bodywork. Energy work is based on the principle that the body is filled with and surrounded by energy fields which can be manipulated. Practitioners who are able to facilitate change within these energy fields can promote harmony and balance for clients. When a person's energy is blocked or disturbed, that individual may be experiencing a corresponding physical sensation or emotional unease. Energy workers are able to feel the energy in their client's field, and manipulate it in order to eliminate blockages.

*Please note that RMTs are unable to provide RMT receipts for sessions which are purely or primarily Energy Work/Reiki based. *