Types of Massage Therapy

The many different types of massage therapy offer something for almost everyone, as the best type of massage depends on individual needs and preferences. This page lists primarily Western-based massage therapies. Also see Types of Asian Massage for traditional Asian techniques.

Massage Articles

Aromatherapy Massage combines the benefits of massage and essential oils.

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy uses the feet to provide a deep compression massage. Although based on Thai, Japanese, and Indian techniques, ashiatsu was developed in the West.

Bowen Technique is a pain-relief technique that uses gentle rolling movements to stimulate healing.

Breema Bodywork uses movement sequences that create a rhythm to enhance the flow of energy through the body.

Chair Massage is done with the receiver seated and usually focuses on relieving tension in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms.

CranioSacral Therapy is a technique for correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that cause pain. Strictly speaking, CranioSacral Therapy is not massage, but some massage therapists learn this technique.

Cupping Massage uses negative pressure to deeply massage muscles, based on traditional Chinese cupping technique.

Deep Tissue Massage works to release deep patterns of body tension.

Esalen Massage focuses on the mindfulness aspect of massage and paying attention to the body.

Geriatric Massage works with older adults, being mindful of the bodily changes brought on by aging.

Hot Stone Massage Therapy uses heated stones to combine the benefits of massage and heat.

Injury Massage discusses how massage therapy can help soft-tissue injuries heal.

Jin Shin Do is an energy healing technique that combines acupressure techniques and Wilhelm Reich's body armoring theories.

Lomi Lomi Massage comes from the Native Hawaiian healing tradition.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a specialized technique used to help reduce swelling.

Polarity Therapy views health as a reflection of the condition of the energy field. Therapeutic methods designed to balance the field for health benefit involve energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise, and self-awareness. 

Reflexology is based on the principle that your hands, feet, and ears have reflex points that correspond to every part, gland, and organ of your body.

Swedish Massage uses a variety of classic massage techniques to relax muscles and more.

Sports Massage Therapy helps athletes and regular exercisers improve their workout and potentially prevent and treat injury.

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) releases trigger points, muscle adhesions, and fascial patterns to reduce pain and correct dysfunction.

Visceral Manipulation uses gentle pressure to release tension from the organs and surrounding connective tissue.

Watsu and other aquatic bodywork, including Aquassage, Waterdance, Jahara Technique, and Healing Dance.

For massage therapy information for our animal friends, see Dog Massage and Equine Massage Therapy.

More Types of Massage Therapy

The following types of massage therapy and bodywork are ones I haven't yet written about on this site.

Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy is a system of trigger point massage combined with exercise designed to reduce and prevent pain. See Myotherapy: Bonnie Prudden's Complete Guide to Pain-Free Living.

Myofascial Release uses sustained pressure to release myofascial restrictions, thereby eliminating pain and restoring motion. (Fascia is connective tissue that covers just about everything in the body. Myofascial refers to fascia covering muscles.)

Myoskeletal Alignment Technique, created by Erik Dalton, focuses on the use of strategic deep tissue and muscle activation techniques to correct posture and relieve pain.

NeuroMuscular Reprogramming focuses on reprogramming the body patterns that govern coordinated movement.

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy uses a specific series of cross-fiber movements on the muscles designed to correct damage to soft tissues.

Push Muscle Therapy release tension, increases range of motion, and reduces pain using a Soft Pressure Stimulation technique. Clients also learn self-treatment techniques and posture exercises to use at home.

Soft Tissue Release, developed by Stuart Taws, is a specialized technique that uses stretching, movement, and pressure to create freedom and looseness and reduce pain.

Structural Energetic Therapy® combines specialized cranial/structural techniques, myofascial releases, and energetic balancing to relieve pain by releasing the spiral twist in the body.

Structural integration techniques seek to re-educate the body through movement and touch and systematically release patterns of stress and impaired function. Structural integration techniques require specialized training and are not taught as part of a general massage school curriculum. These techniques include Rolfing, Structural Integration, Hellerwork, SOMA, Aston Patterning, and Kinesis Myofascial Integration (KMI).

Swe-Thai Massage blends traditional Thai medical massage with specific, advanced soft tissue therapies. The Swe-Thai routine was designed specifically by Margie Meshew in 2001 to treat general neck and back conditions.

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