Massage Terminology

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy^(R)-combines traditional Asian-style foot massage with traditional Western-style effleurage and deep tissue. The bodywork is delivered by a therapist who mostly uses his/her feet, while balancing using overhead bars, to a client that is on a typical massage table. Though this approach may not be appropriate for everybody, the creator of Ashiatsu, Ruthie Piper-Hardee (deepfeet.com) describes this modality as, "The Deepest, Most Luxurious Massage On The Planet." One try and most clients agree.

Acupressure-the art and science of using direct finger, thumb, and palm pressure to affect change in muscles, nerves, trigger points, and the energy meridians as described in Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory.

Bodywork-the term "Bodywork" is often used to describe massage itself, but also other forms of work (such as stretching, Energy work or Acupressure), that are used on the body, but that don't involve strictly kneading and rubbing the body, per se, as with massage.

Cranio-Sacral – is a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction.

Deep Tissue – releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.

Effleurage-a stroke generally used in a Relaxation massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is applied using both hands.

Energy work-reading and affecting the subtle energy bodies, fields and pathways, such as in Chakra work, Polarity Therapy, or Reiki. 

Friction – is the deepest of massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.

Myofascial Release – is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.  

Reflexology – massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.  

Shiatsu and Acupressure – Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body).

Sports Massage – massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.

Swedish Massage – a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.

Tapotement – is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.

Trigger Point Therapy (also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) – applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.

Zen-Touch^(TM)Shiatsu-a modern form of Shiatsu Massage drawing on Traditional Chinese Medicine and universal energy dynamics, utilizing Acupressure (similar to more traditional Shiatsu), along with stretching and holding (more similar to traditional Thai Yoga Massage), to effect change in not only the physical, but also the energetic body as well. Clients most often cite feelings of deep relaxation, more vibrancy and over-all energetic balance. (This work is performed on a futon mat on the floor, with clients wearing Yoga/workout-type clothing for coverage, warmth and flexibility).