ACUPRESSURE (also known as Shiatsu): Uses the hands,  fingers or feet to apply gentle pressure to specific points on the skin’s  surface in order to release muscle tension, increase blood circulation and  bring about healing. Uses the same points on the body that acupuncture uses.

CONNECTIVE TISSUE: Uses light, repetitive strokes that focus on warming  the tissue located between the skin and muscle tissue.

CROSS FIBER FRICTION: Uses deep, sloping friction, along the grain of  the muscle. Believed to help restore mobility, remove toxins from muscle  tissue, and relieve tension.

DEEP TISSUE: Uses slow strokes and direct pressure or friction techniques that follow or go across the grain of tight layers of deep muscle tissue. Believed to be helpful for relieving chronic muscular pain and reducing  inflammation related to arthritis and tendonitis.

ESALEN: Uses a combination of soft/light, slow, rhythmic, strokes to  induce a state of deep relaxation. Believed to reduce stress and pain, improve  sleep, aid in the digestive process and promote healing.

HOT STONE: Uses smooth, heated basalt stones that are placed on specific  acupressure points of the body while other stones are used as tools to smooth  muscle tissue and relieve tensions and stress. Known for its ability to provide  deep relaxation, sensations of warmth, relieve pain and help bring balance back  to the body, mind and spirit [not available at all locations].

INJURY CARE: Uses a combination of specific techniques that can include  cross-fiber friction, stretching, and other movement therapy. Believed to  reduce and eliminate pain by preventing scar tissue formation in injured area.

JOINT MOBILIZATION: Uses slow, rhythmic movements combined with  stretching to move a joint in desired direction. Believed to increase and  restore range of motion in joints and surrounding soft tissue.

LOMILOMI: Uses two handed, forearm, and elbow to deliver continuous,  flowing, broad strokes that cover larger areas. Cross fiber friction techniques  also used. Somewhat similar to Swedish Massage.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE: Uses slow, gentle pressure and rhythmic movements to  increase the rate of action within the lymphatic system. Believed to be helpful  in boosting the immune system, removing excess fluid from muscles, and speeding  recovery from some injuries involving swelling.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE: A form of deep tissue massage. Uses prolonged  stretching strokes to relieve tension in the fascia (a network of  interconnected tissue located throughout the entire body that surrounds cells,  organs, and entire systems).

NEUROMUSCULAR: Uses finger pressure to apply deep pressure and  manipulation to the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons and connective  tissue). Assists with balancing the central nervous system (brain and spinal  cord) with the muscular and skeletal systems. Believed to relieve muscle spasms and pain by releasing trigger points (knots of muscle tension that refer pain  to other areas of the body).

PRE / POST NATAL: Uses specific techniques and positioning of client to  accommodate pregnancy. Believed to assist in reducing swelling and fatigue,  enhancing energy, and relaxing the nervous system.

REFLEXOLOGY (also known as zone therapy): Uses the fingers to apply deep  pressure to specific reflex points on the hands and feet that correspond to specific organs of the body. This technique is believed to trigger the body’s  natural healing abilities by stimulating and restoring flow of energy to affected organs and pathways.

SEATED CHAIR: May use a combination of Swedish, Shiatsu, and other  techniques while client remains clothed and seated in a specific type of chair  designed for massage. Focuses on muscles of the back and neck areas and is  intended largely to induce relaxation.

SHIATSU:  see Acupressure

SPORT: Uses particular techniques delivered at specific times before,  during, and after training routines. Believed to relieve or reduce muscle  soreness and recovery periods, prevent and treat injuries, promote flexibility,  and reduce inflammation. May combine multiple techniques including Swedish  Massage, cross-fiber friction, pressure point, and others.

SWEDISH: Uses a combination of long, smooth, kneading and friction  strokes applied to superficial layers of muscles. Believed to increase  circulation of blood throughout tissues resulting in increased energy.

TRIGGER POINT / MYOTHERAPY: Uses fingers, knuckles and elbows to apply  deep pressure to specific “trigger points” or knots of muscles tension that  often refer pain to other areas of the body. Believed to relax muscle spasms,  improve circulation and reduce pain.